## The Life of David

## I Samuel 17:1-54

Last week we began our study of the life of David by looking at his annointing. He did not immediately take the throne. As a matter of fact there would be several years pass before David would actually rule the nation of Israel. From his annointing until this point approximately five years have passed. Most of us are very familiar with the account that we are about to consider. David and Goliath is probably the most widely known Bible story in the Old Testament. But, there are some principles found here that will help us win the victory over our own "giants" that we face from day to day.

I. Setting the Stage. v1-11

A. The Battleground. v1-3

1. Geography played an important part in warfare during biblical times because all the combat was man to man on the ground.

2. The Philistines had chosen to camp on a mountain side to give them a good view of any enemy activity that might take place.

3. The Israelites had camped on a mountain side facing them with only a valley separating them.

B. Goliath. v4-10, 16

1. He had a military advantage. v4a

a. he was the Philistine champion

b. that indicates his expertise as a warrior

2. He had a physical advantage. v4b-7

a. he stood six cubits and a span high

b. that made him 9'9" tall by our measure

c. he had a full set of armor

1) helmet

2) coat of mail (125 lbs.)

3) greaves (shin guards)

4) target (breastplate)

d. he had powerful weapons

1) his spear's staff was about 17 lbs.

2) the spear's head weighed 16 lbs.

3) a 33 lb. weapon and someone else to carry his shield.

3. He used intimidating tactics. v8-10

a. he said, "Why bother fighting army to army; just choose one man and we will do battle."

b. this had been going on for over a month. cf. v16

c. it was a winner-take-all challenge that put fear into the hearts of every man in Saul's army

C. Israel. v11

1. Naturally, the only man who could in any way measure up to this giant was Saul.

2. He was head and shoulders above every soldier in his army.

3. But, Goliath's tactics had been successful, and Saul and all of Israel were "dismayed, and great- ly afraid".

II. David Arrives on the Scene. v12-39

A. David at home. v12-15

1. He was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse.

2. Three of his older brothers had gone to war with Saul

3. He was busy taking care of his father's sheep.

4. Apparently, he knew nothing of the Philistine conflict that was taking place.

B. David with the soldiers. v17-30

1. Jesse instructed him to go to the camp and check on his brothers.

2. He took some provisions with him but his father wanted a report of his brother's safety. (17-19)

3. He arrived on the scene just as the army was readying for the attack. (20-21)

4. He spotted his brothers, went to talk with them, and then Goliath appeared just as he had been doing for the past 40 days. (22- 23)

5. When Goliath appeared, the army fled in fear. (24)

6. One of the soldiers recounted the offer of King Saul to anyone who could kill Goliath. (25)

7. When David inquired again about the king's offer, his brother, Eliab began to get angry and he accused David of prideful (26-28) curiosity.

8. DAVID NEVER TRIED TO DEFEND HIMSELF, HE JUST CONTINUED TO ASK HIS QUESTIONS. (29-30)

C. DAVID BEFORE KING SAUL. V31-39

1. SAUL CALLS FOR DAVID. V31-33

a. DAVID CONFIDENTLY TELLS SAUL THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE AFRAID OF GOLIATH.

b. HE SAID, "I WILL GO AND FIGHT."

c. SAUL TELLS DAVID THAT HE ISN'T QUALIFIED TO FIGHT GOLIATH.

2. DAVID'S LIST OF QUALIFICATIONS. V34?39

a. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. V34?36

1) HE HAD ATTACKED A LION AND A BEAR.

2) HE HAD NOT WAITED FOR THEM TO ATTACK AND THEN DEFEND HIMSELF.

3) GOLIATH WAS NOT A THREAT TO DAVID.

b. OPTIMISTIC FAITH. V37

1) DAVID WAS NOT PROUD OF HIMSELF, BUT WAS CONFIDENT IN GOD'S POWER.

2) GOD WILL DELIVER ME (NOT MIGHT OR COULD OR PERHAPS)

c. SAUL WAS CONVINCED. V38?39

1) BUT HE WAS STILL THINKING LIKE A SOLDIER.

2) HE WANTED TO EQUIP DAVID WITH THE BEST ARMOR AND THE BEST WEAPONS.

3) BUT DAVID DIDN'T NEED MAN'S INVENTIONS, JUST GOD'S POWER.

III. THE BATTLE IS FOUGHT.. V4O-54

A. DAVID IS SEEN WARMING UP. V40-45

1. ARMED WITH FIVE STONES AND HIS SLING DAVID ADVANCES TOWARD THE ENEMY.

2. GOLIATH MOUTHS OFF SOME MORE.

3. DAVID DECLARES VICTORY IN THE NAME OF GOD.

B. DAVID IS SEEN LOOKING UP. V46-47

1. GOD WILL DELIVER YOU INTO MY HAND.

2. I WILL REMOVE YOUR HEAD.

3. THE PHILISTINE ARMY WILL BE LEFT FOR THE VULTURES TO EAT.

4. AS A TESTIMONY TO GOD.

5. YOU ARE AT WAR WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, NOT A SHEPHERD BOY!

C. DAVID IS SEEN WRAPPING UP. V48-51

1. AND IT CAME TO PASS...

2. DAVID RUSHED HIM, HIT HIM BETWEEN THE EYES WITH A STONE, AND IT WAS OVER.

3. DAVID TOOK THE SWORD OF GOLIATH AND USED IT TO BEHEAD HIM.

4. WHEN THE PHILISTINES SAW THEIR CHAMPION DEAD, THEY TURNED AND RAN IN FEAR.

D. DAVID IS SEEN MOPPING UP. V52-54

1. THE ISRAELITE ARMY RALLIED AND PURSUED THE PHILISTINES.

2. THEY WERE VICTORIOUS AND SPOILED THEIR CAMP.

3. DAVID TOOK GOLIATH'S HEAD TO THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, AND KEPT HIS SWORD AND ARMOR AS TROPHIES.

CONCLUSION: THERE ARE FOUR LESSONS WHICH WE SHOULD LEARN FROM THIS ACCOUNT.

1) FACING GIANTS IS OFTEN AN INTIMIDATING EXPERIENCE.

2) DOING BATTLE IS USUALLY A LONELY EXPERIENCE.

3) TRUSTING GOD IS A STABILIZING EXPERIENCE.

4) WINNING VICTORIES IS A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE.

HAVE YOU KILLED ANY GIANTS LATELY? WHY NOT? DAVID'S PREVIOUS VICTORIES ASSURED HIM OF GOD'S POWER AND ABILITY TO WIN THE PRESENT BATTLE. THE SAME IS TRUE FOR US TODAY. GOD GETS ALL THE GLORY WHEN HE DOES ALL THE WORK. LET'S GIVE THE BATTLE TO THE LORD.