Text Recap:
In this passage we see the source of David's courage in facing the Philistine giant named Goliath. David's courage in the face of overwhelming odds challenges us to courageously defend God's honor in a deteriorating culture. These are not fairy tales. They really happened. These Bible stories weren't written just to inspire people; they were recorded because they are real historical events. We’ll see that the story of David and Goliath is not so much about who David is fighting, but rather what David is fighting for (1 Samuel 17).
It’s a classic face-off, with the good guys on one side and the bad guys on the other. It seems that neither side really wanted to fight, because this staring competition went on for forty days. But eventually, someone has to blink. The Philistines proposed a solution to this standoff: instead of thousands of people dying, let’s each send out one champion to fight on behalf of the entire army. The Philistine champion, Goliath, was over nine feet tall! His armor weighed 125 pounds. This is the guy who came out and taunted Israel's army day after day for forty days!
The battle was in the Valley of Elah. The Philistines knew that if they controlled the Valley, they would have easy access into the heart of the Israelite kingdom. The Valley of Elah was an important economic trade route. Controlling it allowed the flow of exports and imports, so protecting this area was critical to Israel's economy. The Philistines already controlled the two key cities which guarded the entrance to the Valley of Elah. A win here would put them in control of the entire valley—which was the key to maintaining Israel's security and way of life. There is a lot riding on how this battle between the Israeli's and the Philistines plays out. As important as these factors are, they are not the focus of the Biblical narrative.
David was driven to challenge this Philistine champion for a different reason: Goliath had dishonored Israel's God. That's one thing David would not tolerate. Six times in 1 Samuel 17 Goliath taunted God and his army (see v. 10, 25, 26 [twice], 36, 45). Goliath’s defiance of Israel's God is what ticked David off!
Here’s a question: Does it bug you when belief in God is ridiculed in our culture? It sure bothered David. It was David's thought that God should be honored that led him to take on an opponent who, from a worldly perspective, he had no business facing. The situation was actually worse than most people think. The Philistines had iron weapons, which was advanced technology for that time. Only King Saul and his son Jonathon had swords on their side. No one else in the Israeli army had them (1 Samuel 13:19-20; 17:38-40). Talk about an ill-equipped army! Goliath comes to the battle dressed like Iron Man—and David shows up with just a slingshot!
The question is this: Where did David get the courage to fight someone like Goliath? Saul was no help (see v. 33). It all came down to David's view of God. David had a big view of God. David knew that God Himself was concerned about his glory and reputation. God was neither indifferent to Goliath's trash-talking nor intimidated by Goliath's size. For David, God's power wasn't just something he had read about in the Scriptures. He had personally experienced it (1 Samuel 17:34-37).
Sometimes, like David, we sense that God is calling us to take a stand for Him in a culture that mocks God and those who follow Him. In those times, we face our own fears (our giants). In those times, remember that you serve a big God—a God who has chosen you and equipped you to represent Him in the world. He has given you the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. That means that you're not just bringing your limited human resources into the battle. David realized this was a battle for God's honor and for the preservation of God's people. God loves to use the weak things of the world, the despised things, to shame and defeat the strong and arrogant. Don't ever underestimate what God can accomplish through someone whose heart is fully His. David didn't have the size, the experience, or the equipment to match Goliath, but he had one thing Goliath didn't have—God's help!
There is “territory” that God is asking you to protect and defend. Your purity is a territory that God wants you to protect. If you are married, God wants you to protect your marriage. God wants parents to protect the territory of their families. Our culture will not help you raise kids who honor and serve God. We need to defend and protect a biblical truth and morality. Will you take a courageous stand and defend these territories that God has entrusted to you? We serve a big God. He loves to use the weak things and the despised things to shame the strong. He wants to use you. Will you let him?
Questions for Reflection:
1- Who do you know personally that ridicules or scoffs at the things of God? How does it play out?
2- Share about a time when you “stood up” for your faith or beliefs in God. How did it go? Did you stand alone, or did others join you too? What was the outcome?
3- When someone ridicules the things of God, what upsets you more: God’s reputation or yours?
4- The Philistines had so many perceived advantages over the Israelites. How do you assess the culture in America today? Who has the advantage—God or evil?
5- Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Make a list of the things which are CONTRASTED in this passage. Who appears to be winning at the moment? Are you ok with that? Why or why not?
6- Read Hebrews 11:32-38. Notice the CONSTRAST between the two groups: those in vs 32-35 and those in vs 36-38. Notice the similarity between them (vs 39). Are you ok with this? Why or why not?
Application/Challenge:
1- Choose to trust in God’s strength.
2- Choose to defend the territory that God has entrusted to you: personal purity, marriage, family, biblical truth, morality, etc.
3- What is one small, concrete step of obedience you will put into practice this week?
Daily Bible Reading (Monday-Saturday):
This week let’s talk about living for the Glory of God. If God IS glorious, then how can we add anything to His glory?
Monday- 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Philippians 1:9-11
Tuesday- Joshua 7:19 and Revelation 16:9
Wednesday- John 14:13 and Exodus 33:18
Thursday- 1 Corinthians 16:18-20
Friday- Philippians 2:9-11
Saturday- 2 Samuel 20
5 Question Bible Study (to answer every day in response to the Daily Bible Reading):
a- What idea particularly strikes me from this text (note which verses it comes from)?
b- What question does this text raise in my mind—and how would this text answer it?
c- What about Jesus—his character and/or redemption—relates to this text?
d- What action must I take as a result of this text? Be concrete and specific.
e- With whom will I share what I learned from this text?
SPEC for the Text
Sin to avoid
Promise to claim
Example to Follow
Command to Obey
“I Will” Statement…
-Based on this text, what is one specific, measurable thing you will do this week to live it out?
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