March 18, 2025 - 1 Samuel 17:32 - God's Appointed Servant

1 Samuel 17:32

"And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

The story of David and Goliath is among the most epic in all Scripture. While many will recount it as a powerful display of courage, faith, and the triumph of the underdog, there is far more to this historic narrative of victory and defeat. Beneath the surface, this account reveals a profound picture of salvation and condemnation—illustrated through the principles of representation and imputation. When viewed through the lens of the Spirit, we see how David and Goliath serve as vivid symbols of the two great realities of the Gospel of Christ: salvation and condemnation by representation and imputation.

The Great Conflict: Goliath as the Representative of Condemnation

Goliath, the towering giant of the Philistines, represents the overwhelming power of sin and death in this world. He is the ultimate enemy of God's people, mocking them with his challenges and intimidating them with his strength. Goliath stands as a figure of all that opposes the righteousness and holiness of God.

In the narrative, we see how the Israelites are paralyzed by fear before Goliath, unable to act because of his might. The challenge he presents is one of imputed condemnation—the entire fate of the Israelite people hangs in the balance, depending on the outcome of this battle. The Israelites are condemned by their representative, King Saul, who fails to rise to the challenge. Goliath, as the Philistine champion, is the embodiment of condemnation by representation. If Goliath triumphs, it will mean the disgrace and subjugation of Israel.

Similarly, all mankind stands condemned before God by the first Adam, our representative. Just as Israel’s fate depended on one man, so too does humanity’s eternal destiny rest upon the representative of Adam. Our sin and condemnation were imputed to us through him (Romans 5:12). Like the Israelites cowering before Goliath, we are utterly powerless in the face of sin’s condemnation—not only because of Adam but also due to our sinful nature and actions, which result from being condemned in him.

David: The Representative of Salvation

In stark contrast, David enters the scene as the representative of Israel to fight on behalf of the people. He steps forward in Faith, trusting the God of Israel to grant him victory. David’s courage and confidence are not in his own strength, but in the power of God, Who had delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear. In this way, David foreshadows Christ—the true Champion Who comes to fight on behalf of His people.

When David says, "Let no man’s heart fail because of him," he is portraying a picture of salvation that is not obtained through the strength of the individual, but through the power of the chosen representative. Just as David’s victory over Goliath would mean victory for all of Israel, so Christ’s victory over sin, death, Satan, and the Law procures salvation for all who are united to Him by God’s electing grace. Christ is the second Adam, chosen by God the Father as the Representative of those whom He has chosen to save. Through Christ’s perfect obedience to God’s Law and His victory over sin and death, His righteousness is imputed to each one for whom He obtained the victory (Romans 5:19). Since the Lord Jesus came into the world and accomplished all that God’s righteous holiness required for our deliverance, the battle is over, and the victory has been won through His completed work.

Imputation of Righteousness

The doctrine of imputation by representation shines brightly through David’s victory. David’s triumph is imputed to Israel. The people did nothing to earn the victory, yet the benefits of his triumph were applied to them as soon as David struck down the giant. The Israelites for whom David fought did nothing to win the battle, yet they shared in the victory. This illustrates the very heart of the Gospel: the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who represents God’s elect people for their salvation. Just as Israel’s deliverance was procured when David slew Goliath, so our salvation was accomplished when Christ laid down His life in satisfaction for God’s Law and justice.

In the Gospel, the righteousness of God that Christ earned by His perfect obedience unto death is imputed to His people. Just as David’s victory meant salvation for Israel, so Christ’s righteousness is credited to each one for whom He paid the debt of sin, though they did nothing to deserve it. On the other hand, the condemnation of Adam is imputed to all who are in him. Just as Israel would have been condemned if Goliath had triumphed, so all humanity stands condemned in Adam.

The Glory of Salvation by Representation

David’s battle against Goliath is a picture of Christ’s victory on our behalf as God’s elect children. By the imputation of the righteousness that Christ earned and established, believers are counted as having fought and triumphed in the battle over sin and death, in Christ (Galatians 2:20). Christ is our Champion, and His victory is ours by His faithfulness. His perfect obedience is reckoned to each of those for whom He laid down His life. When Christ finished His work on the cross, we were fully, freely, and forever justified before God.

When David defeated Goliath, there were likely many in Israel who did not immediately hear the news of his victory. Yet, even before they learned of it, they were free because of David’s triumph. Similarly, believers, though we were once enemies of God, are justified in Christ through His finished work, even before we hear the GOOD NEWS that is revealed in our hearts by the Spirit and causes us to believe on the Christ Who died and paid our debt. FAITH is the fruit of what Christ accomplished.

This reminds us that salvation is not a matter of our striving or ability, but of God’s sovereign choice to represent His people through His Son. In this, we find comfort and assurance, for the victory has been won, and we stand in the righteousness of Christ—not by our works, but by His. David’s words to Saul in 1 Samuel 17:32, "Let no man’s heart fail because of him," echo the Gospel truth for God’s children: Do not fear condemnation, for your Representative has already won the victory!!

Just as David defeated Goliath on behalf of Israel, so Christ has defeated sin and death on behalf of those for whom He is the Representative. Through His representation, we are freed from condemnation and granted eternal life. By the Faith of Christ, His righteousness has been imputed once and for all to the spiritual account of every one of His elect people, for whom He obtained salvation and won the victory.

Galatians 2:16

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the Faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the Faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."