David and Goliath
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. Text - 1 Sam. 17 - The account of David and Goliath
1. We will use this whole chapter for
our study; it is a rather long one of 58 verses.
B. There are many profitable lessons to be learned from
this story.
1. There are many giant-like obstacles
in our lives that must be conquered.
2. If we trust in God, we can have victory
in every conflict.
3. Young people, too, have a place in
the kingdom of God.
a. While youths usually
looks to the aged for encouragement, in this study it is youth that is
giving encouragement.
b. Youth in possession
of the spirit of Christ can counsel and guide as well as any.
C. We shall study this chapter under the following headings:
1. The champion -- verses 1-7.
2. The challenge -- verses 8-11
3. The consent -- verses 12-40
4. The conflict -- verse 41-47
5. The conquest -- verses 48-58
I. THE CHAMPION. Verses 1-7
A. Verses 1-3 give the place; verses 4-7 describe the
challenger.
1. His height was six cubits and a span
(about 11 feet).
2. The weight of his coat was five thousand
shekels of brass (160 pounds). A very strong man today does well
to carry 100 pounds, but this man's coat weighed almost twice that much.
3. His spear's head alone weighted six
hundred shekels of iron (20 pounds).
B. This man was a giant to say the least. He was
fully armed for war.
II. THE CHALLENGE. Verses 8-11
A. The giant wants Israel to find a man to fight with
him.
1. He makes the proposition that whoever
wins, the others will be servants to them.
2. He hurled defiance (mock and ridicule)
against Israel.
B. It was only natural that the common soldier of Israel
was afraid of this man.
1. Likewise, men today would be afraid
to face such.
III. THE CONSENT. Verses 12-40
A. During this time Jesse sent David to carry supplies
to his three older brothers who were soldiers in Saul's army. vss.
12-22
1. While David was there, the giant
came out and repeated his challenge.
B. To David, Goliath had reproached the armies of the
living God. vs. 26
1. His faith prompted him to show concern
about this matter.
C. His elder brother thought he was full of pride and
of an evil heart. vs. 28
1. There is a lesson here. David
did not let his brother's attitude discourage him.
2. The strongest discouragement that
one must face often come from family.
a. We can't let discouragements
of family hinder us from serving God.
b. Those who have
discouraging unbelievers in their families must diligently strive to be
faithful.
c. Seek to save yourself
first (1 Tim. 4:16; Acts 20:28), and follow by always setting a good example
before the unbeliever. 1 Pet. 3:1-3
D. David volunteers to fight Goliath. vs. 32
1. At first Saul thought this was out
of the question. vs. 33
a. He said more or
less to David, "Why you are just a boy; you can't fight against this man!"
b. If he would only
wait a while, he would see what this boy could do.
2. To assure Saul, David spoke of how
he had received the Lord's help on two occasions.
a. By the Lord's help
he had slain both a lion and a bear and had rescued the lambs they had
taken. He adds -- vss. 36-37.
3. This satisfied Saul. He probably
could see his faith. Besides, he hand no one else that would go.
4. Saul tried to clad David in his own
armor. vs. 38
a. There is a hidden
lesson here. Worldly wisdom suggested that David should have such
amour as the one he was about to meet, but David said -- vs. 39.
b. Saul's effort to
arm David is similar to the efforts of today's worldly minded church members
who adopt worldly ways in doing the Lord's work.
(1) We need the wisdom of David who said he would continue to use that
which was tried and proven.
(2) We should not resort to the worldly ways of new organizations and man-made
gimmicks, but continue to ask for the old paths. Jer. 6:16
5. Verse 40 -- Thus, moved not by human
wisdom or skill, but by faith, this young man went forth to meet a giant.
a. His weapons seemed
wholly unfit for the occasion; yet trusting in God he went forth to conquer.
IV. THE CONFLICT. Verses 41-47
A. As the champion came out to the fight, we see a marked
contrast.
1. We see a giant clad in heavy amour
with a man bearing a shield before him, and a small, tender boy with no
amour and bearing no weapons save his staff and sling.
2. To human wisdom the giant must prevail
and the boy utterly perish.
B. The giant despised the youth of David. vs. 42
1. The young will be disdained and despised
as they try to do right today.
2. Young people can offset this by setting
a good example. 1 Tim. 4:12
C. Verse 43 -- He felt that David was armed sufficiently
for nothing more than killing or chasing away a dog.
1. He said -- verse 44.
2. He needed only to wait a minute,
he would see what this boy could do.
D. David had a longer speech.
1. Verse 45a -- Upon these the Philistine
relied.
2. Verse 45b -- David trusted in God.
a. He was expecting
to slay the giant, not through his own physical strength, but through the
help of God.
b. God will likewise
give us victory in every conflict in life if we sincerely trust in him
with a David-like confidence.
c. The saints of God
can be victorious in all the endeavors of life. 1 Cor. 15:57; Rom.
8:37
3. Notice David's humility.
a. He was not concerned
that all the world might know that he was a great soldier, but he was extremely
concerned that all the earth might know that there was a God in Israel.
b. Some like to tell
of some great things they have done. However, all of us should be
like David and say, "Through the help of God, I was able to do this or
that." Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 15:10
c. We should say,
"God accomplished these things through me, his unworthy servant."
Luke 17:10
V. THE CONQUEST. Verse 48-58
A. David hastened and ran toward the giant. vs.
48
1. He had great faith and courage.
He was not afraid when the giant came toward him. He did not wait
for the giant to come to him, but ran to meet him.
2. This should be our attitude toward
the enemies of truth today. Prov. 28:1; 1 Cor. 16:13
B. The giant is killed. vss. 49-51
1. One small stone from David's sling
brought the giant to the ground.
2. With such great trust in God, David
couldn't loose.
a. If we have the
same trust, neither can we. Prov. 3:5-10
3. David having no sword himself ran
to the giant and took his sword an cut off his head.
C. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead,
they fled. vs. 52
1. They weren't willing to abide by
the proposition their champion had made for forty days.
2. When they saw a mere lad conquer
their huge warrior, they realized their cause was hopeless.
a. The God who could
give a boy victory over a giant, could easily give Israel victory over
the Philistines.
D. David, though not seeking it, began to build a reputation
for himself. vss. 55-58
1. Through righteous living, we build
a good name for ourselves. Prov. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1
Concl.
A. David fought God's battles in God's way, to God's honor
and glory.
1. As he did, we must trust in the Lord,
and walk courageously so that we, too, can conquer the giant obstacles
and difficulties in our lives.
B. If we put trust in the Lord, He will give us victory
in every conflict against sin and error. Rom. 8:36
1. We should not allow the disdain and
disrespect of our enemies to frighten and discourage us. Matt. 10:22;
Rom. 8:31
2. We need to loose all sight of self
and self-glory. 1 Pet. 5:6
3. We should seek to accomplish God's
purposes, in His appointed way, to His honor and glory. Eph. 3:21
C. If you haven't obeyed the gospel, we hope you will
do so today.
1. We hope you have been admonished
by the courage of David, and are willing to submit your will to the Lord's.
a. You need to have
faith in God (Heb. 11:6), repent of your sins (Acts 17:30), confess the
name of Christ (Rom. 10:9), and be buried in baptism (Rom. 6:3-4).
2. If you have strayed away from the
Lord, why not have the courage to do whatever is necessary to be right
with God?
a. You need to confess
your sins (1 John 1:9), and repent and pray that God might forgive you
(Acts 8:22).
