Five Stones and Five Promises

UV 1314/10,000 Five Stones and Five Promises
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

I Samuel 17 v 40


David refused the unwieldy armour, sword and shield offered by King Saul. Instead, he preferred to pick up five smooth stones out of the brook. David picked up five stones as Goliath had four brothers who were giants like him and they were the reserve of the Philistines. The five smooth stones are the precious promises of God that we should always carry in our hearts and minds. The brook or river from which we should bow down to pick up is the Holy Spirit. Bowing down is to humble ourselves before the Promise-keeper. The shepherd’s bag is our natural memory that the Spirit of God prompts and reminds us from. Our sling is our prayer life. When we load our prayers with the promises of God for His presence, protection, provision, promotion and peace, we are equipped like David to face the Goliaths of our lives.


The stone that David aimed from his sling at Goliath hit him on the temple of his head. It created a dent on his thick skull. It knocked him down unconscious. After that David used Goliath’s own sword to decapitate him. Our prayers are accurate and never miss the mark. The stones chosen from the brook were smooth as the water had flown over it through many centuries and generations. Smooth stones were required to ensure an exact trajectory and to hit the bull’s eye as it were. Similarly, the uni-verses we chose to apply have been a blessing to many generations and the Holy Spirit has used it to bless, encourage and teach us through many years.

We need not fight shy to draw near our Goliaths. Unless David boldly advanced towards Goliath instead of shrinking in fear, he would not have been within striking range. He did not go so close as to be within the striking range of Goliath’s mighty sword but close enough to be able to aim and hit him accurately on the forehead. It was not David’s natural ability or prowess as a warrior for he was but a lad but his faith in the availing and prevailing might and grace of God that gave him victory against almost impossible odds. Others may get their horses and chariots ready for battle but we need to only carry a “scrip” – a small leather bag that shepherds used to carry and a metaphor for scripture in our context. The Lord will provide us the ammunition in our life's mission.

Prateep V Philip