25. David's Fighting Equiptment

David’s Fighting Equipment

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his wallet; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17. 40.

David’s fighting equipment was different from that of his opponent. At first he was tempted to dress up in King Saul’s armor and fight sword against sword. However, he quickly dismissed this plan with the words “I can not go with these, for I have not proved them” (1 Samuel 17. 39). He would, no doubt, have made a better impression upon all present had he come dressed as his opponent. But battles are not won by good appearances. David resolved to use only that which he himself possessed. “He took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out the brook, and put them in his shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his wallet; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.”

“He took his staff.” What would his purpose be to take such a thing into battle? David had decided to maintain his identity as a shepherd. He would not pretend he was someone else. He was not ashamed to be known as a mere shepherd. Perhaps his staff was all that he possessed. If so, he would take all that he had with him into the battle. Then, too, he would need his staff after the struggle was over to help him on his return from the field. Thus it was an act of faith that caused him to take his staff along.

He “chose him five smooth stones out of the brook.” Stones—what strange ammunition! Yet, not so strange. They were hard, so they could penetrate deeply; smooth, so they would carry straight to the mark; and plentiful, so he could choose as many as he desired. What a perfect picture of the ammunition that is at the disposal of every Christian! What is more solid than the Word of God? What shoots as straight and to the heart as the Scriptures? And what is more plentiful than the Word? The Word can be carefully chosen, and used for protection as in David’s case, or it can be neglected and trampled under foot.

“His shepherd’s bag.” This was a gift from his mother. In this he had a place to store his carefully chosen stones. How necessary to have a shepherd’s bag in the day of battle! A Christian must also have access to a store of carefully chosen Bible verses, He must have them within easy reach, for not a moment can be lost in fumbling for them in the day of battle. Our Father has given us just such a bag. We call it our hearts. What we store in our hearts, we have in easy reach. The Psalmist could say, “Thy word have I laid up in my heart” (Psalm 119. 11). Oh, for grace to fill our hearts with such ammunition!

“His sling was in his hand.” He came prepared to hurl the carefully chosen stones at his enemy. No ammunition is any good unless used. A “sling” is therefore essential if the stones shall find their mark. They must leave at lightning speed before the enemy has time to strike his death blow. The sling must therefore be carried so that it can be put to instant use. We, too, have been given a “sling.” It is our voice, our gift of speech, our Christian witness. Thereby we can meet our opponent with God’s Word. Satan rejoices when our testimony is aimless, when we speak forth meaningless words. Such ammunition never hurts him. It may, however, injure our fellow men. Oh, friend, this is a day of battle. Life and death are in the balance. Our enemy is ready to hurl his deadly darts. Carefully check your “sling” and have it ready.

David had all the equipment necessary for this fight. He did not need to run hither and thither to look for more. God would use what he had no matter how simple and foolish it looked to others. After all it was not his equipment that was so important but God who would bless and use it. Every child of God has been provided with ample equipment. This is a day to use what God has given us. The zero hour has come. The battle is on. “Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6. 13).