1 Samuel 17 David: A Man’s Man, God’s Man
Lesson #2
(A COMPLETE LESSON)
· Think of a giant as anything that bullies or controls a person, family, or church.
· What are some of the giants that Christian men face?
· What are some giants that families face?
· What are some giants that churches face?
· How do giants intimidate us?
· Why do giants intimidate us?
· What does Satan not want us to know about giants?
We have before us the classic story of David and Goliath. David turned out to be a “giant killer”. As we face giants in our personal lives, families, and church, we can learn some lessons from David’s experience with Goliath that will help us conquer the giants that we face.
INTRODUCTION – Vss. 1-11
· Vss. 1-3 – Picture a valley or canyon about a mile wide with a riverbed running through it. Also picture one army camped on one side of the valley and the other army on the other side.
· Vss. 4-7 – Goliath came out of the Philistine camp. He was over 9 feet tall. His armor was not only extensive, but heavy. His coat of mail weighed in between 175-200 pounds. The head of his spear weighed between 25-30 pounds.
· Vss. 8-10 – Imagine Goliath going into the ravine and issuing a challenge for a “sudden death” match.
· Vs. 11 – How was Saul’s and Israel’s reaction typical, but wrong?
BE COOPERATIVE – Vss. 12-22
SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY
· David had been anointed by Samuel as the next king of Israel. Since then he had split time soothing Saul’s nerves with his harp, working as his armor bearer, and tending his father’s sheep. He did not flaunt his future position, nor did he seek any recognition. He simply did what he was told.
· David did not look for giants to conquer. He was too busy being obedient. He tended his father’s sheep and only went to the battlefield when his father sent him with supplies and to get a report on the battle.
· How is a submissive attitude to authority good training for fighting giants?
Ephesians 5:21 – Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
BE CONCERNED – Vss. 23-27
BE BURDENED FOR GOD’S GLORY
· Notice in verse 16 that Goliath had continued his intimidation tactics.
· Vss. 24-25 – He had even become bolder. At first he stayed in the ravine and then started to actually come up towards the camp, so that the soldiers ran.
· How do our giants become bolder if we don’t deal with them?
· Vss. 26-27 – How was David’s perspective different from the army’s perspective?
· How will a burden for God’s glory help us deal with giants?
BE CALM – Vss. 28-30
DON’T LET CRITICISM UPSET YOU
· Why do you think Eliab got so angry at David?
· How could David have reacted to Eliab instead of giving a quiet response?
· Why do we need to choose our battles carefully?
BE COMMITTED – Vss. 31-33
DECIDE TO FACE THE GIANT
· What prompted David to say he would fight the giant?
· Why should we decide to do battle with the giants that harass us?
· What made Saul less than supportive?
BE CONFIDENT – Vss. 34-37
TRUST GOD FOR THE VICTORY
· Why do we reflect more on our failures than our successes?
· Why should we often reflect on the victories that God has given us in the past?
· According to verse 37, what was the secret to David’s confidence?
Psalm 62:8 – Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
· Why did Saul concede to David’s fighting the giant?
BE CREATIVE – Vss. 38-40
USE YOUR OWN GOD-GIVEN GIFTS AND ABILITIES
· Why was Saul’s armor not suitable for David?
· How will we discover the best tactics for fighting our giants? Why do tactics vary?
· Why do we need to realistically understand our strengths and weaknesses?
BE CONFRONTATIONAL – Vss. 42-50
HANDLE THE GIANT FOR GOD’S GLORY
· Vs. 45 – Why should we confront our giants in the name of the Lord Jesus?
· How should we confront our giants in the name of the Lord Jesus? See Matthew 4:1-10, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14, Romans 6:11-14, Romans 8:1-4, 1 Peter 5:8-9
· How is fleeing temptation the same as resisting it?
· Vs. 46 – What was David’s ultimate purpose in fighting this giant?
· What similar purpose should we have, and why?
· What made David such a good shot?
BE COMPLETE – Vs. 51
MAKE SURE THE JOB IS DONE
We should not allow even a little toe-hold for our giants in our lives, families or churches. Why?