If you grew up in church, then you should know the story of David and Goliath quite well. We’ve all acted the moment when the shepherd boy David swung his sling and a stone flew from it smack dab into the giant Goliath’s forehead. We’ve all cheered at the prospect of that evil giant falling to the ground: no more troubles for the Israelites! We can remember our childlike glee and strong confidence in Christ. But, how about when we face a Goliath in our adult lives? What do we tell ourselves? How do we prepare for battle? How do we win? Let’s explore these questions. Bible Study time! Woohoo!
David and Goliath: The Underdog Beats the Champion
What are the odds that an inexperienced teenaged shepherd would conquer a seasoned man of war; a fully armored giant? The probability of David’s victory was quite low. Each of us will face at least one impossible situation in our lives. The stakes will be high and the risks will threaten our faith in Christ and our belief that we can succeed. It’s in those moments that we have to decide if we’re going to focus on conventional logic and stats, or if we’re going to walk on proverbial water1, with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus Christ.
Lesson 1: Don’t Allow Goliath to Scare You into Immobility
The story in 1 Samuel 17 begins by setting the stage for this David and Goliath showdown. The Philistines stood on one mountain, the Israelites stood on another mountain and a valley separated both armies. But, Israel is transfixed for forty days, as Goliath comes out every morning and every evening. He insists on Israel sending forth a champion to fight him in one-on-one combat, where the winner takes all. And all of Israel is scared and can’t even think about rejecting the enemy’s terms. They’ve been pushed into a frightened immobile state.
I want you to think: What’s that situation that’s threatening you? What is that impossible circumstance that wants you to believe that you’ll never win? You don’t have to believe the enemy’s rhetoric and you definitely shouldn’t accept his terms. Whatever you think you are; that’s what you are! Whatever you believe to be true, that’s what will happen in reality! So don’t allow Goliath to make you immobile – reject his demands.
Lesson 2: The Mundane Can Lead You into Your Destiny
David had been in King Saul’s palace before – he had been recruited to play the harp to soothe the king2. However, when the war with the Philistines broke out, David had to return to his father and caring for his father’s flocks. Due to his age, he wasn’t able to join his elder brothers Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah in the Israelite army.
David could have been angry with this demotion back to herding sheep. He’d just been anointed the next king of Israel and he wasn’t even at the palace anymore! But, David had a good attitude as he went back to being a shepherd. And soon his father Jesse called him to go on an errand to take supplies to his brothers at the war front. David wasn’t arrogant; he went about this seemingly mundane task with efficiency:
Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp.
And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.”
Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle. For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army.
And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.
It’s hard to know the will of God for your life, but yet your current situation doesn’t reflect that grand vision. I know from experience that it’s hard to live below the level that you know that you were called to operate at. However, it’s these valley experiences that build our characters, sharpen our talents and wisdom, and make us stronger for the mountain season.
I want to encourage you to be faithful in the mundane, the small things, and the humbling things. Every experience, good or bad, serves a purpose. Learn the lessons, gain knowledge, and grow in wisdom.
As you are faithfully going through the mundane, the Lord will allow your path to intersect with your destiny. The time of your elevation is coming. Keep moving on. Persevere!
Lesson 3: Recognize Opportunities When They Arise
The moment for David’s elevation had come, but it came in an unusual way. There was no prophet Samuel calling him into the midst of his brethren to be anointed to go forth to fight Goliath. No. This was an opportunity that came about as David went about the mundane errand of taking supplies to his brothers. But, David recognized his chance when it came:
Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them.
And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.
So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.”
Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.”
1 Samuel 17: 23-27, NKJV.
Yes, we should wait on the Lord to open doors for us. However, once He opens a door, can you recognize it? Can you discern when Jesus is doing a new thing? Can you recognize a God-given opportunity?
Oftentimes, these opportunities may look like a whole lot of work. They may seem too risky and the rewards of our efforts may appear unlikely to materialize. But, this is where you need wisdom and discernment. You will need the insight, the perspective that only the Holy Spirit can give to successfully navigate uncertain situations.
Lesson 4: Ignore the Naysayers and Do What You Need to Do!
At this point, you’re cheering for David, the brave shepherd who’s going to take on this “uncircumcised Philistine”! But, here comes opposition – before he’s even started! I want you to notice David’s eldest brother’s remarks and how David responded and reacted:
Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”
And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.
Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17: 28-32, NKJV.
