1 Samuel 17:17-30
Sent by his father (like Joseph earlier – Genesis 37:13), to obtain news of his brothers, David is here the type of the One who left heaven in order to visit this world in grace. And so he hears the daily challenge, the insults thrown in Israel’s face by the Philistine champion. Worried by what he has heard, he asks what is happening. Eliab hears him and takes him to task for his curiosity. Thus older people in the assemblies may, unjustly and without consideration for their feelings, criticise their younger brothers and sisters.
Even though he had been present at David’s anointing, Eliab does not take him seriously. He reminds us of the brothers of Jesus: "for neither did his brethren believe in him" (John 7:5).
Forty days have passed. Forty is the number which, in Scripture, corresponds to a complete period of testing. Alas, the facts must be faced – there is no one! – no one to deliver Israel from the Philistines! Eliab cannot, even though he is tall (1 Samuel 16:7) – he should have been ashamed of his cowardice before David. Nor can Saul (he who was taller than all his people and had been appointed as their protector) for the LORD has forsaken him. But to David’s faith, Goliath is only another Philistine, conquered already because he has dared to insult the armies of the living God!