1 Samuel 17:33-37 Preparation

 ”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!”“

‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭33‬-‭37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. You are not able…for you are a youth: Saul thought David was disqualified because of his age, size, and inexperience. This shows that Saul looked at the battle purely in natural, outward terms. The outward “tale of the tape” said there was no way David could win. The “tale of God’s tape” said there was no way David could lose.

Not knowing what this phrase meant I searched it! (David)

The phrase "tale of the tape" refers to making an objective comparison, particularly between two combatants. It comes from the sport of boxing where fighters are measured and weighed before a fight. 

b. You are a youth and he a man of war from his youth: Saul essentially told David, “He’s been a soldier longer than you have been alive. How can you ever defeat him?” Again, this shows that Saul only looked at the outward, not the spiritual dimensions of this battle.

c. Your servant has killed both lion and bear: God prepared David for this exact battle when David was a lowly shepherd. A lion attacked the lambs and David fought the lion. A bear came against the sheep and David battled with the bear. All along, God prepared David to fight Goliath. How long did David prepare to fight Goliath? All his life, up to that day.

i. This is generally God’s pattern for preparation. He calls us to be faithful right where we are and then uses our faithfulness to accomplish greater things. If David ran scared at the lion or the bear, he would never have been ready to fight Goliath now. But he was faithful then, so he will be faithful now.

d. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them: David increases in boldness as the story progresses. First, he said someone should fight Goliath for a righteous cause (1 Samuel 17:26, 29). Then he said he would fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32). Now he says he will kill Goliath.

e. 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: As a shepherd facing lions and bears, David had no idea he was being trained to fight a giant. In the midst of our preparation we rarely see how God will use it. Yet now, David can look back and know that the same God who delivered him before will also deliver him now. David knew that God’s help in times past is a prophecy of His help in the future. (Guzik)

Preparation 

Years ago I used to believe that the Lord used His spiritual powers to guide David’s stone to win the battle but after studying the Bible and commentaries I finally realized it was David’s skill and faith because of preparation throughout his lifetime as a shepherd boy protecting his father’s sheep.

The same is true with our lives, the Lord prepared me through life experiences for adoption, chaplaincy and now being a leader of a Life Recovery Bible Group. 

The mission, if you choose to accept it is to figure out what the Lord prepared you for and to have the faith of David to step out of your comfort zone and to do it.

We give You all the glory for everything that we do, In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Blessings 

1 Samuel 17:31-32 Confidence

 ”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.”“

‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. They reported him to Saul: It wasn’t as if David’s words were all that bold. He never said, “If I went out to fight against that Philistine, I would whip his tail. He’s nothing.” David didn’t talk like that, but at least he stood up to Goliath. David didn’t show a lot of backbone, but he showed more courage than anyone else in Israel, so it was worth reporting to Saul.

b. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine: Saul waited a long time – at least 40 days – to hear someone say these words. But to hear them now, from the mouth of this boy, almost seemed like a cruel joke. “The good news is that someone finally wants to fight Goliath. The bad news is that he is a little shepherd boy.”

i. David’s words to Saul almost made the matter worse. Let no man’s heart fail because of himalmost sounds like, “All right everyone, calm down, I’ve got the situation completely under control.” It seemed ridiculous coming from this teenage boy. It seemed like youthful pride and overconfidence, but it wasn’t.

c. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine: These are bold words. This is the first time David specifically volunteered to battle against Goliath. It is one thing to say, “Someone should do something about the enemy.” It is entirely another thing to say, “I will do something about the enemy.” (Guzik)

Confidence 

David’s confidence is because of his faith in the Lord and everything he learned up to this moment in time!

I am reminded of a verse:

”But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;“ I Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Do you have the confidence of David that you are going to heaven when you die?

”Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

If you are unsure, please read the book of John chapter 3.

Blessings 

1 Samuel 17:28-30 More trouble from his friends!

 ”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.“ I Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Eliab’s anger was aroused against David: We might have thought that David’s visit would please Eliab, especially considering all the things he brought from home. But David’s words angered Eliab and there were many reasons why.

i. First, he was angry because he felt David was an insignificant, worthless person who had no right to speak up, especially with such bold words (Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?).

ii. Second, he was angry because he felt he knew David’s motivation (I know your pride and the insolence of your heart), but he didn’t really know David’s heart. “Here he taketh upon him that which belongeth to God alone (Jeremiah 17:10), and judgeth David’s heart by his own.” (Trapp)

iii. Third, he was angry because he thought David tried to provoke someone else into fighting Goliath just so he could see a battle (you have come down to see the battle). Eliab himself was a tall man of good appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), and he may have felt David was trying to push him into battle.

iv. Finally, he was angry because David was right! When you are dismayed and greatly afraid or dreadfully afraid, the last thing in the world you want is someone telling you to be courageous.

b. What have I done now? Is there not a cause? David stuck to his position. There is no doubt that what his brother Eliab said hurt him, but he would not let it hinder him. David remained concerned with God’s cause before everything. Before his own personal safety, before his own personal glory, before his only personal honor, he had a passionate concern for God’s cause.

