1 SAMUEL LESSON 19


     We will begin this lesson in I Samuel 17:27 "And the people
answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man
that killeth him."

     In the last lesson, David has just arrived at the place of the
battle, and is appalled that no one has stepped forward to answer the
challenge of this giant, Goliath. David knows, in his own heart, that
the LORD will be with the Israelite that comes against this heathen
giant. Saul has promised the hand of his daughter in marriage to the
man who kills Goliath. There are many other gifts to bestowed upon
that person, as well. Now, the people agree that anyone who kills
Goliath should receive all of these things.

     I Samuel 17:28  "And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake
unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he
said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those
few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of
thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the
battle."

     It appears, that David's older brother does not like David acting
so brave. It looks bad for him and the other two brothers. He is
accusing David of being puffed up with pride. In a sense, he is
saying, "kid, get back with the few sheep, where you belong". He
thinks David has sneaked away, and come down to see the battle.

     I Samuel 17:29 "And David said, What have I now done? [Is there]
not a cause?" I Samuel 17:30  "And he turned from him toward another,
and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again
after the former manner."

     This is a really good question. Perhaps, David's boldness makes
the other men ashamed, that they have not stepped up to accept the
challenge of Goliath. His brothers think of him as their little
brother. The challenge remains, and it seems David is the only one who
thinks someone should answer the challenge. The men repeat the rewards
for someone who kills Goliath.

     I Samuel 17:31 "And when the words were heard which David spake,
they rehearsed [them] before Saul: and he sent for him."

     Some of the men who heard David, told Saul what he said. Saul
sends for this one, who is so brave.

     I Samuel 17:32  "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail
because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

     David feels no fear of this Philistine, because the LORD is with
him. He tells Saul that he need not let his heart within him faint,
because of this problem with the giant. David calls himself, Saul's
servant and says, he will go and fight Goliath.
     I Samuel 17:33 "And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go
against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art but] a youth,
and he a man of war from his youth."

     Saul was looking at the physical strength of this youth, and not
at the Spirit within him. Saul had difficulty understanding things of
the Spirit. He tries to explain to David that he is too small, too
young, and too inexperienced to go against the giant.

     I Samuel 17:34 "And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his
father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out
of the flock:" I Samuel 17:35 "And I went out after him, and smote
him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against
me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him."

     The incidents with the bear and the lion were actually two
different instances. There were bears and lions in this area at the
time of David. In fact, they were feared greatly by the shepherds
tending their sheep. David is telling this to Saul to make him realize
that he has no fear of Goliath. He, also, is saying that Goliath would
be no worse foe, than the lion, or the bear, which he had killed
earlier.

     I Samuel 17:36 "Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and
this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath
defied the armies of the living God."

     The thing that angered David worse than anything else, was the
fact that this giant is actually coming against God, when he comes
against God's people. David truly believes that he can kill Goliath.

     I Samuel 17:37 "David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me
out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will
deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto
David, Go, and the LORD be with thee."

     David was very well aware that the strength he had to kill the
bear and the lion was not his own, but the strength of God within him.
He believes God will be with him, as he fights Goliath. David is so
confident, that it convinces Saul. Saul tells him to go ahead and do
it. Saul knows that when the LORD is with someone, he can do
miraculous things. Saul speaks the blessing on David, "the LORD be
with thee".

     I Samuel 17:38  "And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put
an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of
mail."  I Samuel 17:39 "And David girded his sword upon his armour,
and he assayed to go; for he had not proved [it]. And David said unto
Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved [them]. And David
put them off him."

     This armour was too heavy and cumbersome to move around in.  It
would be an honor for the king to give him his armour. David must
refuse because, he cannot freely move around in the king's armour.
     I Samuel 17:40 "And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him
five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag
which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling [was] in his hand: and he
drew near to the Philistine."

     The number "five" symbolizes grace. David was clothed in the same
clothes he wore to shepherd the sheep. He had a slingshot in his hand,
and stopped, and picked up the five smooth stones. Smooth stones would
be easier to fling in a straight line. David knew the LORD would
strengthen him, and he would be victorious.

     I Samuel 17:41 "And the Philistine came on and drew near unto
David; and the man that bare the shield [went] before him." I Samuel
17:42 "And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he
disdained him: for he was [but] a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair
countenance."

     It appears that, David walked out into the valley to meet the
Philistine. The giant did not realize at first, that this was just a
boy coming against him. Goliath and his armourbearer came to meet
David. When the giant got close enough to see David, he saw this red-
haired youth standing there to meet him. David did not have on armour,
so that made him look even smaller to Goliath. "Disdained", in this
particular instance, means scorned.

     I Samuel 17:43 "And the Philistine said unto David, [Am] I a dog,
that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by
his gods."

     The giant cursed David by the Philistine's false gods. The dog
was thought of poorly in this area of the world. The Israelites
called those, who were not Hebrews, dogs. It was a disgrace for the
giant, Goliath, to fight against this youth. Goliath felt it made him
appear small.

     I Samuel 17:44 "And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and
I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of
the field."

     It was really hard for Goliath to move around in all of this
heavy armour. He wants David to come to him. It is not unusual for
someone fighting to make bragging statements, like Goliath makes here.

     I Samuel 17:45 "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to
me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to
thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of
Israel, whom thou hast defied."