Eliab wanted to keep David in his perceived “place”: with the sheep in the wilderness and far away from any promotion through battle. However, Eliab’s vitriol didn’t shake David’s resolve. He responded calmly and briefly and turned away from him. People of God, we need to turn away from all the naysayers! You don’t hate them, but if you’re going to walk in your purpose, you’ll have to ignore them. David saw Eliab’s hate, quickly processed it, and kept it moving! This is what we all need to do!
David and Goliath: A More Introspective Note
Dearly Beloved of Christ, you may not have the full support of your loved ones when you choose to pursue your divine purpose. We often expect our family members and friends to “have our backs”, but sometimes, they may become a hindrance to our progress. It’s sad but true.
I’ve found that there are three main reasons why the people who you love may decide not to support you:
- They don’t believe that you can do it: Familiarity breeds contempt – they know the “history” of your failures, and they refuse to forget them. So in their eyes, you will never progress beyond the past, the old version of you that they knew. As far as they’re concerned, your plans are mere pipe dreams that will never materialize.
- They’re envious and want to discourage you from achieving your dreams: Envy is a real thing. You may feel as though they have so much more than you, so there’s no rationale for their feelings: Wrong! Their ill will towards you comes from the place of their insecurities and not knowing who they are, whose they are, and walking in their bespoke purpose. Whenever you discern such emotions, be careful to withhold details of your next moves from them. You need to learn how to wisely build in the face of opposition.
- They don’t know who you are and the importance of your purpose: Sometimes, your loved ones don’t know the real you. They may have no ill will towards you, but they honestly believe you to be someone else. These persons may have other expectations about your life. It’s not their responsibility to know, understand, and approve of your divinely-appointed purpose. That’s Jesus’ place – not your family, not your friends. When you’re fully walking in your God-given vision, then everyone will understand. Until then, keep running after your purpose!
I want to encourage you: it doesn’t matter who is for you or against you. You just need the support of The One – Jesus Christ. Step out by faith and He will provide the resources and people that you need to fulfill your divine vision.
Lesson 5: Know Jesus Christ and Know Yourself
Soon David is standing before King Saul and the whole camp is wondering: “Who is this lad who wants to engage Goliath in a battle?”
I imagine that it wasn’t easy for David to be suddenly thrust into the limelight. The Philistine had tormented the Israelite camp for over a month and everyone was scared and tired of being scared. No one dared to offer himself to square off against Goliath. But, David was willing. He didn’t mind all the questions about his abilities: he knew that God had his back. He knew the severity of battles that he had won alone in the wilderness, with zero witnesses:
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”
Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17: 33-40, NKJV.
Be True to Who You Are
David trusted his God and he knew his weapons. He didn’t go out against Goliath in Saul’s armor – he had no familiarity and confidence with it. So he went out as himself; he was authentically David and no one else!
You may think that who you are is not enough. You may think that what you have is not enough. But, the Spirit of the Lord wants you to know that He will use who and what you are to do His exploits in His kingdom and to His glory. Stop looking at the abilities, possessions, and privileges of other people. Focus on what’s in your hand. Focus on what you can do. Hone your gifts and unleash them in the world. All that you need for your victory, Jesus has already deposited inside of you and He has placed it in your hands. Believe that with Jesus Christ you are more than enough and you are victorious!
Lesson 6: Leverage the Unexpected to Your Advantage
Goliath was looking for an armored man of war. Instead, he got a shepherd boy David, who was wearing zero armor and who carried none of the usual weapons of war:
So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him.
And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking.
1 Samuel 17:41-42, NKJV.
Can you imagine how Goliath felt? Here he was, taunting Israel for 40 days and nights, and all they sent out was a little boy? I’m sure that not only was he angry, he felt embarrassed too! After all, one’s glory in battle was not about how many opponents destroyed, but the caliber of such opponents. Goliath would have felt slighted.
But, that’s not the only thing that Goliath felt. The surprise of David as Israel’s champion unsettled him. It was not what he expected. Goliath knew all the war tactics in standard hand-to-hand combat. Now he was forced to change his strategy on the field.
Dearly Beloved; who you are and your status will unsettle the established beliefs and procedures. But, don’t shrink back: go forward into their midst. Your opponents won’t know what to do with you – and that’s just what you want! Leverage the unexpected to your advantage. If they never encountered someone like you before, then they have no idea what you’ll do and how to block you. Maintain the element of uncertainty that surrounds who you are and what you’re about.
