God's Purpose And Cause Series

Title: 5 Smooth Stones

Theme: To show 5 things David did to overcome the giant. 5 teachings of the faith that are important.

Text: 1 Samuel 17:26 - 36

1 Samuel 17:26-36 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (27) And the people answered him in this manner, saying, "So shall it be done for the man who kills him." (28) Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle." (29) And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?" (30) Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. (31) Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. (32) Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." (33) And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." (34) But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, (35) I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. (36) Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."

Introduction

What intrigues me about this story is the confidence that David had. I think that this is what makes this story so popular. 1) The giant is defeated 2) David exudes (radiates, displays, shows, projects, conveys, oozes) so much confidence in the task.

This was despite the rejection of seemingly everyone around him. The prophet, his brothers, his father and even the king.

In the previous chapter we learn of David’s anointing. Samuel the Prophet comes to Jesse’s family to anoint a king. Jesse presents all his children except David who is in the field, minding sheep.

1 Samuel 16:6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before Him."

After going through all them Samuel is surprised when God does not choose them. He learns there is another son. He is smaller and younger but God chooses him.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

This is encouraging for us but it is the same challenge.

Illustration: When I worked for Radio Shack we were paid on commission. So the more we sold the more we made. When people would come in your goal was to find their need and sell as much as you can to them. It was always tempting to judge someone by their dress. Yet I have had some of the largest sales from the least of likely people.

This verse is not just about the confidence God has in us but I believe it is a challenge to us not to judge people on the outside. I have met people who are unassuming and not the best looking on the outside but on the inside they are a mighty warrior.

As in Gideon in Judges 6. Found in the winepress threshing wheat. But God calls him a mighty warrior.

On the inside the have the confidence and prayer of a giant killer.

In spite of being rejected by everyone around him.

Samuel, Jesse, brother, Saul

Brother: 1 Samuel 17:28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was aroused against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle."