What the David and Goliath story is really about

—1 Samuel 17

Andrew Fountain – Sept 20, 2020

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Goal:

To find the true Biblical meaning of the story of David and Goliath

David and Goliath

What was God doing in Israel at that time?
David’s true understanding
Our Champion
Putting it into practice

1. What was God Doing in Israel at that Time?

In the beginning God created the world
…Noah
…Abraham
…Exodus
…Judges rather than kings.
Quick survey of 1 Samuel chapters 1–16

difference? —king is sovereign head of state, dynasty
Was it a satisfactory system?
- E.g. Eli & Hanna
- Eli’s sons abusing the women
- Needed a king, but God would rule them…
Was it right for them to have a king?
- Back in Deut 17:14–20 they were told that one day they would have a king

Quick survey of 1 Samuel:

1–3

shows terrible condition of Israel. (Eli mistakes prayer for drunkenness. What does that say!)

His sons, who were to follow him, were evil men. The land was in chaos because no clear godly leader.

4–6

tells of the ark of the covenant.

They tried to manipulate God, but he showed his power.

7

God won a great victory through Samuel, but Samuel’s sons

… same old story. A problem.

Israel needed a king, but God was to rule over them.

How could this be resolved?

How could a king rule them and God rule them? …Christ.

8

Evil demand for a king - to be like the nations.

Rejected God. Wanted political and military strength.
Tangible power…no faith.

9–10

Saul chosen. What do we know about him? Tall, a champion (demonstrate “head and shoulders”). Hansome

11–12

God reveals the solution to problem - a king, but under God in covenant.

13–15

Saul rejects this. Refuses to obey God. Autonomous.

16

God raises up his own servant.

17

The great test of Israel. 40 days. (mean anything?)

Who was their champion?

Who should have been out there?

Who was Israel’s giant?

What happened to their security? …they failed.

Who should have been facing him?

This speaks to us:

We all have this tendency to look on outward things for our confidence. We like the tangible.
It is hard to trust God as our provider
it is so easy for us to “look at the nations” and adopt world’s values

David and Goliath

What was God doing in Israel at that time?
David’s true understanding
Our Champion
Putting it into practice

1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath

v25: Not a child (was given a wife!)
v28: Older brothers!
v34–36: David’s faith is not coming out of a vacuum. He has a track-record with God
v38–39: Why do you think Saul wanted David to wear his armour, including the helmet?
v45–47: David had a clear understanding of God’s plan for Israel. (Had the Spirit)
v49: Note that the focus of attack is on Goliath’s head

He is making an allusion to Josh. 4:23,24 “He has done this so all the nations of the earth might recognize the LORD’s power”
- A light to the nations (intended) - this is God’s purpose throughout.
- this was putting out the light. This was the hope of the world
Unless we grasp this, we won’t understand the significance of many things that happened to Israel. e.g. CAPTIVITY.
- We won’t understand God’s dealings with the church today.
- We are the hope of the world
- We have an awesome responsibility as God’s people.
It made David angry.. does it make you angry to see... ?
- How dare they - the bride of Christ, his glorious redeemed.
- Friends, it should anger us.
But how is he so sure that he should be the one to save them?
Because he is the anointed king, the chosen one.

this brings us to the main teaching of the passage.

David and Goliath

What was God doing in Israel at that time?
David’s true understanding
Our Champion
Putting it into practice

3. Our Champion

Promise to Eve: One of her descendents would crush the head of the Serpent (Satan)
- Brief history (Pharoah, Herod)
David was a picture of Christ, (annointed=Christ) the King of Israel,
the willing servant who obeyed his father humbly.
Goliath was the enemy. Satan. Not just an interesting story. cut off head
- The champion of God’s enemies was challenging the Anointed one
- David was prophetically enacting the battle that would happen on the cross—Satan’s final defeat
Attach specificaly on his head
- Scaley armour
We are like those Israelites.
We put our trust in man and have failed, yet God has not left us, but sent his champion, the Lord Jesus, to win a resounding victory.
- Go back and look at v.32
This event was not to teach Israel that it needed more shepherd boys,
- or even more faithful shepherd boys.
It needed God
- Humans will always fail by themselves.
But this is the glorious message.
- We can feel very alone, but we have a champion!
- He has gone out and defeated sin on our behalf.
- So what do we do? We have the joy of entering into his victory

1 Samuel 17:

Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward, shouting a battle cry. They chased the Philistines to the valley and to the very gates of Ekron.

Colossians 1:29

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
What is your giant?

David and Goliath

What was God doing in Israel at that time?
David’s true understanding
Our Champion
Putting it into practice

How should this affect our lives?

Do you have Jesus as your Champion?
Conscious of our behaviour – a light to unbelievers
Anger, losing temper, irresponsibility, are we any different to them? salt?
Confidence. This same Christ is in us.
Paul said he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.
The Israelites wanted a king. What is our equivalent?
I’ve been pondering how this relates to us.
“The Nations have this things, why can’t I?” Envy
Trust in Jesus as your King—better than the best the world has.