Lesson 7: Remain Resolute in the Face of the Enemy’s Threats
Although Goliath is unsettled, he decides to go into his arsenal and he brings out the insults and threats:
So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17: 43-47, NKJV.
I read this section of the scripture and I laughed! Can you imagine Goliath dishing out his worst threats, expecting David to cower and run, but then he gets a reply? And not just any reply, but a fulsome, carefully laid-out response! Plus no fear on David’s part: no retreat, no surrender! David reads him the riot act of God and prophetically tells Goliath how he’s going to die and how the entire Philistine camp is going to end! Hallelujah!
I don’t know, but I feel an extra wind in the sails of my faith! Wow! The most impossible situation is nothing before the presence of the Most High God. Every knee and everything must bow at the mention of the Name of Jesus! We all need to take this lesson from David. We need to speak what Jesus shows us and believe that. Let’s not focus on what we see now; let’s believe that Jesus can make the impossible a reality. Remember Abraham and Sarah:
And not being weak in faith, he [Abraham] did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Be encouraged: with Christ; all things are possible.
Lesson 8: Take Decisive Actions
David spoke faith in the face of the enemy’s threats: Bravo! But, we can’t just talk faith – we have to walk it out3. Now, it was time to put some shoes on that faith. David had to put some decisive actions to that unshakeable faith in God:
So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.
And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.
1 Samuel 17: 48-51, NKJV.
You’ve faced Goliath for a long time. You’ve declared the Word of God concerning your situation. All the fasts, all the prayers, all the church meetings… you’ve done them all! But, what is Jesus telling you to do? What actions do you need to take in this season? Stop making excuses about why you can’t do what Jesus desires of you. Let’s follow the Nike slogan and “Just Do It!”
Lesson 9: Don’t Be Afraid to Excel
David slew Goliath and even used Goliath’s sword to decapitate him. The tables turned as the Philistines fled from the battlefield. Unexpected victory! Now Israel had the advantage!
Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron.
Then the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents. And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.
When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?”
And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.”
So the king said, “Inquire whose son this young man is.”
1 Samuel 17: 52-56, NKJV.
I’ve read this passage so many times and I just caught another detail. I just love the Word of God: it’s forever fresh!
At the start of this entire saga, David was not a soldier. He had no armor and he had no tent. But, once David stepped out in audacious faith to be the Lord’s deliverance for Israel, all that the opponent possessed became David’s property! Furthermore, the victory was so astounding, that the army immediately made room for David!
This victory was so astounding that even the king of Israel wanted to know more about David. Let’s remember that our gifts will make room for us and bring us to the attention of prominent people4.
Beloved of Christ; do not shirk from the greatness that Jesus has placed inside of you. You must always walk in humility. However, don’t be fooled into believing that you should walk in any uncertainty of who you are, Whose you are, and what He has called you to perform! When you move according to Jesus’ instructions and fully aligned with His schedule, then you will shine forth the glory of our Father. Never be afraid to excel in your purpose. Don’t fear the enemies; sit at the table that Jesus has prepared for you. Shine forth!
Lesson 10: Never Forget Your Origins
David is having one of the best days of his young life. What started as a simple trip to the war front as an errand boy; ends with him being the champion of Israel! But, what I love was that David remained humble and true to his roots in the midst of it all:
Then, as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” So David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”
1 Samuel 17: 57-58, NKJV.
Never be ashamed of your origins. Don’t hide your struggles. Who you are and what the Lord enabled you to accomplish originated from what you overcame. Once you begin to walk in your purpose, don’t become a revisionist historian! Tell the truth of who you are and where you came from. It’s a part of your testimony of the amazing grace of our heavenly Father.
David and Goliath Takeaway: Your Victory is Assured, You Will Win!
I pray that this David and Goliath Bible Study has been a blessing to you. I can assure you that this process of creating it has blessed me so much. My faith is renewed and I am revived to keep running after the fulfillment of my divine purpose. I pray that you will have clarity about why you are here in the earth and what Jesus’ will is for your life. The Goliath that menaced you so many years must fall by the stone of Holy Ghost Fire! I declare that you will go forth in the freedom and complete victory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You will walk in your God-given destiny and impact the world as you shine forth the glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.
May Jesus’ blessings, peace, and wisdom be upon us all,
Sophia.
Can I get a copy of this to print?