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1 Samuel 17 – Praying through the Bible #93 – A Prayer When No One Prays
What happens when we stop praying? What happens if no prays? Few stories are more popular and personally claimed in troubling times than David and Goliath. So ingrained in common culture, “David versus Goliath” is part of sport’s jargon and business competition. It is the classic story of the underdog, the little guy, the everyman. Admittedly, no prayer is said in this memorable story and that might be the point and the problem. Everyone calls this story “David and Goliath.” It is also Goliath and Saul.
The first, last and only prayer recorded in scripture by Saul, God refused to answer. Then Samuel refused to see Saul anymore. An evil spirit tortured Saul as God has left his anointed one to suffer his own fear and failures. The man, who stood head and shoulders above all, now cowers before one who stands head and shoulders above him. The one chosen to lead Israel into battle sits in his tent. All of Israel repeats their fathers’ unfaithfulness; cowering because of a giant. No one prays.
At first, everyone is ready for battle. Both sides line up in battle formation (17.2-3). Then there is a pause. No one enters into “no man’s land.” Except one man. Goliath stands tall physically while no one stands tall spiritually in Israel. Except one man.
Imagine how desperate Saul must have been. Personally he is unwilling to fight. No soldier for 40 days is willing to fight. Finally he hears of someone brave, calls him into his tent, and discovers it is a boy. How old is David? Old enough, or young enough, not to be enlisted in the army! How desperate Saul must be to put all his trust in this inexperienced, untested, unknown, neophyte “champion.” Why does he?
1 Samuel 17:37 Then David said, “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you.”
David had something Saul had lost – a relationship with God. While David is not seen praying, David is seen as someone close to God, one whose life obviously is filled with times on his knees preparing for victory. David comes along as a young man who already learned life is dangerous. The lions and bears in his life are not symbols or analogies. They are wild animals amped up by hunger seeking to devour. Our lion is also seeking to devour (1 Pt 5.8). David’s language shows a warrior is first a prayer warrior, even when an unexpected warrior. Notice David’s prayer language: “You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel’s armies — you have defied Him” (17.45). Victory happens when someone prays.
Prayer Challenge – Our lives are filled with more Saul’s than David’s. Pray others will see our relationship with God so we can help them fight battles they have failed.
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