The Valley of Ellah is best known for the epic battle between young David and giant Goliath. It’s located on the western edge of the Judean lower hills and was an important travel route from the coastal cities up to the center of the land of Judah. The site also contains an ostracon with the words inscribed on it: king, judge, widow. David accepted Goliath’s challenge to fight him in the Valley of Elah. However, the Israelites’ hearts were jolted to their core when they heard the words of the Philistine: “If he can fight with me and kill me, we will be your servants.”
King Saul reluctantly agreed to allow David to fight Goliath. The king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches, give him his daughter, and make his father’s house accessible in Israel; David’s words were translated into Hebrew by Samuel 17:31–37.
In 1 Samuel 17:38–47, David chose five smooth stones from a brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch, and his sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine with his shield-bearer in front of him. The Philistine said to David, “I will strike you down and cut off your head and give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.” David’s defeat of Goliath led to a great victory over the Philistines. The battle’s outcome was far more significant than we might realize. If the Israelites lost, they would become the servants of the Philistines.
It was a “winner takes all” battle. During David’s youth as a shepherd, he developed many skills to fight for his sheep and love the Lord. God used David’s mastery of using a sling and his love for the Lord to defeat Goliath. Do I understand my responsibility to develop my abilities and God’s responsibility to direct me in how I use them?
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