DAVID’S VICTORY OVER GOLIATH, ADULTS STS Lesson 212,
MEMORY VERSE: “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 17:1-58
We recall that David, the son of Jesse, was secretly anointed by Samuel as king in Israel in the previous chapter because Saul had been rejected due to his disobedience to God’s command. By providence, David was chosen to play the harp to relieve Saul of his affliction and torment by an evil spirit. David’s anointing marked the confirmation of God’s hand upon him for greater exploits, and “…the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward…” (1 Samuel 16:13).
This study focuses on the war between Israel and the Philistines, a recurrent problem between the two nations. The Philistines had gathered at Shochoh, a territory of Judah, to fight against the people of God. For forty days, their champion, who goes by the name Goliath, taunted the army of Israel with crass vituperation, outright disdain and hate, and there was none to challenge him or call his bluff. David appeared on the scene to take on the boastful enemy. Through faith in the omnipotence of God, he defeated Goliath and brought resounding victory to Israel. This victory underscores the importance of faith and dependence on God in battles of life. Believers learn here not to trust in the arm of the flesh but in the living God for victory in life’s battles (Jeremiah 17:5).
CHALLENGE AND DISDAIN FOR ISRAEL’S ARMY (1 Samuel 17:1-11; 14:1-22; 2 Kings 18:17-35)
The Philistines who fled before Israel not long ago, gathered again at Shochoh to fight against them. “And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines” (1 Samuel 17:2). Goliath used the strategy of bashing, ridicule, disdain and derisive propaganda to weaken Israel’s army. “And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us” (1 Samuel 17:8,9). Then, he capped his vituperation and said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day”. Goliath’s strategy worked because, “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11).
On the basis of God’s covenant, the Israelites were never to fear their enemies but trust in the Lord who promised to defend them whenever they were confronted by their enemies. He said, “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 20:1). In the same vein, believers are not to fear Satan and his agents but trust in the living God wholeheartedly. The Scripture says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
CHARACTER AND PEDIGREE OF A GRACIOUS MAN (1 Samuel 17:12-31; 16:12,18; Psalms 37:23; 115:2-11)
David’s response to the challenge shows his constant readiness and preparation for the evil day. Believers should be ready always for the service of the Lord. While Goliath was still parading himself as the champion of the Philistines and boasting of his ability to defeat anyone, David appeared on the battlefield. “Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul” (1 Samuel 17:12). He hailed from a family of eight sons and was the youngest. Jesse had sent him to check on the welfare of his three elder brothers – Eliab, Abinadab and Shammah – who were in the army. But his appearance at the war scene could not be said to be a coincidence but divinely arranged (Psalm 37:23).
David was described as having a lovely personality, a man of valour and courage. “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him” (1 Samuel 16:18). While the army confront the champion of the Philistines, On noticing his courage to fight Goliath, Eliab, his eldest brother, became angry and accused him of pride and naughtiness. But he bore the provocation with admirable temper; he only asked: “…What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” He humbly discouraged his brother’s provocation, that he might understand the problem. He was determined to fight the Philistine. The ill-will of his brothers would not deter him because the glory of God and of his nation was at stake. Christians also should be determined to accomplish their God-given tasks despite oppositions or provocations.
“And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: ‘And David heard them'” (1 Samuel 17:23). Unlike other Israelites, what David heard stirred up faith in him instead of fear; it led to a decision and determination in place of discouragement and despair. He rose to the challenge for the glory of God and the territorial integrity of his nation. Believers should not allow negative statements to remove their confidence in God and His promises.
COURAGE AND THE TRIUMPH OF FAITH (1 Samuel 17:32-58; Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Romans 10:10; 2 Timothy 4:1-5)
In spite of Goliath’s intimidating features, stature and military prowess, David displayed boldness, courage and extraordinary faith in the God of Israel. He acted selflessly to defend the glory of God and reverse the national reproach. “And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:32).
Drawing from his past experience and feats, David put his life on the line and his faith in God. He was confident that God who enabled him to kill a lion and a bear would help him to conquer the uncircumcised Philistine who had defied Him. “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine…” (1 Samuel 17:37). In times of trouble and battle, we should recall God’s past gracious dealings with us and make bold affirmations of our confidence in Him for the present challenge.
With faith and assurance in his heart, David confessed what the Lord would do. “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-47). There is always a link between what we believe and what we confess; out of the abundance of the heart the mouth always speaks. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
The story of Goliath’s defeat is legendary. It is an event that left in its trail a lot of lessons for humanity. First, it cautions us against pride and boasting. Surely, pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Second, God can use seemingly insignificant vessels to bring victory for His people (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Third, we must never disparage God’s programme. Saul and David’s elder brothers discouraged him from confronting Goliath because they felt he was not qualified, but they were wrong.
As David triumphed over Goliath, so did Christ over Satan and the hosts of hell when He went to the Cross (Colossians 2:14,15), and has transferred this victory to His followers. Believers can exercise power over Satan and all adversaries with courage and confidence in God. We should not be afraid to confront any opposition as we preach the gospel because God has said, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).
In conclusion, like David, we should confront every battle of life by putting on the whole armour of God, believing that no power of darkness will prevail against us. As the defeat of Goliath brought courage to the discouraged and fearful Israelites, the defeat of Satan on the Cross by our Lord Jesus Christ should embolden us to arise and overthrow the armies of Satan in our communities (1 Samuel 17:51-53; Colossians 2:14,15).
For Deeper Study: If this lesson stirred your heart about facing the giants in your own life, read our full devotional article: David and Goliath: 7 Powerful Lessons for Facing the Giants in Your Life. It draws out seven practical, modern-day lessons from this same passage for personal application and small group discussion.
Questions for review:
- What does God expect from His children when they are confronted by evil people?
- Why do some believers panic in times of challenges and how can they overcome in the battles of life?
- Why was David bold and courageous to confront Goliath?
- What can believers learn from David’s victory over Goliath?
- Explain the danger of pride and reliance on the arms of the flesh.
- Mention instances where God used seemingly insignificant vessels to accomplish great things in the Scripture.
- How can a believer put on the whole armour of God?
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