Giants in the Earth, Part xvi, David and Goliath – Goliath’s Head . . .

Giants in the Earth

Part xvi

David and Goliath

The Head of Goliath

   In the last few weeks I have heard, or read, more comments about David and Goliath from various sources than I have ever heard or read before in ALL of my long life. People merely state ‘as in David and Goliath’ and then continue on with their statement as many do not have a clear understanding about David and Goliath except for the concept of the underdog winning. I can understand that with all the evil and aggressive corruption that we are surrounded by daily, it appears as if Goliath is winning. The giants of pharmaceutical industries, the scheming and hypocritical giants of politics, the giants of the falsely so-called news media are all cunningly plotting together to overthrow our nation in order to retain their power.

Note: If you are wondering why this article about David and Goliath is posted under The Genesis Epic instead of in the 1st book of Samuel, it is because the first article of Giants in the Earth began in the book of Genesis. (If this is the first time that you have clicked onto this site and to this particular series of Giants in the earth, I suggest that you either go to the first article  or to the beginning of David and Goliath .)

   Of course, you have heard that ‘the soul’ of our nation is at stake, and it is. However, there is a greater conflict, and there is a greater battle than the battle for your nation; this is the battle for YOUR soul. The battle between David and Goliath in 1st Samuel Chapter 17 was not only a physical battle, but it was also a spiritual conflict between two opposing forces and powers: God and His man, and Satan and his man. The tactics and strategies that Satan and his slaves have always used are revealed through this battle in 1st Samuel Chapter 17.

   The fifty-eight verses of the book of 1st Samuel Chapter 17 contain so many spiritual and historical threads that I find it difficult to focus on just one thread that can be used to unite other threads together.

—— ♦ ——

The Philistines

Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim. (1st Samuel 17:1)

   Let’s do a little background work on the name ‘Philistines.’ The name means ‘a wallowing,’ with a primitive root of ‘to roll,’ ‘to wallow or roll in the dust.’ There is also another root meaning of being ‘migratory.’ We can definitely connect this to back to Cain and his offspring of giants. 

   Although the word ‘Philistines’ is recorded in two hundred and eighteen verses ( 218) in the Bible, it is only recorded in this major battle twelve times (12) in eleven verses. If you would like to know more about the Philistines (as a collective group) I encourage you to follow this link to a previous article. https://thegenesisepic.com/the-rephaim/

—— ♦ ——

Historical Synopsis of the Philistines

   Know YOUR adversary. Understand the origin, the character, the motivational force that energizes and sustains YOUR enemies because YOU are the prize in this battle of the seen and of the unseen. The Philistines were an ancient people, but as all ancients their social and tribal actions are quite contemporary and relevant to the issues and actions of our age.

   The following references are divided into sections so that may aid you to understand how the Philistines of the ancient past connect to the Philistines of our current age. The tribal name of ‘Philistine’ has changed, but the heart of the ‘Philistine’ is the heart within all unforgiven, unrepentant, and sinful mankind; it is the heart of the first murderer, the heart of the first natural born rebel. (Adam was the first rebel, however, he was not born from a woman, but formed from the dust of the earth).

And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. (Genesis 21:27)

Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them. (Genesis 21:31) Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. (Genesis 21:32) And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. (Genesis 21:33) And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days. (Genesis 21:34)

   These verses were selected to show when the people called ‘the Philistines’ first were introduced in the Bible. Their king was titled Abimelech (my father is king). As the title of Pharaoh was the king of Egypt, the title of Abimelech was the king over the Philistines, and all who were named Abimelech were joined to the Philistines through this title. We also have the reference in Genesis 21:32 that at Beersheba Abraham entered into a covenant of peace with the Philistines. Also note that we have another name not seen before, the name of Phichol (mouth of all) who was the chief captain of his host. Not only was Phichol the spokesperson for all of the Philistines, but he was also the head of the Philistines armies. His military presence speaks volumes in Genesis Chapter 21. This was a crucial meeting between Abraham and Abimelech.

And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: (Genesis 21:22)

Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned. (Genesis 21:23)

And Abraham said, I will swear. (Genesis 21:24)

And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. (Genesis 21:25)

And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day. (Genesis 21:26)

