First Sunday in Lent (2025)

1 Samuel 17:40-51

The Sunday School Kids just last week learned about David and Goliath, and it is an amazing account of David defending and upholding not just before the Israelites but before even the Philistines who were a continual thorn in the side of God’s people. Now their champion, Goliath of Gath stands out on the field of battle ready to destroy and overthrow God’s people and claim them as His own.

The Challenge

Goliath was their champion.

Standing at over 9’ tall, he was a sight on the battlefield that was enough to intimidate most people. Putting him forward as a champion makes sense, if you saw a man like you would want a group of people to take him down, but in one on one combat, he would be difficult to overcome.

His arms and armor were impressive.

Quite the sight to behold, his coat was made out of bronze, and standing on the battlefield in bronze armor, with an iron spear head, making his challenge every morning and evening. The sun would light him up and make him look resplendent upon the field of battle, who would dare oppose him? Goliath did this for 40 days, standing every morning and evening to try the people of Israel and taunt them and their God. All it would take is

One man could save Israel.

If he could be found, who would be willing to stand before this giant but all were dismayed and feared him for they saw not only their own death, but the enslavement of their friends, their families, and their nation. Who could carry that burden? Their king?

Israel’s King

Israel wanted a King.

When they had talked to Samuel about it, it was because they wanted someone who would be their champion, who would lead them into battle, and who would make an impressive figure as they dealt with the nations. They had Saul, who had been anointed by Samuel to be their king even after God and Samuel had warned them, and today they saw the truth of their king.

Saul was afraid.

He had been charged with protecting the people, leading the into battle, and yet when this giant stood before and threatened all of mankind, Saul was cowering in fear. For though Saul looked like a king, His heart did not love or trust in the Lord. Israel had rejected the Lord as their King, and their ruler and instead put their trust in the world, and now their folly was being shown before their eyes. But God did not forget his people.

God had Samuel anoint David.

For Saul’s would not listen to the Word of God, and for that reason the Kingdom would be taken away from him, and God had raised up this son of Jesse to deliver Israel from their enemies. It was not because David was sinless, but because his heart was after the Lord. Now all of these things are what we call

Old Testament Types

The Old Testament points to Jesus.

Jesus tells the Pharisees this, and what that means is that what was happening in the Old Testament was pointing ahead to what Jesus would do for us. What we have here is the perfect picture that shows the redemption of mankind. The word

Christ means anointed one.

There were many that were anointed in the Old Testament, and they were anointed for various purposes, both David and Saul were anointed to be kings of Israel, and Christ himself was anointed to be the savior of mankind.

Consider the Gospel text.

The temptation of Jesus happens right after the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan, and he is lead out there to face the great deceiver of mankind who masquerades as an angel of light, Satan. This enemy of the children of God who boasts greatly of his ability and prowess, and how with his weapons overthrew the forefather of our race, Adam, who was without sin. So what chance do any of us have who have been corrupted by the failing of Adam? So we are dismayed, for who can stand up against him, who will fight for us, for our sins make us a slave to Satan and place us within his power, and his kingdom of darkness, death, and our final destination of hell?

But born in Bethlehem, anointed by the Spirit, comes forth David’s Son, who walks into the wilderness to fight this boastful spirit and he spends 40 days out there being tempted by Satan, and does not fall, but through His Love for God, and God’s Word, and His love for you, slays this giant. He does what no one else had been able to do, he cuts off the head of this serpent.

The Weakness of Mankind

How many times have people failed us?

By this they have sinned against us, promising to do one thing, saying they would do something, and then they fall short. The reasons might be different, they might have never intended to help us, they might have been afraid too, they might have overestimated their ability and not been up to the task, but they failed. The Israelites saw this clearly in Saul, who was supposed to be their champion, and we’ve seen it ourselves in parents, friends, neighbors, or leaders. But

What about us?

Aren’t we guilty of the same thing? When people depended upon us and we fail them, and see them suffer through our neglect, our inability, or because deceived them, it stings our hearts and our consciences because we know we ought to be better than that, for we know how much it hurts. If we know the hurt and the pain this causes others on what grounds, who amongst us hasn’t fallen short of our word. That’s what makes it so amazing. For

Jesus took on our flesh.

Just like God had promised, and promised that He was going to defeat the ancient foe that not a one of us had any hope against, and now the only Begotten Son of God, the Son of David, the seed promised to Abraham, and Adam and Eve walks out into the wilderness to oppose Satan? It’s because

Jesus, your Champion

Jesus is greater than David.

David was able to slay Goliath, but David would later fall, and not be able to overcome later temptations. He trusted in the Lord, and the Loved the Lord, but there was tragedy that came later on. While David could be the anointed champion of Israel on that Battlefield, he couldn’t overcome the enemy of all mankind. So

Jesus faced off against Satan.

He defeated Him and did what no other man could do, He won for us a place in God’s Kingdom. Israel brought the sword against the Philistines that day after he slew goliath, but Christ defeated Satan that He might show you mercy, love, and give to you peace. Jesus isn’t on that field seeking the destruction of mankind, but rather our salvation. Jesus came to set you free from the Kingdom of Satan, and your slavery to sin, because He is the Champion of mankind, not just Israel.

Jesus has left you the Sword.

Now this Sword is the Word which defeated Satan, and we would be wise to learn from Christ that when Satan comes to us with various temptations, that we do not think to stand against the devil on our own. We have a champion who has overcome the Devil, and everytime we go back to God’s Word, we point him back to this battlefield where Satan was defeated and Christ victorious. Satan has lost.

This sword isn’t just used to kill, but to sever the bonds of slavery to sin and Satan, and bring those dead in their trespasses to life. It’s a weird sword, but God has given it to us not only to save us, but guard us, and to point others to Jesus.

So my brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is an impressive and wonderful that God kept David safe as he stood against a giant that mocked the armies of Israel, but it pales in comparison to Jesus, the Son of David, who faced off against the spiritual giant Satan and has saved you. As the men that day rejoiced in the victory of David, may your hearts find joy in the victory of Jesus Christ who has opened the gates of heaven for you. In Jesus name. Amen.