     Goliath had cursed David in the name of his false god. Now, David
expresses his own faith in the LORD. In a sense, David is saying, "My
God will defeat you Goliath". David has every confidence in the LORD.
David says, "you put your faith in your weapons, but I put my faith in
my God".

     I Samuel 17:46 "This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine
hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will
give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the
fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the
earth may know that there is a God in Israel."

     David is not fighting to receive glory for his own name. He has
dedicated this fight to the glory of the God of Israel. Now, David
tells Goliath what he will do to him in this battle. Notice, he says,
the LORD deliver thee into mine hand. After this battle, all will know
the LORD, He is God.

     I Samuel 17:47 "And all this assembly shall know that the LORD
saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and
he will give you into our hands."

     This statement was as much for these faint-hearted Israelites, as
it was for the Philistines. This would renew the faith of the
Israelites, as well as cause fear of the Israelite's God to flow
through the Philistines. David is assured, that the LORD will deliver
these Philistines into the hands of the Israelites.

     I Samuel 17:48 "And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose,
and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran
toward the army to meet the Philistine."

     David did not run from them, he ran toward them.

     I Samuel 17:49 "And David put his hand in his bag, and took
thence a stone, and slang [it], and smote the Philistine in his
forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his
face to the earth."

     The very first stone that David slung hit the mark. He found an
opening on the forehead, just above the eyes, and hit Goliath there.
The stone was thrown with such strength, that it sunk into Goliath's
head, and he fell forward on his face.

     I Samuel 17:50 "So David prevailed over the Philistine with a
sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but
[there was] no sword in the hand of David."

     We see that David easily defeated the Philistine. David did not
carry a sword with him to the battlefield.

     I Samuel 17:51 "Therefore David ran, and stood upon the
Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof,
and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines
saw their champion was dead, they fled."

     The nearest place to find a sword was on Goliath. David ran to
him, and stood on top of him, while he drew Goliath's sword. David had
promised to cut off the head of Goliath, and he did that very thing.
The Philistines turned and ran, when they saw Goliath, their champion,
was dead. They were afraid of David's God.

     I Samuel 17:52 "And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and
shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley,
and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell
down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron."
I Samuel 17:53 "And the children of Israel returned from chasing after
the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents."

     This brave act of David's caused the Israelites to believe they
could defeat the Philistines, and they chased them, and fought them.
The Israelites killed, and ran off the Philistines that did not die.
The Israelites spoiled the tents in the camp of the Philistines.

     I Samuel 17:54 "And David took the head of the Philistine, and
brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent."

     David kept the armour of Goliath as a trophy. He took the head
back to show the people of Jerusalem the power of their God. The
armour became the private property of David.

     I Samuel 17:55  "And when Saul saw David go forth against the
Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose
son [is] this youth? And Abner said, [As] thy soul liveth, O king, I
cannot tell."

     It appears that, Saul did not know who David's parents were, and
neither did Abner.

     I Samuel 17:56 "And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the
stripling [is]."

     Saul wants to get to know David better. He tells Abner to find
out for him, whose son David is?

     I Samuel 17:57 "And 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."

     David had brought the head of the Philistine giant with him. It
was not difficult to locate him, because of that. Abner takes David
for an audience with the king, so the king can ask David himself, who
his father is.

     I Samuel 17:58 And Saul said to him, Whose son [art] thou, [thou]
young man? And David answered, I [am] the son of thy servant Jesse the
Beth-lehemite.

     David tells him that his father is Jesse. He explains, also, that
Jesse lives in Bethlehem a few miles from Jerusalem. Saul wants to
keep up with this youth. He might need him again.



                        1 Samuel 19 Questions


1.  What was David appalled about at the battlefront?
2.  What had Saul offered to anyone who would kill Goliath?
3.  Whose anger was kindled against David, when they heard what he
    said?
4.  What sarcastic question did he ask David?
5.  In a sense, what is David's older brother saying to him?
6.  Who is the only one who even considered answering Goliath's
    challenge?
7.  What does David say to Saul?
8.  Why did Saul think David should not go against Goliath?
9.  What incidents does David tell, to make Saul realize he can kill
    Goliath?
10. Where had David's strength come from?
11. What does Saul tell David, after he heard about the lion and bear
    that David killed?
12. What did Saul give David, to try to help him in his battle against
    Goliath?
13. Why did David not take it?
14. What weapon did David carry?
15. How many stones did he pick up out of the brook?
16. What does the number "5" symbolize?
17. Where did David and Goliath meet to fight?
18. Who came out with Goliath?
19. What does "disdained" mean?
20. What did the Philistine say, when he saw David was a youth?
21. The giant cursed David by the Philistine's ______ _____.
22. Why did Goliath want David to come to him?
23. The Philistine had come against David with what instruments of
    war?
24. David came to the Philistine in the name of the ________ of
    ______.
25. In a sense, what is David saying to Goliath?
26. What has David dedicated this fight to?
27. Who was the statement, in verse 47, made for?
28. Exactly what did David do, when he ran at Goliath?
29. What happened to Goliath?
30. What did David use to cut off the head of the Philistine?
31. What happened to the rest of the Philistines?
32. What did David do with the head of Goliath?
33. What did David save for himself?