   At this peace conference both Abraham and Abimelech formed an understanding that was based on the realization and acceptance by the Philistines that God is with thee in all that thou doest. The Philistines had an organized military force, but Abraham had the greater force because God is with thee in all that thou doest. The conflict between Abraham and Abimelech centered around life itself: water, as all conflicts center around the maintenance of life. Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. The heart of ALL Philistines is to take possession of what does not belong to them. In the physical realm it was water, however, in the spiritual realm it is usurping what belongs to God and to His people. The Philistines (in our age) continue their innate trait of taking what does not belong to them. Their particular theft has always been to remove the message of spiritual water from mankind which is everlasting life through the cleansing and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by the blood of Christ. Yes, this theft was the beginning of the GREAT STEAL. This is what was stolen from the Church, and from all of mankind: the truth of everlasting life, the cleansing and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit of God, and the living water from the Son of His Love: Jesus Christ. This steal was slyly implemented through centuries of a serpentine course set by false religious leaders. (As the Jewish leaders deliberately led their sheep away from the truth of the Old Testament Scriptures for centuries, so too, the religious serpents of deceit in the age of the Church have also lead and continue to lead the sheep of God into the path of another gospel, and of another spirit.) The GREAT STEAL stole the truth and replaced truth with traditions and opinions. Instead of everlasting life we have various degrees and platforms of accomplishments and payoffs. Instead of the gift of the Holy Spirit of God received, individuals now pay and buy the Holy Spirit of God for a time period. (I have personally witnessed this action). We now have indulgences, and the position of Jesus Christ over His blood bought Church has been usurped by evil treacherous men. Yes, the Philistines stole the water!

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5)

Jesus  verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)answered, Verily,

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.(John 4:10)

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (John 4:13) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26)

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.(Revelations 22:17)

   As men return to dust from whence they came, and centuries seem to dissipate into the dry pages of the obscurity of time, the Scriptures tell us much more about the Philistines. The original peace covenant between Abimelech and Abraham had been removed from the minds of the Philistines. (As most anything can be removed from the minds of men when greed, and lust for power become the impelling force behind the control of minds.) There is one thing that the Philistines did remember and that was God is with thee in all that thou doest. The sustaining power of Israel was God was with them, however, because of Israel’s rejection of God, God rejected them, and He loudly proclaimed ICHABOD: the glory has departed. God allowed the Philistines to conquer over Israel and to remove the ark of God, and He allowed His Ark to be brought it into the house of Dagon, and to be set by Dagon. This would be a very costly lesson for both Israel and for the Philistines. No one, no nation, nor any earthly power is ever allowed to treat the glory of God irreverently. And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer (the stone of help) unto Ashdod (I will spoil). (1st Samuel 5:1) When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. (1st Samuel 5:2) And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months. (1st Samuel 6:1) If you have never read the thrill of the power of God against His enemies, read 1st Samuel Chapter 6. Notice it is the number six again. Man just cannot escape the number 6 being tied to his being. Once again, the innate trait of the Philistines is shown in their attempt to steal the glory of God away from Israel.

Side Note: The GREAT STEAL: We (in the United States) are living today in the GREAT STEAL. In the political realm of the Philistines (that is the Marxist/Communist Uniparty) the GREAT STEAL is their coordinated effort to inject fear into this nation by a ‘controlled pandemic’ (the pandemic is real, however the statistics are manipulated and controlled); and therefore, through a controlled and organized resistance our Philistines create an incorrect projection of social unrest.’ Next, the GREAT STEAL will be to falsify and legitimatize a fraudulent government through voting fraud coup and confusion. The Philistines know how to STEAL, they have had a lot of practice, but they are not practicing now because THIS IS THE GREAT STEAL. (I am writing this article on Sept. 3, 2020.) ♦ End of Side Note: The GREAT STEAL.

   After the GREAT STEAL of water, the next act by the Philistines was to place the Ark of the Covenant in their pagan temple right next to their god Dagon in the city of Ashdod. Consequently, the next GREAT STEAL was to attempt to degrade the power and majesty of God and set His glory on an equal footing with man’s desire for a god of his own making. Herein is the GREAT STEAL of the glory of God.

   The Church has been victimized by the Philistines within its pulpits, within its theological institutions, and within its removal of the Word of God being replaced by another word. I really do not want to get into defining what is a Church and what is not a Church; therefore, I will attempt to simplify it by saying that the Church of God is the Body of Christ. It is Supernatural in its origin, in its Supernatural maintenance, and through its Supernatural power. What is called ‘the Church’ today is not a Church; a building cannot be a Church. A building has never been a Church. It is merely a place, a physical location where members of the Body of Christ join together to worship their Lord and Savior. Every church building can burn to the ground, and it will never affect the validity of the Body of Christ. If anyone believes that they cannot worship God or function in life with spiritual strength without their building then they need to deeply search their hearts, and to examine whether they are in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.

   The Philistines have already STOLEN and redefined the things of God. Over all the buildings that we call ‘churches’ there should be another name written: ICHABOD, the glory has departed. I truly realize that this is a very hard thing to come to grips with; however, it is true. Don’t believe me, nor accept what I have written, but believe the Spirit of God in the Spirit of Christ.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14)

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (Revelation 3:15)

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17)

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:18)

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:22)

   Do not say, Not my Church! It is not YOUR Church! Do not say, the Church of God will never fail, for the Church of man HAS already failed. Can you not see, and discern the difference between a church built on man, and for man, and the Supernatural Church built Supernaturally on Christ alone? It is only the Body of Christ that is built on Christ alone that will never fail!

