Unlikely Hero
Notes
Transcript
Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”
Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.”
David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”
When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.
Pray that the word of the Lord will come alive to those who listen
This passage of scripture is quite familiar to us. As I mentioned on Tuesday night in our prayer service its a Sunday School lesson that weaves deep truth in our hearts.
A boy and a giant is how this has been told but it is much more than that being told here in this story.
We have two unlikely people meeting up let alone facing each other in battle.
David and Goliath
Let’s compare the two:
Goliath
Goliath
Intimidating in size
6 cubits and a span in height (1 Sam. 17:4) which works out to be 9’6” or 9’9”
avg. height of a man at that time was 5’ tall
an experienced soldier and warrior
Voice - a bellow that would shake your soul
roared loud enough to be heard on both sides of a football field
Armor - bronze tunic with fish like scales which reached to his knees and weighed more than 100 lbs the tunic that is.
Shin guards - bronze covers for his legs which attached with bronze plates that covered his feet.
Helmet - heavy metal
Weapons:
Javelin - made of bronze which could penetrate a shield or armor
Sword - which was on his hip
Spear - which he carried in his hand for short range fighting. IT had a metal shaft as thick as a weaver’s beam
David
David
youngest of Jesse’s 8 sons
he was anointed by the prophet Samuel as the next king of Israel but his time of rule was not yet clear
lived at home with his family
his three older brothers were soldier’s in Saul’s army
was a shepherd boy
defended his sheep from bears and lions this was his only exposure to fighting
The Cause
The Cause
Goliath came to the middle of the plain every morning and evening bellowing threats with his loud and thunderous voice twice daily for 6 weeks.
remember he had a voice so loud that it would shake your soul
Goliath demanded that someone would face him in single combat
He taunted the camp daily and the soldier’s of Saul’s army (God’s chosen people the Israelite’s) were growing deeper in fear each day because no one among them was willing to accept Goliath’s challenge
It was a frightening place to be in.
King Saul did not step up to the challenge - he was fearful - perhaps it was because he knew he was not in the place with God that he needed to be in. (1 Sam. 17:11) - scripture says that the King and the soldier’s were terrified.
Goliath’s Challenge
Goliath’s Challenge
one on one combat
Challenged a person from Saul’s army to take him on in one on one combat
The looser’s nation would be enslaved and brutalized.
There would be certain death or at least slavery - this was Israel’s choice here
David’s Dilemma
David’s Dilemma
David’s father, Jesse sent his young son to bring food and supplies to his three brothers and commander (to stay in the good books)
David arranged for someone to watch over his sheep while he was away - Responsible
David went to deliver the food and supplies to his brothers as his father had asked - obedient
while David visited with his brothers Goliath came and made his challenge known by bellowing at the camp
David was overtaken by this and his response was not fear his response was that he was appaled that no one was taking on the giant, not even the king.
Why would no one take the stand?
Why would no one rise to defend Israel?
Where was their leader?
We know that King Saul was not where he needed to be with God and that was why he was trembling with fear instead of taking the fight
Saul’s relationship was not where it should be he was operating in the flesh
We cannot fight for God if we do not have a relationship with God or if we don’t know where we stand with Him
DO NOT STEP OUTSIDE YOUR PLACE IN GOD!!! BE CERTAIN OF WHERE YOU STAND WITH HIM
David asked more about this situation and was told that the one who defeats the Giant would be given money, the king’s daughter in marriage and his family would not have to pay taxes - these were all attractive motives
David volunteered I don’t believe it was because of the reward I believe it was because he felt he had to stand for God and God’s people.
Eliab’s Anger
Eliab’s Anger
David’s brother was furious when he heard that David volunteered to fight the giant
Who did he think he was?
He’s no soldier, he’s a shepherd boy running an errand for his father
He was too young
Too inexperienced
Didn’t he know his place?
This is a reminder here that we should never miss out on opportunities of leadership because of fear, opposition or jealousy.
It is also a lesson for us that if we as mature Christians don’t take our stand God WILL raise up another leader, another person to be used for His glory.
When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
Eliab accused David of pride and wrong motives.
This was David’s response:
And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?”
I believe he is saying here don’t we have a reason to fight?
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
“When a man or a woman decides to be a champion for God, they set themselves up for a lot of heat and criticism. But like David we can stand firm in our convictions when we are following the Lord and His calling” - David Jeremiah, p.8
King Saul’s Response
King Saul’s Response
Although David declared that he would fight Goliath it caused a great stir, there was unbelief, laughter and even anger.
Soldier’s felt that they were surely going to die if David was going up against the Giant, it would mean the end for them.
King Saul summoned David.
The King tried to talk David out of it.
He reminded David of
a) his youth
b) his inexperience
c) that Goliath was a warrior from his youth
David was determined He knew the power of the Lord. His courage was a product of his faith in God.
Saul offered David his armor but David tried it on and could not walk in it and decided if he could not walk he could not fight.
David remained strong in his faith and his decision to fight.
