Easy. Just one.
…Probably.
If everything goes according to plan.
But… whose plan?
And that’s where faith gets complicated.
David had absolute confidence that God would help him defeat Goliath, because the giant had “defied the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:36). The victory was as good as won, because he was fighting this battle “in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel” (verse 46).
And yet he grabbed five stones.
Not one. Five.
Why?
Didn’t he have faith?
Of course he did. He was the kid getting ready to fight a giant while the trained soldiers were cowering back at camp. But faith is a multilayered thing.
David knew God would grant him the victory. But he didn’t know how many stones it would take to get there. And faith had to live in both of those worlds—trusting God unreservedly while not always knowing His plans.
Faith is stepping into the arena with a giant, trusting that God will help you fell him in a single throw.
Faith is also stepping into that arena with extra ammo, just in case God has a different series of events in mind.
Faith is knowing that God can do everything.
Faith is also knowing that God might ask you to do anything.
How many stones does it take to kill a giant?
Faith tells us one is enough.
But it also tells us to bring five, just in case.
Wait … wasn’t there 5 leaders of the Philistines, Goliath being just one of them? (i.e. 1 Samuel 6:16-18) I’m not sure if it was a ‘just in case the first few didn’t work’, but rather, in case God gave the whole Philistine nation into David’s hand … an even bigger indication of how much faith David had, just in case.
I’ve heard variations of that theory before, but the trouble is that there’s not really anything to support them besides the number five.
I don’t know of any evidence that Goliath was a Philistine lord. He was their champion in the battle but that’s not the same thing.
There’s a similar idea that Goliath had four brothers and David was ready to fight all those (based on 2 Sam 21/1 Chr 20), but those all appear to be much later in the story, there’s no indication David even knew they existed when he fought Goliath, and only one of them is clearly listed as Goliath’s brother.
To me, that’s really stretching the text. It’s an interesting theory, but there’s no evidence besides a number—doesn’t really hold up under scrutiny for me.
Nice! Yet another thing in my brain that “I’ve been told, but haven’t researched” that could roll several different ways because the bible doesn’t make it clear the purpose/connection. Five is definitely a bit much for ‘just in case’ … but then again my expertise with ‘killing lions and bears with a sling’ is a bit lacking 😉 Just see my hiking backpack, and I’m usually a little too just-in-case than I actually should be …
I believe he chose 5 stones as Goliath had 4 brothers. There was a possibility they would come after David in a revenge killing. Goliath’s brothers are listed in 2 Sam 21:15-22–David eventually killed them, too. Here is a sermon by my husband on the subject.
https://cogministries.org/message/five-giant-killers-september-14-2019/
What a helpful sermon! Please extend my appreciation to your husband. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you, Jeremy. You have put it so beautifully. It just shows how important preparation is WITH our faith in God. May God give us all the right vision and holy understanding and wisdom to know how to go forward every day, that His Will be done. Wishing you all a Holy and meaningful Sabbath.
Thank you for the insightful lesson on faith and preparedness.
I found this week’s Sabbath Thoughts to go well with the chapters we are reading in Read & Reflect. How prayer, preparation and faith all go together along with seeking God’s will in our lives individually and collectively as God’s Church.
About those five stones… Goliath had four brothers. David went prepared to put in a long day at the office, if needed. That’s faith in abundance.
I’m grateful to be seeing Sabbath Thoughts regularly again.. Welcome back! May God continue to bless and inspire your contributions to our collective growth.
Michael
I really appreciate this perspective. David knew God would deliver Goliath into his hands, yet he didn’t know how long it would take or what would be required of him. So, he was prepared to fight. There are plenty of examples of God delivering David (or other kings) through a long, hard battle. Sometimes God makes it easy, but very often not. We have to be willing to participate, even if it takes a long time.
I’ve often heard the idea that Goliath had four brothers as the reason David picked up five stones, and while that I love how poetic that idea is, there’s nothing in the Bible that says that. But there is a LOT in the Bible that says we need to be willing to fight for salvation, while trusting God to provide the victory.
Thank you!
I appreciate the insights and yes faith and being prepared are not mutually exclusive, but rather support each other.
On the other hand there may be another explanation for the 5 stones … Goliath had brothers?
Here is the poem I wrote some years ago on the topic:
https://www.minds.com/RebeccaStewart/blog/five-smooth-stones-1214989840983142400
Five smooth stones
shaped, worn, polished
tumbled to perfection
calmly, quietly awaiting
their mission
You might think to hear some talk
that all the wars are won
the battles are all over
there’s no fighting to be done
The youth with but a moment’s
reflection stoops warily and
gathers with a knowing glance
the ones that will do the job
We do not face Goliath
nor hear his taunting shout
no risk, no threat, no danger
to concern ourselves about
Agile and supple he springs
across the stream, careful
of his footing yet intensely
focused on his mission
How easily we fool ourselves
as if greatness comes to fore
only in the fiery forge
the crucible of war
Alert to the danger, but
inured to the taunts,
singlemindedly stalking his prey
his eyes steady, unwavering
It isn’t swords or sabers
the skills of well-trained men
wise tactics or maneuvers
that see a struggle’s end
Alone, but confident, secure
knowing the power, skill,
strength beyond his own to
see the missile meet its mark
It takes but five smooth stones
a sense of right and wrong
the will to stand and speak
to rise above the throng
Nimble fingers grasp the
smooth round stone, sinewy
arms swirl with dizzy speed
the aim is straight
When the weak are battered
bruised, bearing ridicule’n scorn
who’s standing in the gap,
giving strength to the forlorn
Five smooth stones were
ready, hewed, honed fit
for the task, but only one
was needed⎯this time
Whether cowardice or courage
cruelty or compassion
it’s a day to day decision
the character we fashion
In the stream of life, the
churning, spinning, grinding
of stone against stone prepares
us for our day as heroes.