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)

   Let us move on to the next GREAT STEAL by the Philistines: the Word of God. Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make [them] swords or spears: (1st Samuel 13:19) But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. (1st Samuel 13:20) The Philistines removed all weaponry from the Israelites (by doing away with those who were skilled craftsmen in metallurgy) and allowed only digging and grubbing tools: the tools of slavery. Look at these verses and understand the physical, political and spiritual implications of this particular GREAT STEAL. The sad part (as it relates to us in our age) is that we have aided our enemies, our Philistines, to do this to us without much of a whimper. You can put the physical and political dots together, just allow me to concentrate on the spiritual devastation that this GREAT STEAL has caused the Church. We (the possessing Church – not the professing Church) have not taken seriously the importance of our weapon. We have not defended our weapon. We have not sharpened our weapon. We have not used our weapon, and therefore, we have lost the powerful use of our weapon. Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel. Those who were or who are skilled and gifted by the Holy Spirit of God in Bible teaching and preaching (Scripture smiths) have been replaced with wordsmiths, wordmongers, hacks, and propagandists with a social gospel. Once gifted preachers and teachers (by the Holy Spirit) are rejected then the Word of God is no longer sharpened and honed, and the Church is left with a falsely balanced sword in the Word of God. Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make [them] swords or spears. I do not care how much you believe that the visible Church is strong in the use of the Word of God, the visible reality is that it is an army so weak that it cannot even lift a butter knife never mind the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (2nd Timothy 4:3) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2nd Timothy 4:4)

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (Titus 1:14) Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (Titus 1:15) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16)

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4)

   Attending Church has become more important than attending to the Word of God. Being a member of a building has become more important than being a part and a member of the Body of Christ. You can’t defend the Word because you don’t want to. You may call yourself a Christian, but you should call yourself a Churchite. Click me off, but this is the truth . . . you are a victim of the GREAT STEAL.

    Since I have been a bit insulting to some, let me not stop now . . . besides stealing what else were the Philistines good at and what are OUR Philistines good at besides stealing? Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and [are] soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.(Isaiah 2:6) And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. (Zechariah 9:6) The end result of stealing water, and weaponry leaves the broken spirit without truth, hope, and faith in the living God. Examine some key words and phrases: soothsayers . . . they please themselves in the children of strangers . . . a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and the pride of the Philistines. The result of the loss, or the theft, and substitution of spiritual water and the removal of the Word of God from our lives has brought forth the leader of all Philistines (Satan) in the rise and popularity of Satanism. Finally, from the shadows of denial that Satan is an entity, scores upon scores of immature  confused haters of God are turning to Satanism.

   The immature remains immature without the Word of God. The confused remain confused without the foundation of the Word of God. The haters will remain haters without experiencing the love of God because they have rejected God and His Christ. The unsaved and unrepentant are searching for something more than what they see and have. They are searching not for a church that attempts to draw them with an elaborate sound system, or for another showman who can jump around and up and down, or play a guitar, and spout off ‘J e e Z U S . . . J e e Z U S’ while in one hand they hold a mic and in the other hand they tightly clutch their collection plate,  but the true searchers seek Truth and Reality in an environment that celebrates lies and insanity. Satanism draws many seekers to the false and evil supernatural.

   Perversion and acts of pedophilia are other tentacles of the Philistines — they please themselves in the children of strangers. The sexual abuse of children is too hideous to describe in words, yet we should not turn away from the reality of what humanity has done to its own. Within this phrase we see another hideous evil that we hide from — they please themselves in the children of strangers. The children of strangers (stolen children by stealers of men) are the joy of the Philistines. Yes, can we not appreciate how the evolution of humanity is a downward plunge. (I use the word ‘evolution’ as sarcasm.) Stop believing the lie that mankind (either through religion or social change) can create a utopian existence within a body and a mind controlled by a twisted sinful soul.

   The last mention of Philistines in Scripture is found in Zechariah 9:6, And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. I love the straightforward writing of the Holy Spirit of God, He certainly does not leave much left written in the shifting sands of expression, nor does He need more letters in the alphabet to add to His knowledge of nouns, pronouns and adjectives.

