1st Samuel 17: For the Glory of God

What is the glory of God? It is the manifestation of any or all of his attributes. In other words, it is the displaying of God to the world. Thus, things which glorify God are things which show the characteristics of his being to the world.

Charles Caldwell Ryrie

This is the way we “fall short” of the glory of God: We exchange it for something of lesser value. All sin comes from not putting supreme value on the glory of God—this is the very essence of sin.

John Piper

God is that, nothing greater than which can be conceived.

Anselm of Canterbury

Unshakeable Faith: relying on God; the great rock of our salvation

Bible Passage: 1 Sa 17:17–37, 1 Sa 17:38–58

1. Ordinary Tasks, Divine Purposes

1 Sa 17:17–25

Maybe you could explore how Jesse's sending of David to the battlefront is symbolic of how God positions us for His purpose. David’s willingness and curiosity open the door to his destiny, illustrating that God uses our everyday duties to prepare us for greater tasks. This positions us to face our giants not by accident but with divine appointments in our journey.

2. Faith Over Fear

1 Sa 17:26–37

Perhaps you could examine David's unwavering faith and verbal declaration of God's past faithfulness, underscoring the importance of remembering God's provisions. By highlighting David's confidence, this point may encourage believers to trust God's past interventions as a foundation for future battles, fostering a bold faith that can face new challenges.

3. Divine Strength, Personal Trust

1 Sa 17:38–58

You could delve into the significance of David refusing conventional armor and choosing five smooth stones, suggesting reliance on God's strength over earthly means. This act of faith culminates in victory through God's power, symbolizing that we must embrace our God-given uniqueness to face life's giants not in imitation, but in authenticity and trust.

At work, you may feel tempted to compromise your values or get caught in office politics that don’t glorify God. Make a commitment to integrity by establishing clear boundaries regarding your behavior and decisions. Take time to pray for guidance before making choices that could affect your integrity, such as whether to engage in gossip or take credit for someone else’s work. Daily asking God for strength to be a light in the workplace not only helps you but also sets a powerful example for your coworkers.

Within the church, you may feel disengaged or uncertain about how to actively participate in glorifying God. Consider volunteering for a new ministry or offering your skills where there is a need, such as teaching a class or joining the worship team. Engaging in service can help you feel more connected to your church community and allow you to actively witness God’s work through your life. Pray for guidance in choosing where to serve, allowing God to lead you to the right opportunity.

In your home, you might struggle with maintaining a God-honoring atmosphere, especially during conflicts or stressful moments. To glorify God in these situations, create a 'family mission statement' that reflects your values and how you want to honor God together. Regularly discuss this mission during family meetings to realign your actions and attitudes. This practice encourages accountability and helps everyone remember to act in ways that reflect Christ’s love, particularly in resolving conflicts with grace and humility.

In an educational setting, you might encounter peer pressure that leads you to prioritize grades or popularity over your relationship with God. To glorify God in your studies, set specific goals that reflect both academic excellence and spiritual growth, such as hosting a Bible study group or volunteering for community service projects with classmates. This way, you not only strive for success but also share your faith in practical ways, demonstrating how your relationship with God influences every aspect of your life.

In public life, you may face challenges staying true to your faith in a society that often contradicts biblical values. When confronted with situations that challenge your beliefs—like discussions on controversial topics—commit to respond with love and respect. Equip yourself with Scripture and a prayerful mindset, so when these conversations arise, you can articulate your stance clearly and calmly. You might also consider sharing faith-based resources or articles with your social circles, fostering respectful dialogue and demonstrating that living for God is relevant and impactful in today's world.

1 Samuel 17:10 (LSB) Again the Philistine said, “I openly reproach the battle lines of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.” 1 Samuel 17:23 (LSB) As he was speaking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the battle lines of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them.

1 Samuel 17:24 (LSB) Now all the men of Israel saw the man, and they fled from him and were greatly afraid.

1st Samuel chapter 17

-1st Samuel 17

David the good and noble shepherd.

David “left the flock with a shepherd.” The inclusion of this subtle detail in the text highlights the fact that David was a “good shepherd”—a significant metaphorical image of a good leader (cf. John 10:1–21

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 192..:

The Lord orchestrates events according to the good council of his will. Nothing happens by chance

Nothing happens by chance. Just at that moment — David was led to see Goliath and hear his words of challenge. Behind all these matters God was certainly engineering David’s life according to his plan and purpose.

Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, p. 452.

David hears Goliath disdain the Lord of hosts

verb challenge (*ḥrp) is one of the key words in this chapter (also vv. 25, 26, 36, 45); the repeated use portrays the attitude of the adversary. It implies “not only defiance and provocation but also open contempt.” Hence, sometimes it is translated as “reproach

Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, p. 445.

David heard Goliath’s words, and perhaps for the first time in his life he heard the Lord being ridiculed. David also saw his fellow Israelites’ reactions to this desecration: “they all ran from him in great fear” (v. 24

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 192.

David by faith grasped Goliath’s challenge as directed toward the battle lines of the living God, hence toward God himself, for David was seeing the unseen God and his battle lines; see also v. 36

Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, pp. 454–55.

David’s zeal for the glory of Yahweh

David was deeply disturbed that a Philistine, who was uncircumcised and therefore outside of a covenant relationship with the Lord, would so boldly heap shame on (NIV, “defy”; v. 26) “the armies of the living God.” Goliath’s words were not just an insult directed against the Israelite army; they were also an assault on “the living God,”

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 192.

Eliab demonstrates a heart like Saul; petty, accusatory, and perhaps jealous

The author perhaps included it in the narrative to demonstrate the correctness of the Lord’s decision to reject Eliab as Israel’s next king (cf. 16:7). Like Eli and Saul, Eliab lacked the ability to make proper judgments about others—his “heart” was not right.

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 193.

David demonstrates bold faith before man

David’s words to the king express youthful idealism in its full flower. First he exhorted those around him—all of whom were older than he—to stop being disheartened (lit., “Let not the human heart fall”). Then he proposed an astonishing solution to Israel’s dilemma: he himself would “go and fight” Goliath

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 193.

We walk by faith and not by sight

The people judged the situation by what they saw with their eyes; hence they were very frightened (v. 24). Without faith we see only negatively when faced with difficulties; we forget our status as God’s people and lose confidence in God. But David saw and judged everything by faith

Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, p. 453.

Saul sees as man sees not as the lord sees

“You are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth” (v. 33). Saul’s reference to David’s adolescence suggests that David was under twenty years of age

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 193.

These details illustrate an actual real event

Saul offers freedom and privilege for whoever successfully meets the challenge of Goliath

His father’s house (bêt ’ābîw) refers to his extended family, smaller than a tribe or clan. It comprises “all the descendants of a single living ancestor (the head, rō’š-bêt-’āb) in a single lineage, excluding married daughters …, [but including] male and female slaves and their families, resident laborers, and sometimes resident Levites.” It is likely that a bêt-’āb could have comprised some 50–100 persons, residing in a cluster of dwelling units

Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, p. 454.

David emphasizes his real works works world combat experience

This time David dropped his sermonizing, choosing instead to emphasize his credentials and experience: literally, “[A] shepherd was your servant” (v. 34) who had already been victorious in two previous mortal combats, one with a lion and one with a bear. In each case David “went after” the marauding beast and “struck it.”

Proverbs 28:1 (LSB) The wicked flee when there is no one pursuing, But the righteous are secure as a lion.

David demonstrates his strong faith in the Lord who will deliver him from Goliath as he did from both the bear and the lion.

Ultimately, David reveals that it was the Lord that delivered David from the bear and the lion not by his own strength

40 days in the bible represent testing or trial and Israel has failed the test

This was a test of their faith; real faith is an acting faith it is a living faith. Faith without works is dead. real faith born out of assurance and conviction is daring and bold

the lord certainly orchestrated the events that unfolded by providentially guiding Jesse to direct David to the battle lines right at the end of the 40 days of testing. This allowed David to see the threat that loomed over Israel and simultaneously provided David the opportunity by king Saul to face Goliath in battle. At this time Saul was desperate enough to entertain David being Israel’s champion given that neither he himself nor any Israelite had the courage or faith to defend God before Goliath

In a word of blessing that was certainly also a prayer, Saul asked that “the Lord be with” David in his fight

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 194.

Saul also gave David the use of Israel’s finest offensive and defensive military gear, the king’s own.

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 194.

Ironically, Saul’s actions confirmed and foreshadowed the royal status God promised David: the Lord had clothed David with the Spirit that enabled kingship; now Saul clothed David with the symbols that exemplified kingship

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 194.

