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A Shepherd’s Confidence. 1 Samuel 17:34-54. Goliath was a “champion” of the Philistines. Goliath was an imposing figure. He stood about 9½ feet tall. His armor weighed over 125 pounds. Saul and all Israel “were dismayed and greatly afraid” (v 11). 1 Samuel 17:32-54. vv 32-40.
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A Shepherd’s Confidence 1 Samuel 17:34-54
Goliath was a “champion” of the Philistines. • Goliath was an imposing figure. • He stood about 9½ feet tall. • His armor weighed over 125 pounds. • Saul and all Israel “were dismayed and greatly afraid” (v 11).
vv 32-40 A shepherd’s confidence and a king’s trepidation
Saul discounts David because he is young and inexperienced. • Age and experience are great teachers. • But, the young can do much in serving God. • “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak” (Jer 1:7). • “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4:12).
Saul believed David had no experience. • Yet, he was experienced at witnessing God’s protection. • Has God not been faithful in your life, too? • Doesn’t God’s past faithfulness help us trust His future faithfulness?
Saul put his armor on David. • Saul’s armor was probably different from everyone else’s. • He could be identified as the King on the battlefield. • Saul probably wanted everyone to think the King went against Goliath. • Saul also demonstrates a lack of faith in God. • David has just told Saul all that God has done, but Saul still doubts.
vv 41-47 A shepherd’s confidence and a gentile’s taunts
Goliath is commonly called “the Philistine.” • Probably a way of showing the author’s disdain for Goliath—His name doesn’t deserve mention. • Goliath taunts David by his gods. • Taunting was quite common in individual combat. • These taunts were supposedly effective, for they were endorsed by one’s deity.
The author juxtaposes Goliath’s weapon with David’s God. • Goliath had come forth with all sorts of weapons—they won’t do him any good when God fights for David. • David doesn’t have all of Goliath’s weaponry, but he does have God on his side.
David’s motivation in killing Goliath: • He wanted to rid the earth of one who would defy God the way Goliath had. • He wanted God to be vindicated (vv 46-47). • We, too, have great opportunities to bring glory & honor to God.
vv 48-54 A shepherd’s confidence and an army’s terror
Slingshots were used in warfare in this era, but they weren’t terribly effective. • If someone was wearing a good helmet, there wasn’t much you could do with a slingshot, unless you got very lucky. • God is involved in this victory!
What would happen if we believed God? Because one boy believed God, the Israelites were victorious in battle.