   Ashdod was the city of the temple of Dagon where the Philistines attempted to degrade the Ark of the Covenant of God. One of the assurances that we are blessed with is the knowledge that the Scriptures have been written by the breath of the Spirit of God. The most brilliant human mind would never have been able to join the city of Ashdod together with the Philistine character and then tie a nice little bow to it all and present it to us as a gift. Ashdod means ‘I will spoil,’ and this is what the stealer does; he spoils, stains and tarnishes everything he touches, he leaves nothing of beauty behind, he does not improve, nor does he build. (The GREAT STEAL is organized around the Marxist hateful concept of leaving nothing worth building on) here is the GREAT STEAL of the character of the Philistine, and of OUR Philistines who burn, tear down, ravage, and spoil; discredit history, spoil children, demoralize families, subvert authorities and government, blemish goodness and kindness. And from a spiritual eye, the Philistines, then and the Philistines now, have worked tirelessly through the ages to spoil and disannul the glory of God (the Ark of the Covenant) in every manner. Since all Philistines reside in the city of ‘I will spoil’ (Ashdod) the simplicity of the gospel message has been spoiled, the power of God and His majesty has been tainted, the blood of Christ has been trampled on and stained, the unity of the Godhead has been shattered through the Philistine attacks against God and His people . . . although all that I have written is true remember that the gospel message will always be heralded, the power of God and His majesty can never be tainted, the blood of Christ still washes, cleanses and sanctifies, and the Godhead can never be shattered because the foundation of God standeth sure.

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2nd Timothy 2:19)

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35)

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (Romans 8:36)

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:37)

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (Romans 8:38)

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)

As the whirlwind passeth, so [is] the wicked no [more]: but the righteous [is] an everlasting foundation. (Proverbs 10:25)

   And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. Scripture does not record this verse as ‘bastards,’ plural, but single. This word has many descriptive elements to it, such as, ‘illegitimate,’ ‘abnormal in shape or size,’ ‘inferior,’ and that which ‘lacks authority,’ or that which is ‘false.’ Everything about the Philistines can be described in this one word — bastard. The origin of the Philistines can be traced to Ham, then Canaan, then into Egypt, then back into the land of promise where they are first seen in the peace treaty with Abraham in Genesis. As they evolved in name, they degraded into the nemesis of all that was related to the living God and to the people of God, until . . . today at this moment in time, they are called ‘men of the clothe,’ ‘religious scholars,’ ‘pious teachers,’ and finally ‘ministers of righteousness.’ The water stealers are in the pulpits. The weapon stealers are in the pulpits. The pedophiles (the stealers of children) are in the pulpits. Behold, the Philistines (the proud bastards — ‘illegitimate,’ ‘abnormal in shape or size,’ ‘inferior,’ and that which ‘lacks authority,’ and that which is ‘false’) are in the pulpits; and the Churchites love to have it so.

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jeremiah 5:31)

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. (Jeremiah 23:30)

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2nd Corinthians 11:14) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2nd Corinthians 11:14)

   The Philistines are the giants and titans of industry, politics, academia, technology, entertainment, and religion, and on and on and on. We have seen their beginning in Cain, we have seen their tribal ascendency as Philistines, we have come to their culminating power over the earth, but we have not yet seen their end. . . . . and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. (Zechariah 9:6) Their end is sure; their pride and power will quickly be destroyed. How do I know this? I know because the living God (who Goliath defied) promised, and He will bring it to pass. Behold, the Philistines will be no more!

—— ♦ ——

The Philistine – Goliath

   The word ‘Philistine’ is mentioned a total of twenty-two times (22) in seventeen (17) verses in 1st Samuel Chapter 17. The name of Goliath, however, is referenced twice in this great battle. No other giant has these many references about his national alliance except for Goliath. Within twenty-two verses in 1st Samuel Chapter 17 Goliath is recorded twenty-eight times as ‘the Philistine.’ The point of all these statistics is that 1st Samuel Chapter 17 is about one giant of a man (the enemy) and not about the territory that he represented, BUT and there is a BUT for the name ‘Goliath,’ however, is only recorded two times in Chapter 17, and only in six verses within the entire Bible. The point of interest is in the fact that within these six mentions of the name of Goliath that two are in Chapter 17:4 and 23; and twice his name is mentioned as in ‘the sword of Goliath’ (1st Samuel 21:9; 1st Samuel 22:10; and two as in ‘the brother of Goliath’ (2nd Samuel 21:19, 1st Chronicles 20:5). Poor ole’ Goliath cannot even get a notable recognition by the Spirit of God more than two little measly mentions. Goliath surely did not receive top billing. This was a surprise for me. Even in how many times the name Goliath is mentioned in Scripture ties this last giant in the line of Ham through Canaan to cursed man in the number six and onward to the famous number 6 – 6 – 6. Everything around Goliath directs our attention to not only the number six, but what this number entails.

—— ♦ ——

The Shield of Goliath

And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. (1 Samuel 17:7)

And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. (1st Samuel 17:41)

   Nowhere in Scripture in any war scene, or in any page of the Bible you will find any warrior not carrying his own shield. (There were armor barers, but no one who went before carrying a protective shield.) Yet, here is this massive man, this proud arrogant specimen of all that demonstrates the Philistine’s character not carrying a defensive weapon. Offense is his war plan, there is no need to have a defensive plan, for he assigns that to another: a slave/servant.

