David and Goliath: 1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath

David and Goliath: 1 Samuel 17

Summary:

The Philistines gathered to go to war. The Israelites with Saul leading came to meet them in battle. They faced each other with only a valley between them.

In comes Goliath.

He was 9 and 1/2 feet tall with full armor and incredible strength. He stood in the valley taunting Israel and challenging any of their men to meet him in battle. Israel stayed on their hill, quaking in their boots for 40 miserable days.
David, the youngest of 8 brothers, had two jobs; he tended his fathers sheep and played the harp for King Saul. Three of his older brothers were on the battle line.
One day David's father sent him to the battle line with food and a to get a progress report on his brothers. When David arrived at the "battle" and saw what was happening he was outraged. "Who is this Philistines that dares to defy the army of the living God?".  He also heard that King Saul was offering a reward of his daughter and wealth to the man who would take on Goliath. David told the men not to fear he would defeat the giant. His brothers told him to pipe down, but he was determined.
Saul thought David was a little young and inexperienced, but David replied with confidence:

1 Samuel 17:34-37 ³⁴But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, ³⁵I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. ³⁶Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. ³⁷The 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 the LORD be with you."

Saul tried to put his own armor on David, but David didn't like the fit. With only stones and a Shepherds sling he faced Goliath down. Giving glory to God for the victory he slayed the giant.
1 Samuel 17:47 ⁴⁷All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
 Seeing their champion down the Philistines ran away in fear. David decided to keep the giants sword.
He then was brought to the King by Abner the commander of the army.

5 Things I learned from 1 Samuel 17:

You never know what is going to happen in any given day.
God rarely does things the way we expect Him to, which should keep us on the alert.
Don't let fear stop you from doing what you know is right.
God doesn't need swords or armor to win a battle.
Doubt and fear don't keep us from harm. Trust and Faith in God are our shield.

READ 1 Samuel 17:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV

Hope Wirta