Motivation: What giants do you face in life: disorganization (17:8), discouragement (17:11), disarmament (17:24), desperation (17:25)? God doesn’t want us to focus on gigantic problems; instead He expects us to focus on our sufficient God!
Examination: Football Coach Bob Stoops once used the David and Goliath story to illustrate “How to Achieve An Impossible Goal:” 1) Be offended by what the giant has done, 2) Understand the reward for slaying the giant, 3) Ignore the evil reports, and 4) Fight with familiar and tested weapons.
I. Facing the Giant (1-25)
A. Desperate Situation “Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah”(2) HCSB: p. 470: 17:1-2 “The heartland of Benjamin and Judah was approachable from the coast through six valleys. The Philistines already had come up the Aijalon Valley (13:23). During the days of Samson (Jdg 13-16), they had come up the Sorek Valley. Now they were coming up the Valley of Elah and already controlledSocoh and Azekah. If they got much farther up the valley, they could come up the ridge route into the hill country and threaten Bethlehem, Hebron, and Saul’s capital, Gibeah. The situation was desperate for Saul and his army.” p. 471: 17:3 “The word translated “valley” in verse 2 designates a broad, flat valley. The word translated ravine denotes a narrower, more sharply defined valley or wadi. Today, the valley pinches in a bit east of Socoh, perhaps marking the site of the ancient conflict.”
B. Dismayed Army “When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they lost courage and were terrified.” (11) Ancient battles were sometimes decided by a duel between a champion of each army (2 Sam. 2:13-14). Goliath was over nine feet tall (4), wore armor weighing about 125 pounds (5) and the head of his spear weighed about 16 pounds. The enemy’s giants are always intended to dismay without a fight. HCSB, p. 471, 17:4 “Recent archeological finds at Tel es-Safi, the site of ancient Gath, confirm that the name Goliath was used among the Philistines around this period. Two other early manuscripts (LLX, DSS) state that Goliath was ‘six feet, nine inches tall.’ However, the description of Goliath’s combat gear appears to support the larger height of nine feet, nine inches tall. At either height, Goliath would have towered over the much smaller Israelites.” 17:5-7 “The sheer spectacle of Goliath’s armor and weapons frightened the Israelite army. At the same time, their weight would have restricted Goliath’s agility. He probably assumed he would not have a prolonged fight with anyone.” 17:8-9 “Goliath challenged and taunted the Israelites. With his words Choose one of your men, Goliath suggested representative combat – the army of the losing combatant would become servants of the army of the victorious combatant.”
C. Dubious David (17:12-25)
1. Inauspicious “Also take these 10 portions of cheese to the field commander. Check on the welfare of your brothers and bring a confirmation from them.” (18) David didn’t begin the day thinking he was going on a grand quest. Actually, he was just an errand boy delivering groceries. We should not wait for a future mission to be used of God; our job is to be equipped at all times to be usable (I Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 1:6-7). The Greek word in the Great Commission is best translated “as you are going” (Matt. 28:19).
2. Invective “the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the Philistine battle line and shouted his usual words which David heard.” (23) The taunting of Goliath is recorded in verses 8-10. “I defy the ranks of Israel today.” (10). The reaction of Saul and the army was terror. (11). By verse 24, just the appearance of Goliath was cause for the entire Israelite army to retreat “from him terrified”. (24).
3. Incentives “The king will make the man who kills him very rich and will give him his daughter.” (25) Goliath’s taunts had been going on for forty days (16). During that time Saul evidently continued to raise the reward since he had no takers. By the time David arrived, the soldier who killed Goliath would be “very rich”, wed “his daughter”, and exempt “the household of that man’s father from paying taxes in Israel.”
II. Preparing for Battle (26-31)
This historical tale of valor and victory can serve as an object lesson for dealing with the giants in our lives.