   Satan employs both material objects and individuals to act as shields to protect him from being identified as the ancient adversary of mankind. The flat screen steals time, and reason. Meaningless religious activities and responsibilities steal prayer and Bible time. Then there are the individuals who hold the shield of religion, who run before him, such as ‘men of the clothe’ as Balaam who gave advice on how to spoil and ruin the men of Israel, and the lying prophet of Bethel (the house of God) who lied to the (unnamed) man of God in 1st Kings Chapter 13 (note the number 13) to influence this man of God to disobey the word of God which led to the death of the man of God. The list of these shield holders is seemingly endless, but there are two (yet to come) the beast and the false prophet who deceive the world to take the mark, and to fight against the Almighty God. These two shield holders are destroyed, and the dragon (the old serpent, Satan) finally comes to his end.

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (Revelation 19:19) And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Revelation 20:8)

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:9)

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

    Sword and spear are the weapons of hand-to-hand battle, and the weapons of distant aggressive attacks. This is what our adversary (or adversaries) uses. They can fight body to body or from a distance. We are too easily lulled into dullness in not totally comprehending who the enemies (the enemies of Christ) are. They are sometimes those who are very close to us (the sword) and then there are attacks from forces whom we cannot see (the spear). Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (1st Samuel 17:45) There is much more to the sword, spear and shield, but I will continue on.

   Offense is the plan in ATTACK . . . ATTACK . . . and ATTACK again! That is the battle strategy. Then there is another aspect of the Philistines character and that is THE LIE. You can’t have a battle without lies. Here is the psychological warfare. All that I am writing has a definite contemporary political signature, however, I will let you draw those connections. Let me keep on the spiritual road. Once again, the father of all lies, who just happens to be the father of Cain, and the father of the giants, and the father of Goliath is the expert in all lies.

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1)

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: (Genesis 3:2)

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Genesis 3:3)

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (Genesis 3:4)

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:5)

   When reading 1st Samuel, Chapter 17, the lie of Goliath is very subtle, but KNOW your enemy, and his lie then becomes very clear. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. (1st Samuel 17:8) If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. (1st Samuel 17:9) Right . . . sure . . . the giants of all segments of society lie with such abandonment that they actually believe their own lies. (Remember the election of 2016, when the pollsters lied, and the news lied; then remember when they all apologized for lying? Well, I don’t remember that either.) Then this happened as documented in 1st Samuel 17:51, Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. In spite of Goliath’s lies, David never agreed to this arrangement of surrender.

   We have seen the offense attack plan, and the psychological attack plan in Goliath’s lie, what was next in the Philistine’s ground plan? It is the ridicule plan, and the intimidation threat bullying plan. First, Goliath ridiculed the men of Israel in his forty-day taunt. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. (1st Samuel 17:8) There was truth in this taunt, for every man and his family were servants to Saul. (Lies become strong statements because usually there is a minuscule element of truth within the lie.) And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. (1st Samuel 17:25)

Side Note: Israel gave their freedom away because of fear: fear about what others perceived their nation to be, and fear of being unable to defend themselves. The core of this was that they no longer believed God or trusted that God was able to deliver them and to keep them. They relinquished their freedom in the Almighty God, to serve as slaves under an unknown and unproven leader: Saul.

And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1st Samuel 8:7)

And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands. (1st Samuel 10:19)

The following verses profoundly indicate the difference between the rule of man versus the rule of God; in that, man TAKES, God GIVES. And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. (1st Samuel 8:10)

And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. (1Samuel 8:11)

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. (1Samuel 8:12)

And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. (1Samuel 8:13)

And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. (1Samuel 8:14)

And he will take the tenth of your seed , and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. (1Samuel 8:15)

And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. (1Samuel 8:16) He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. (1Samuel 8:17)

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. (1Samuel 8:18)

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; (1Samuel 8:19)

That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. (1Samuel 8:20) ♦ End of Side Note:

   I cannot continue on without writing about one other failure in the ability of the nation of Israel to reason when they chose Saul over their Almighty God. Their reasoning capabilities are revealed in this verse: That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. (1Samuel 8:20) Although Saul did actually fight in many battles, did not these Israelites of 1st Samuel 8:20 reason that they would be called to lay down their lives and it would be the people (the slave/servants) who would make up the armies of Saul. When Israel obeyed God, it was God who fought their battles, it was God who went before them, it was God who kept them, and it was God who was their Savior and Redeemer. How quickly mankind forgets why they still exist.

