Command 23: Fear God, Not Man
Study Question
Q: Why did David have no fear when he faced Goliath but fled for his life when he faced Absalom?
A: When David confronted Goliath he had no fear, because he realized that Goliath was actually not defying him or even the armies of Israel; Goliath was defying the living God. A man who is not afraid to die holds incredible power. David was confident that God would protect His own reputation by equipping David to conquer Goliath just as He had previously equipped David to conquer a lion and a bear.
In contrast to this, David was fearful when his own son Absalom rose up against him. He fled for his life because he knew that Absalom’s wrath was directed toward him personally and that this was part of the judgment of God for David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba.
When a man cursed David, his servants wanted to put an end to it. However, David said, “Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him” (II Samuel 16:11).
Both situations reveal David’s fear of the Lord. David boldly accepted the challenge of facing Goliath because David knew that he was on God’s side and that God would fight for him. Later, he recognized that God was using the defiance of his son Absalom to discipline him and that he was powerless to do anything but plead for God’s mercy.
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This study question and answer is adapted from the Commands of Christ, Series 4, book. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.