The writer’s inclusion of the clothing incident probably was meant to serve two functions: first, to preserve an unusual but interesting occurrence in the background of the Goliath event, indicating the greater value of divine enablement over human devices; second and more importantly, to symbolize David’s rejection of Saul’s approach to kingship. Saul chose to dress in royal clothing “such as all the other nations have”; David would wear none of it. Instead

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. - Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 194.

David weaponry for battle demonstrates his total dependency on the Lord

Accordingly, David armed himself as a shepherd would have, with a stick and a sling. He “took his staff in his hand” (v. 40)

Because the stones were intended for use “with his sling” in battle, they probably were about the size of typical ancient Near Eastern slingstones—as big as tennis balls.

David relied in God not weapons forged by human hands unlike Saul, Goliath, the Philistines and Goliath

Sling (qela‘) is a military weapon, common in the ancient Near East; Egyptian evidence goes back to the beginning of the second millennium b.c.

Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, p. 460.

According to Judg. 20:16 there were seven hundred left-handed Benjamite slingers, “each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.”

Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, p. 460.

David also proved he was aware of the greatest of his own military resources, “the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel” (cf. Ps 18:10–12).

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 195.

Goliath brings the curse of God on himself and his people

he “cursed David by his gods” (v. 43). The author’s use of the term “cursed” (Hb. qālal) here is theologically significant; readers knowledgeable of the Torah would know that by cursing this son of Abraham, Goliath was bringing down the Lord’s curse on himself (cf. Gen 12:3)

Furthermore, David expressed an awareness that Goliath had committed a capital crime by insulting, and thus blaspheming, the God of Israel. According to the Torah, any individual guilty of blasphemy—even a non-Israelite—must be stoned (Lev 24:16

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 195.

the lord glorifies himself through the defeat of the Philistines.

All the nations will give glory to God either in servitude to Gods will or in subjugation to Gods judgement

Yet the Philistines would not die in vain. In fact, their destruction would serve a high theological purpose; it would be a revelatory event by which “the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel” (cf. Josh 2:10–11)

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 196.

David’s unyielding trust in the Lord

As R. P. Gordon explains, there are “two factors which made the heroic possible, viz. David’s zeal for the reputation of Israel’s God —… (v. 46) — and his utter trust in God’s ability to preserve him against all odds.”

truth from the Lord, “that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s” (v. 47; cf. 2:9–10; 13:22; Jer 9:23–24; Zech 4:6)

Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996, p. 196.

Walk with God by Faith and not by sight

The phrase in the name of the Lord of Hosts expressed well David’s complete trust in his God, with “no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:3).

Goliath blasphemy brings the death penalty upon himself

According to Judg. 20:16 there were seven hundred left-handed Benjamite slingers, “each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.”

Tsumura, David. The First Book of Samuel. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, p. 460.

David faced a fate worse than death to the Israelite mind

Exposure of corpses to the birds of prey, that is, “eagles and vultures,” is a common motif of destruction and curse. Privation of burial was worse than death in Israel; see 31:8–13; 2 Samuel 21; Ps. 79:2–3; Isa. 34:2–3; 66:24; Jer. 7:33; 8:1–2

The purpose of God delivering his people is to glorify himself

The Lord’s delivery of Israel has two purposes: one is that the whole world (all the earth; see Ezek. 39:23) may know that there is a God for Israel, that is, that only Israel has the true God; the other is so that all the people of Israel may know that the Lord saves them by himself (v. 47).

“Be still, and know that I am God” says the Lord of Hosts, for he is the one who “will be exalted among the nations” (Ps. 46:10).

Warfare is ultimately under the sovereign control of God

the double use of the divine name Yahweh marks the climax of his speech and constitutes inclusio with its double use toward the beginning of his speech (vv. 45–46).

God’s way of salvation is different from the human method, not with a sword and a spear. God accomplishes his plan of salvation in his own way

The warfare in this world is first spiritual and then physical

this battle was fundamentally spiritual in nature; see Eph. 6:12. One should always be reminded that the Lord’s battle is to be fought in God’s way, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit” (Zech. 4:6

1st Corinthians 1:18 No man of Israel had faith in God, as all feared for their lives. Only David had the fear of God that led him to act in faith.