For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel [will be] your rereward. (Isaiah 52:12)

And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: (Exodus 14:19)

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. (Isaiah 63:7) For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. (Isaiah 63:8) In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:14)

The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; (Deuteronomy 1:30)

Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you. (Deuteronomy 3:22)

For the LORD your God [is] he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. (Deuteronomy 20:4)

   The fear factor is another weapon that the Philistines employ. We should all be familiar with this technique as we are inundated every hour through the Philistine voices of news doom and ‘the sky is falling’ narratives. As sheep dogs are used to enclose and contain sheep, fear is used to corral and restrict the slave/servants (this is us) of the Philistine giants and titans. When this gigantic Philistine said, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field, most people would have melted into a panic puddle.

And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. (1st Samuel 17:42) And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. (1st Samuel 17:43) And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. (1st Samuel 17:44)

   The difference between becoming a panic puddle and being a fierce fighter is fearless faith. The first shepherd king (David) had already been prepared by God to overcome a bear and a lion in face-to-face battles; thus, David was fortified not only for the physical battle ahead, but also for the spiritual battle with Satan’s agent (Goliath). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1st Peter 5:8) There can be much written about the lion and the bear in the spiritual warfare, but I will attempt to simplify it to basics: the lion can attack from almost all positions including from overhead and behind; the bear is known to set false tracks to lead his prey into a specific direction, and away from him. These are both war protocols successfully used by Satan and his Philistines in their spiritual and physical battle fields.

   David, however, although a young man understood what the battle was about. The Philistines had one goal and one purpose: spoil and destroy all that was of God. Here is one of the warrior’s strengths: to know the purpose of the enemy, and another strength is to know the purpose of God. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (Psalm 46:2)

   The fear factor must never be allowed to control and overcome our actions. The Christian (as Israel in 1st Samuel Chapter 17) may fear circumstances, fear the future, fear the unknown, fear the giants of the Philistines, but we (as they had) have a shepherd King who has already faced the lion and the bear, and He was victorious at the place of the skull (Golgotha).

Side Note: The Anointing: David was anointed with the horn of oil (by Samuel) making David the coming king BEFORE the battle against Goliath. After the battle with Goliath and after scores of other victories against all the enemies of God and of Israel, David was once again anointed to take his place as king of Judah (2nd Samuel 2:4), and he was anointed a third time as king over Israel (2nd Samuel 5:3).

   The true Shepherd King was also anointed BEFORE He was manifested on earth. He was anointed by Godhead through the Spirit of God as documented in Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. Christ as the hidden mystery of God (the wisdom of God) was ordained as the wisdom of God, to speak the wisdom of God as the Wisdom of God. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and [some] of them they shall slay and persecute: (Luke 11:49) I suggest that you read Proverbs, Chapter 8, to get an understanding of the Person called the Wisdom of God before creation. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (1st Corinthians 2:7) Then our Shepherd King was anointed (in His manifestation) BEFORE His battle against Satan at Golgotha (the place of the skull). How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38) Then there was the anointing by the hand and heart of man directed by the Spirit of God (as David was anointed by the hand of man – 2nd Samuel 2:4; 5:3) in John 12:3, Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. (Hebrews 1:9) As David was anointed (by the men of Judah and of Israel) over Judah and over Israel as king over a kingdom united under kingship, so too, we have the Godhead proclaiming that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as God, was anointed above all thy fellows, to be a King on His everlasting throne. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Hebrews 1:8) Thus, we see David in his earthly anointings as king as a type of Christ through His heavenly and earthly anointing as the fulfillment of King of kings, and Lord of lords. ♦ End of Side Note.

   David fearlessly proclaimed . . . Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (1st Samuel 17:45) This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. (1st Samuel 17:46) Fear should never find a place within the heart of a warrior of God because, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2nd Timothy 1:7)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. (Psalm 64:1)

The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (Psalm 118:6)

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.  (Isaiah 41:13)

—— ♦ ——

The Living God

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1st Samuel 17:26)

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. (1st Samuel 17:36)

The living God was the power within David, yes, David was a saved man with his faults, failures and sins, nevertheless, and in spite of this, David had the Spirit of God within freely given by the Spirit of God.

   David was not afraid of Goliath because he had already experienced the power of God in his life as a shepherd. David had a personal relationship with Jehovah, and this is the point of separation for many who claim that they know God. What they really mean is that they know of a God, but they do not have a personal connection that bonds them with God. Too many relate to a god as an objective experiment; however, David related to God as the living God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:2) My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. (Psalm 84:2)

   Knowing that God is ‘living’ means that there is an understanding that God is active, not passive, and that life does not simply have a past, present, and future, but that life continuously flows outside of time and space. Since God is eternal, His life is eternal; thus life is eternal and only the God of Eternity can offer eternal life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3) The only means to gain access into this free-flowing continuous stream of life is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Possessor of Life.

