Serving the Wrong Master: The Shield Bearer's Lesson

What happens to the one who serves the wrong master? Remember with me
David and Goliath. A young shepherd boy faces off against the giant champion of
the enemy army. The story is one of danger and risk but also of courage and loyalty.
Usually, this is the focus when we read 1 Samuel 17. The heroic tale of David and
Goliath. However, in truth there were many other people present we could learn
from. One person which sparks my interest is Goliath’s “shield-bearer” (1 Sam 17:7).
A shield-bearer is exactly what it sounds like. His job is to follow Goliath at all times
and use his massive shield on defense so his master can focus on the offense. Recall
for a moment the setting of this famous duel. The army of Israel was camped on one
side of the valley while the army of Philistia was camped on the other side. Between
the two armies stood Goliath and his shield-bearer, taunting the Israelites and their
God for forty days (1 Sam 17:16). Now, would it be a stretch to say the shield-bearer
had full faith Goliath could win no matter who faced him? That his master would
lose to no one? Yet not too long later, the same master he trusted in had his head
cut off right before his eyes (1 Sam 17:51). Then the armies of the living God, of
Israel chased the Philistine armies all the way back home. Question, after Goliath
died, who was the closest Philistine to Israel’s camp? Likely, it was the
shield-bearer. As a result, he was the first to be killed after his master. For what
reason? For defying the armies of the living God (1 Sam 17:26, 26, 45). The
shield-bearer simply chose to serve the wrong master.
So, what can we learn from the shield-bearers decision? First, the one
who chooses any master over the one true living God, he despises God. Jesus said
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or
else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other (Matt 6:24).” If I place anything in
my life before the Lord, then I am no different from the shield-bearer, choosing to
serve a master who mocks God. Secondly, when one does put God first, He will take
care of them. David chose to put God first and was delivered in battle. Later in his
life David writes, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the
righteous forsaken (Psalm 37:25).” This is true for us today. Jesus agreed saying “seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to
you (Matt 6:33).” The shield-bearer chose to serve Goliath and died but when we
choose to serve Jesus, He promises to take care of us. The question for us is: Which
master will I serve?
Alex Viquez