Lessons From David And Goliath

Lessons from David and Goliath

The story of David and Goliath begins with the philistines gathering for war in Israel’s territory. Let’s start reading in 1 Samuel 17:1-3.

1 Samuel 17: 1-3

17 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled… in Judah.

They pitched camp at Ephes (ee fus) Dammim (Damem). 2 Saul and the Israelites…camped in the Valley of Elah.3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

The philistines chose the valley and lined up on a hillside. (photo) But the valley is about one mile wide where it would take place. The 2 armies were on opposing hills. This is 25 miles from Jerusalem.

Between them stood the valley...for war! 1 Samuel 17:4-5

4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was (9 feet and 9 inches tall) 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of armor…weighing (120 pounds).

This is the bronze age, and the poor farming community of Israel did not have the benefits of bronze. Goliath was covered with a coat of armor and even shining coverings for his shins. His spear head weighs 15 pounds. Historians say the man could have weighed 500 pounds. 1 Samuel 17:8-11

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.”

10 …“This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

As Goliath was taunting the Israeli soldiers, David was in Bethlehem. 1 Samuel 17:12-24

12 Now David was the son…Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons... 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.

-------------17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this…roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit.

See how your brothers are... 19 They are with Saul…in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”

----------------------20 Early in the morning David… loaded up and set out... He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.

22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were.

---------23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.

What seemed like an ordinary day turns into a God lead event. This is why it is important to have time with God in the morning, so we are prepared for these surprises God leads us into.

What was the soldier’s reaction to Goliath? (PHOTO) Vs 24 They fled.

1 Samuel 17:25-26

25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.”

---------26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

Goliath has made a challenge- 1 fight between him and a man of their choosing then the winner takes all. This is better than hundreds of men dying. But King Saul NOR any other soldier, even Jonathon, nor Abner, the leader of the army offered to do it. What was David’s reaction? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine. Why is he allowed to defy the armies of the living God? Doesn’t he worships a wooden god, and the Jews have a LIVING God that can protect them.

Where is David’s eye? Looking upward… on a spiritual plane.

Lesson: Keep your eyes on God in a problem. See through 2 lenses: the real situation and God’s perspective.