   The living God was the power within David, yes, David was a saved man with his faults, failures and sins, nevertheless, and in spite of this, David had the Spirit of God within freely given by the Spirit of God. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. (1st Samuel 16:13)

Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, (2nd Samuel 23:1) The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. (2nd Samuel 23:2) The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. (2nd Samuel 23:3)

—— ♦ ——

To the Victor Belongs the Spoils

And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. (1st Samuel 17:48)

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. (1st Samuel 17:49)

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. (1st Samuel 17:50)

Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. (1st Samuel 17:51)

And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. (1st Samuel 17:52)

   The only missing element is the orchestra music in the background playing the 1812 Overture, or Mussorgsky’s The Great Gate of Kiev. What an emotional victorious scene, as David ran TOWARD the giant, the men of Israel held their breaths in awe of such bravery. There had to be a great silence from both camps when the Philistine fell face forward into the dust, an unbelievable moment of the witness of a Supernatural act by God. As David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith, there had to be an overwhelming incredulous emotion that slowly set into the minds of both the Israelites and the Philistines. Then the realization of what had transpired suddenly overcame both camps: the Philistines fled for their very existence, and the Israelites filled with power and fierce energy pursued after them. The noise of shouts, and screams must have been quite a sound resounding from the mountains around.

   In this tumult of victory and defeat, I can picture a young man, almost calmly holding in one hand the bloody head of the defeated Goliath, and in the other hand (raised high) was the sword of David’s enemy, and in his heart, David was praising the living God. Many years later, when David turned his kingdom over to his son, Solomon, we read the words of praise in 1st Chronicles, Chapter 29, verses 10 – 13:

Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. (1st Chronicles 29:10) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. (1st Chronicles 29:11) Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. (1st Chronicles 29:12) Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. (1st Chronicles 29:13)

The last battle for Goliath is a type of the battle that was fought at Golgotha, Calvary, the place of the skull, where Christ fought His battle for us.

   I titled this section, ‘To the Victor Belongs the Spoil’, this phrase is not from the Bible, but comes from a political statement made in 1832, and it is quite appropriate for the last battle for Goliath, however, it would not be the last battle for David against the Philistines. The giant was dead, but the Philistines were not. The last battle for Goliath is a type of the battle that was fought at Golgotha, Calvary, the place of the skull, where Christ fought His battle for us. The devil’s plan was defeated there, however, the devil’s Philistines (our Philistines) fight on because they refuse to admit defeat; thus, Satan shields himself in a delusional fit of madness. In this madness the giant knows that his head has been cut off, but he now twists and turns (as a snake that has lost its head) in fiery fighting to bite and poison every living thing. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)

Side Note: I do know something about dead snakes. (I don’t want to describe how this all came about, as it would take too long, but to just mention the after effect and what I learned about a dead snake.) My husband, with one shot (and he only had time for one shot), killed a 6’+ rattlesnake a few feet behind me. The bullet struck this reptile between its eyes, and you would have thought that it would have died immediately, but, no . . . it leapt up, twisted, arched, and for more than fifteen minutes it sprang and hurdled itself attempting to strike at its enemy. Safely and from a considerable distance (a great distance), I watched this creature in its death throes, and was amazed at how long it took to actually be overcome by death. Even a dead snake is dangerous. ♦ End of Side Note.

   How was the devil defeated at Calvary? And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2:13) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2:14) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1st John 3:8)  

  David took two things as spoil from Goliath, his head and his sword. The power of the sword would no longer be in Goliath’s hand, and his head had been cut off. In type and symbolism, the Holy Spirit of God points to the reality that the power that Satan had over mankind had been removed and severed by Christ at Golgotha, Calvary. The fear of death had been removed because death had been defeated at Calvary.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:15) For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. (Hebrews 2:16) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.(Hebrews 2:17)

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1st Corinthians 15:51)

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1st Corinthians 15:52)

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1st Corinthians 15:53)

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1st Corinthians 15:54)

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1st Corinthians 15:55)

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1st Corinthians 15:56)

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1st Corinthians 15:57)

—— ♦ ——

The Spoils – The Head

And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. (1st Samuel 17:53) And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent. (1st Samuel 17:54)

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. (1st Samuel 17:55)

And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is. (1st Samuel 17:56)

And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. (1st Samuel 17:57)

And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.  (1st Samuel 17:58)

   A most interesting point of information is revealed to us in this section of Scripture in the time frame from verses 53 to verses 58. Do not be lazy at this request: read these verses slowly and carefully. Do you not see the strange time frame? The chronological time frame has been broken by the Holy Spirit. This battle scene (if man was the writer) would have been written in this manner: verses 55 thru 58, then finally to end the Chapter we would have verses 53 and 54. There is a definite reason why the Spirit of God disrupts the chronology here, but I am not drawn to explain this difference. However, I am drawn to this verse: And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent. (1st Samuel 17:54)

   Here is a brief summary. After the battle, David (with Goliath’s head in his hand) was interviewed by Saul. And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. (1st Samuel 17:57) Then AFTER being interviewed by Saul, David did something that many miss, And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent. (1st Samuel 17:54)

   David took ownership over Goliath’s sword, Goliath’s armour, and Goliath’s tent. Another article can be written about where the sword and armour of Goliath ended up at, however, let us follow the head of the Philistine. David took the head of Goliath to Jerusalem. WOW. Why Jerusalem? Where in Jerusalem?