A. Rest on the Proper Motive– David didn’t leave home looking to get into a fight. Neither was he tempted by Saul’s “lottery.” David wasn’t even out to rescue the honor of the Israelite army; battles with the Philistines were ongoing (14:52). David’s motivation was to honor God. Goliath was said to “defy” in vss. 10, 25, 26, 36, and 45. David believed that the giant’s real insult was against God’s honor. “Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (26b)
B. Resist Discouragement (28-31) No sooner had David taken up the challenge than his older brother, Eliab, sought to discourage him.
1. Presenting Anger: “David’s oldest brother Eliab listened as he spoke to the men, and became angry with him.” (28) No doubt Eliab felt intense guilt that David was accepting the responsibility that he should have taken forty days earlier. It’s a curious trait of human nature that feels “if I don’t do what was right, then I must criticize anyone else who tries.” Circumstances certainly confirmed that Eliab was not fit to be king (16:6-7).
2. Prejudging Motives “you came down to see the battle” (28) The second attack of discouragement came when Eliab impugned David’s motives. In effect, he’s accusing David of “grandstanding,” making a big show without intending to fight.
3. Putting Down His Abilities “Who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness?” (28) With one scathing remark, Eliab reminded David that he was only an insignificant shepherd.
4. Professing to Know His Heart “I know your arrogance and your evil heart” (28) Perhaps the unkindest cut of all was the character assassination Eliab undertook in the presence of the other soldiers (“he spoke to the men”). It’s hard enough to do the right thing without detractors accusing you of doing it for the wrong reason!
C. Rally to the Cause “What David said was reported to Saul, so he had David brought to him.” (31) Much of success in life follows showing up and reporting for duty. There was no ‘hiding in the supplies’ (10:22) for David; when the king summoned him to duty, he responded.
III. Confidence in God (32-37)
“David said to Saul, “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!” 33 But Saul replied, “You can’t go fight this Philistine. You’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since he was young.” 34 David answered Saul: “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. 36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Then David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.” (32-37)
A. Restate your Faith “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!” (32) Saul’s previous interactions with David involved music and service. The king’s perception of the young man had to elevate from armor bearer to warrior (33). If no one else had faith in God (and himself), David was willing to stand alone.
B. Recall God’s Deliverance of the Past (34-36) “34 Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. 36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” Anyone who has faced a predator in the wild without a firearm can sense the courage it took for a young shepherd boy to “grab it by the fur, strike it down, and kill it.” Yet, David rather matter of factly considered it ‘part of the job’. He knew that ‘a lamb’ was utterly defenseless without the protection of a shepherd. As expressed in the 23rd Psalm, David knew that his protection came from ‘the Lord is my Shepherd’.
C. Receive the Commission “37 Then David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine. Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.” (37) HCSB: p. 472: 17:37 “The word rescued is the same word that appeared in verse 35; David rescued the sheep, and God rescued him. Now, God would rescue His flock Israel. Encouraged by David’s faith, Saul found the courage to invoke God’s name in the blessing, May the Lord be with you.”
IV. Resort to Proven Principles
“Then Saul had his own military clothes put on David. He put a bronze helmet on David’s head and had him put on armor. 39 David strapped his sword on over the military clothes and tried to walk, but he was not used to them. “I can’t walk in these,” David said to Saul, “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off. 40 Instead, he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pouch, in his shepherd’s bag. Then, with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine. 41 The Philistine came closer and closer to David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.”(38-41) J. Vernon McGee (Thru the Bible, vol. 2, p. 157) “What a lesson there is for us in this. Let’s not try to be something we are not, or try to do something we are really not called to do. If God has called you to use a slingshot, friend, don’t try to use a sword. If God has called you to speak, then speak. If God has called you to do something else, well, do that. If God has called you to sing, sing. But if He has not called you to sing, for goodness sake, don’t do it. Too many people are trying to use a sword when the slingshot is really more their size.” David had five stones because Goliath had four brothers! When tempted, Jesus used five books (The Pentateuch) to battle Satan (Matt. 4:1-11).
V. False Confidence in Himself ! (42-44)
“When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a youth, healthy and handsome. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with sticks?” Then he cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” the Philistine called to David, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts!” (42-44).
A. Rejection: Goliath challenged the opposing army for 40 days to send out a worthy warrior. Instead, he faced a red headed, young ‘pretty boy’. Goliath was insulted and despised him.
B. Ridicule: Just as Elijah would mock the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:27-29), so did Goliath ridicule David. HCSB: p. 473: 17:43 “Goliath began his psychological warfare (“trash talk”) against David by suggesting the staff David carried was fit only to beat a dog. The statement he cursed David by his gods further slants the account toward describing a battle between the gods of the Philistines and the God of Israel rather than just a battle between two men.”
C. Response: Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch! In one of the worst predictions in history, Goliath assumed victory.
VI. God’s Victory (45-50)
“David said to the Philistine: “You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel’s armies—you have defied Him. 46 Today, the Lord will hand you over to me. Today, I’ll strike you down, cut your head off, and give the corpses of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God, 47 and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s. He will hand you over to us.”48 When the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 David put his hand in the bag, took out a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. 50 David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. Even though David had no sword, he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” (45-50).
A. Rest in the proper source of Power “You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel’s armies—you have defied Him.” (45) vs. 47 “The battle is the Lord’s” (2 Chron. 20:15). HCSB: p. 472: 17:45 “David’s response to Goliath highlights the contrast in battle strategy. The philistine relied on his dagger, spear, and sword (or sword, spear and Javelin), but David fought in the name of (as the representative of and with the authority of ) Yahweh of Hosts, who was the God of Israel’s armies. Goliath had defied Him, but now the Lord would triumph over him through His servant.”
B. Reject Discouragement “Today, the Lord will hand you over to me. Today, I’ll strike you down, cut your head off, and give the corpses of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the creatures of the earth.” (46) HCSB: p. 473: 17:46 “Hand you over to me is literally “shut you into my hand,” or leave no way of escape. David’s reference to the Philistine camp meant the outcome of their personal battle would have implications for the Philistine army. Birds of the sky and the creatures of the earth mimicked Goliath’s mocking taunt (v. 44). David insisted that when victory was his, all the world would know that Israel had a God mighty enough to rescue in seemingly impossible situations. David’s concern was that the nations would also know the power of Yahweh.”
C. Run to meet Your Problem Head On (48-50) “David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine.” (48) Giants rarely shrink in size with time; in fact they grow and weigh more heavily upon us. A major demonstration of faith in God is to meet a challenge head on. HCSB: p. 473: 17:49 “After a lengthy anticipation of the battle in the narrative, the battle was over almost as soon as it began. The words fell on his face describe Goliath falling face-forward. The force of the stone’s impact likely rocked him backward initially, but then he either lurched forward again to complete his fall or spun around face first as he continued to fall back (away from David) to the ground.”
D. Rely on the Weapons God Provides “50 David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone.”(50) The text is clear that David brought no sword to this battle. He trusted God with what God provided. One of the traps Satan uses when we face giants is procrastination. In order to face a giant problem, we want more or better or bigger weapons. Yet Paul clearly writes “the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God” (2 Cor. 10:4).
VII. Rejoice in the Victory Only God Can Give (51-58)
“David took Goliath’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.” (54) HCSB: p. 474: 17:54 “Why David took Goliath’s head to Jerusalem is unclear, since Jerusalem was controlled by the Jebusites at the time. One possibility is that David intended it to frighten the Jebusites and other enemies of Israel. Another is that Jerusalem was a central place where even non-Jebusites could come to divide, barter, and display the spoils of war. A third possibility is that the text was recording what David ultimately did with Goliath’s head years later when David conquered Jerusalem (2 Sm 5:7), though 17:57 may weigh against this suggestion. See R. D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel for further commentary on options. The giant’s sword ended up at the city of Nob, from which David retrieved it years later (1 Sm 21:8-9).”
Application:
1. God chooses based on our heart’s condition which exhibits faith.
2. God gives us opportunities in the normal routines of life.
3. God expects us to focus on His power rather than on perceived giants.