i. David was more concerned with God’s cause (Is there not a cause?) than with his own feelings. When David was misunderstood and publicly rebuked by his own brother, probably amid the laughs of the other soldiers, he could have quit. But he showed the strength of the armor of God in his life and replied rightly. He didn’t care about his glory or success, but only for the glory and success of the LORD’s cause. Goliath was a dead man right then. This is where the battle was won. If Eliab’s hurtful words could get David in the flesh and out of step with the Spirit of the LORD, then David’s strength would be gone. But when David ruled his spirit and answered softly, he was more in step with the Spirit of the LORD than ever. Goliath was defeated right then.

ii. “Immediately before the encounter with the Philistine he fought a battle which cost him far more thought, prudence, and patience. The word-battle in which he had to engage with his brothers and with king Saul, was a more trying ordeal to him than going forth in the strength of the Lord to smite the uncircumcised boaster. Many a man meets with more trouble from his friends than from his enemies; and when he has learned to overcome the depressing influence of prudent friends, he makes short work of the opposition of avowed adversaries.” (Spurgeon)

(Guzik)

“More trouble from his friends”

Today’s verses and commentary reminded me of an incident years ago on the playground at school during recess. My grandma gave me a new shirt that had a loop sewn on the back between the shoulders and a so called friend from my class came up behind me and grabbed it and ripped it off my shirt. While he stood there laughing unbeknownst to him my older brother walked up behind him and grabbed his shirt at both shoulders and ripped his shirt off his back. 

My brother said a few words to him but it wasn’t a word-battle because the bully was speechless.

My older brother always had my back and even though there were times we had word-battles I always will love him for the way he looked after me.

Have you ever experienced more trouble from your friends?

Blessings  

1 Samuel 17:25-27 David Saw Things From The Lord’s Perspective!

 ”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.”“ ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. The man who kills him, the king will enrich: The situation had become so desperate that Saul needed to offer a three-part bribe including a cash award, a princess, and a tax exemption – to induce someone, anyone to fight and win against Goliath.

b. Who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel…. who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? Other soldiers focused on the danger of the battle or the material rewards to be won. It seems that David alone focused on the reputation of Israel and the honor of the living God.

i. This truly shows David to be a man after God’s own heart. He cares about the things God cares about. He saw the problem in spiritual terms, not in material or fleshly terms.

· When the men of Israel said, “This man,” David said, “This uncircumcised Philistine.”

· When the men of Israel said, “Surely he has come up to defy Israel,” David said, “That he should defy the armies of the living God.

· When the men of Israel said, “The man who kills him,” David said, “The man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel.”

· David saw things from the LORD’s perspective, but the men of Israel saw things only from man’s perspective. (Guzik)

David Saw Things From The Lord’s Perspective!

We are approaching my favorite moment in the Bible, not because of a battle or death but because the Lord used David mightily! David was a man after the Lord’s own heart and all his life experiences have prepared him for this moment in time.

The same is true about us, all our life experiences, failures and struggles build strength and character that the Lord can use you for His kingdom. 

Are you seeing things from the Lord’s perspective?

Blessings 

1 Samuel 17:22-24 Dreadfully Afraid

 ”And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. 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.“ ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Dreadfully afraid: All of the Israelite army was dreadfully afraid. There was not one man among them who would take on Goliath. Every one of them fled from him when Goliath came out. (Guzik)

Dreadfully Afraid

One night while leaving a restaurant I noticed a man outside surveying customers as they walked out the doors. As we came outside he started following us to the car. I tried to look him in the eye but he looked away and kept following us. I lifted my jacket and unsnapped a holster and he ran away. I unlocked our car with the key and opened the door for my wife and closed the door and she locked it immediately. When I got in the car she expressed her fear, (she was dreadfully afraid) but I told her I wasn’t and what I did to avoid a confrontation-robbery.

I am reminded of several verses:

”And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.“ Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

”In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

What will David say and do after hearing Goliath blaspheming the one true God of Israel?

Have you ever been in a situation that you were dreadfully afraid?

Blessings

1 Samuel 17:16-21 Slinked Away in Shame

 ”And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening. 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.“ I Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭16‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days: Day after day, Goliath taunted and mocked the armies of Israel, exposing them all (and especially Saul) as cowards.

b. Left the sheep with a keeper: This little observation shows the shepherd’s heart of David. If he left the sheep to run an errand for his father he made sure the sheep were still well cared for.

c. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle: This must have been the approximate scene for forty days. The armies gathered on each hillside, screaming and shouting at each other across the valley. Goliath made his parade and shouted his insults, and after a while the Israelites slinked away in shame.

Slinked Away in Shame

The people of the world believe Christian’s are hypocrites, because they diligently watch us and can’t wait for us to fall into sin and when we do, they ridicule us so we act like “the Israelites and slinked away in shame”.

The truth is we are all sinners, but as a Christian we are supposed to sin less because we can never achieve a sinless state until we meet Jesus face to face.

I’m reminded what Paul said:

”So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭BSB‬‬

Don’t slink away in shame, instead repent and ask for forgiveness! 

Because every day is new in Jesus Christ!

Blessings