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 look 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
         comes 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, "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 had no one else that would go.
      4. Saul 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).