Side Note:  It was God the Holy Spirit who directed David to Jerusalem, as God directed Abraham (approximately 800 to 1000 years prior to David) to take his son, Isaac, to one of the mountains in the land of Moriah. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. (Genesis 22:2) Then within a wide time range of approximately (very WIDE range) of 800 to 1000 years later Solomon (David’s son) built the house of the LORD at Jerusalem IN mount Moriah. Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where [the LORD] appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. (2nd Chronicles 3:1) Another proof that man could never have written this prearrangement, only the God of the Supernatural could plan, execute, and accomplish His purposes for the benefit of His creation. From Abraham on one of the mountains in the land of Moriah, to the completion of the Temple at Jerusalem in mount Moriah was approximately the same time period from when David took the head of Goliath to Jerusalem to the culmination of the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary, Golgotha, on the cross. ♦ End of Side Note. 

   There is only one thing that can happen to a dead head, and that is decay, corruption: the result would be a dried bare skull. Let’s look at the word ‘skull’ in Scripture. Five times in Scripture the word ‘skull’ is mentioned.

And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull. (Judges 9:53)

——

And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of [her] hands. (2nd Kings 9:35)

——

And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, (Matthew 27:33)

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. (Mark 15:22)

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: (John 19:17)

   In the first mention of a skull there is a connection to the heart of Cain, through Ham, through Canaan, to the Philistines and to the last of the giants: Goliath. And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull. (Judges 9:53) This Abimelech was an Israelite, the son of Gideon. Interesting that Gideon (in his pride) named his son, Abimelech (my father is king). (Read the history of Gideon and his son Abimelech in Judges Chapters 8 and 9, and you will not be disappointed to see how quickly Satan overcame the men of God, and the people of God through pride. Satan’s dominant sin was pride, and this was his downfall from the spiritual realm.) I do believe that the Spirit of God has a holy cunning sense of humor.

   The second mention of ‘skull’ is not surprising at all, for it is found in 2nd Kings 9:35, And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of [her] hands. All that remained of Jezebel was her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands. Even the dogs did not want anything to do with her walk, or her works, however, they did enjoy ripping and feasting on the flesh of her face and head; thus, leaving only a skull. I believe that this Scripture is quite appropriate at this point, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:27)

God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies. (Nahum 1:2)

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

   The word ‘skull’ is recorded three times in the New Testament in connection to a specific place, not a person. Did you ever wonder why Calvary was also called Golgotha? Calvary means ‘skull,’ and Golgotha (a Chaldean word) means ‘skull.’

And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, (Matthew 27:33)

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. (Mark 15:22)

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: (John 19:17)

   Golgotha — The place of a skull — Golgotha was not the description of a geological rock formation, nor was this place a graveyard for scores of skulls (not many heads were separated from their bodies so there was no need to have a burial place dedicated to only skulls), it was the description of a particular place where a particular skull was buried: the skull of Goliath, the giant, the Philistine, the physical manifestation of evil, the representative of Satan, the talking head and agent for the Serpent, and the prototype and forerunner of the man of sin in 6 – 6 – 6 yet to appear. God closes out the history of the last of the giants by placing his skull at the base of the cross of the King of Israel (Christ Jesus at Calvary) by the first earthly king of Israel: David. Beloved to Beloved. (Jesse named his son David (Beloved), and God the Father called His Son, My beloved son.) Over the head of Christ were the words written by Pilate so that the whole world would know who Jesus Christ was. Four times, we have the following references:

And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  (Matthew 27:37)

And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Mark 15:26)

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  (Luke 23:38)

And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. (John 19:19)

   Unseen by the world, but seen by the unseen, at the base of the cross, buried in the hardened dirt was a skull, not any skull, but one particular skull. (And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel, Genesis 3:15.) Under His nailed pierced feet lay all that remained of the last earthly giant (Goliath) a skull; thus, completing the message to Satan (by the Spirit of God) that his end and the end of all who followed him would soon be under His feet.

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet:(Psalm 8:6)

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  (1st Corinthians 15:25)

For he hath put all things under his feet.  But when he saith all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.(1st Corinthians 15:27)

And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, (Ephesians 1:22)

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. (Hebrews 2:8)

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?  (Hebrews 1:13)

Amen.


© Copyright 2020, Mary Haigh

Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)



 

 

Comments are closed.