1 Samuel 17

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? 1 Samuel 17:26

David is outraged that Goliath defies the living God of Israel (repeated in verse 36). The living God who leads Israel's armies is Jehovah, the premortal Christ.

David as a type of Christ

And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:32

Goliath demanded one man to fight for all Israel, and for forty days no one would go. David volunteers to stand alone as the champion for a terrified people, as Jesus alone faced the enemy of our souls on our behalf.

• a type of what is in Hebrews 2:14-15 — Through death Christ destroyed him that had the power of death and delivered those held in fear.

Good Shepherd

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 1 Samuel 17:34–35

The shepherd David risked his life to rescue one lamb from a lion's mouth. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who goes after the one and gives His life for the sheep.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• a type of what is in John 10:11-12 — The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep and does not flee when the wolf comes.
• a type of what is in Luke 15:4 — The shepherd goes after the one lost sheep.

Jehovah the Deliverer

David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 1 Samuel 17:37

David's courage rests on remembering how Jehovah had already delivered him. The Deliverer of Israel is Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Lord of Hosts

LORD of hosts — Jehovah Sabaoth, Lord of armies

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. 1 Samuel 17:45–47

David fights in the name of Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts, declaring that the battle belongs to Him and salvation does not come by weapons. Christ is the Lord who fights His people's battles.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alluded to by 2 Chronicles 20:15 — 'The battle is not yours, but God's.'
• alluded to by D&C 98:37 — 'I, the Lord, would fight their battles.'

David as a type of Christ

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. 1 Samuel 17:49–51

The enemy champion is struck in the head and then killed with his own sword. Christians have long seen here the promised Seed crushing the serpent's head, and Christ conquering death and Satan by means of death itself.

• a type of what is in Genesis 3:15 — The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 2:14 — Through death He destroyed him that had the power of death.
• a type of what is in Colossians 2:15 — Having spoiled principalities and powers, He triumphed over them.

The Stone

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. 1 Samuel 17:50

A small stone, not the king's armor, topples the giant. It echoes the stone cut out without hands that smites the great image and fills the earth — the kingdom of Christ.

• alluded to by Daniel 2:34-35 — The stone cut out without hands smites the image and becomes a great mountain.