He knew his power and strength was in the Lord
His courage - product of his faith in God
David knew he was powerless but with God he COULD overcome the fiercest man alive.
The Fight
The Fight
David went to battle without any armor
On his way to battle he collected 5 smooth stones - some may ask the question why 5 stones when he only needed one? Was it a lack of faith? Was it over preparedness?
There’s nothing for sure here only assumptions:
Could have been because Goliath had 4 brothers - therefore the other four stones were for them in case they planned to come after him for killing their brother.
God told David that he would defeat Goliath but He didn’t say it would happen with only one shot therefore the responsible person he was he had a backup plan in case he missed. David was not doubting God he was being prepared.
Also he prepared in case the Philistines attacked him after he killed Goliath.
The opponents:
Goliath:
Physical Size
Sight caused fear
Shout - loud bellow
David:
Conviction
Courage
Confidence
Let’s talk for a minute about the power of the sling:
in Bible times there were three different kinds of fighters:
Calvary - armed men on horseback or chariots
Infantry - foot soldiers who carried swords or shields
Projectile warriors (artillery) - known as slingers who had a leather pouch attached on two sides by a long strand of rope. There was a rock or lead ball in a pouch. They would proceed to swing the sling around wider and faster then release one end of the rope hurling the rock forward.
The Sling took extra skill and practice in experienced hands it was a deadly & devastating weapon.
In the book of Judges slingers are described as accurate within a “hair’s breath”.
Slingers could injure someone two hundred yards away/
when Goliath saw David approaching him with a sling he was offended and upset.
Goliath was outraged that David would come towards him and make him feel like a dog coming toward him with sticks and stones.
He insulted David and I believe David was ok with being insulted but David drew the line when Goliath insulted the living God and called him fake. David would not stand for that at all.
Goliath had built a standard of fear by coming twice a day for 6 weeks but David was not fearful of Goliath. Goliath was waiting to battle a brave person but all he saw were terrified soldiers.
Then came this boy, no armor, no shield, no sword - Goliath felt like he was being mocked and this angered him greatly.
David’s shot:
David ran towards the giant.
This is a point I need to get across. Despite all the fear in the camp, despite te fat that he was a novice, despite the lack of faith those in his life had in David he ran towards this Giant who was infuriated with anger towards him.
Ask yourself this question - Do we run towards the giants in our life because we have God on our side? Or do we retreat with fear?
Do we trust God that much that we run towards our giants?
Here’s the scene an enormous armed man walking towards an unarmed boy. What’s amazing is the boy picks up his pace and begins to run towards the gigantic warrior!
The giant wasn’t going away and David was determined to face him.
Have we become so complacent with things that threaten us that we avoid them and hope they will disappear?
Or do we run towards them with stron faith knowing that God will slay our problems, our giants.
David went to the point where the sling’s range was most effective and then stopped and took out his sling and put the stone in it.
With years of experience and practice slung it and struck the Philistine right in his forehead and Goliath fell on his face to the earth (v. 49)
That stone travelled 34 meters per second (76 miles per hour) enough to render him unconscious or dead.
David ran over and made good on his promise - took Goliath’s own sword and cut off his head with it.
I am sure you could hear the gasps of awe filling the place after these series of events. Did we just see that? You can almost hear them saying it!
Conclusion:
David became the unlikely hero here but God was the victor and He is our victor today.
There are some important lessons to take away from this:
Refuse to be discouraged by your friends.
we cannot always count on those we look up to for support. People will let us down but God is our constant. Sadly, those we hope that will support our big dreams or vision may mock us or undermine us instead of standing behind or supporting us.
We offten jeer, ridicule and sneer rather than applaud, pray and encourage
God will give us wild ideas and dreams that won’t make sense, that will make you stand out and feel uncomfortable but it is totatlly worth seeing it through!
The most unlikely people make powerful impacts for God!
Don’t blow off the unlikely!
Thoms Edison’s teachers told him that he was too dumb to learn things and he was fired from his first two jobs
Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor and was told he lacked imagination
Colonal Saunders was told “no” 1,009 times by restaurant owners before he found one who would try his “now famous” fried chicken recipe.
Sometimes the biggest obstacles we face are the people around us.
2. Reinforce your focus on God
We need to get our eyes off of the “giants” in our lives and onto the God who is over our lives like David did.
David made two observations about Goliath:
to Saul in v. 36
to Goliath in v. 46
Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.
Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!
There were no inquiries about his appearance, age or skill level, social status or IQ. He gives no thought to Goliath really.
But he gives much thought to God.
David references the Lord’s strength 9 times that is a ratio of 9:2 God thoughts to Goliath thoughts.
How would you fare?
How have you been facing your worries, fears or how are you around the giants in your life?
“It’s alright to talk about your problems. But sometimes you need to talk to your problems about God” - David Jeremiah p. 15
Put your problems into perspective and :
3. Reflect on your previous victories
Saul could have refused to allow David to fight. There was a lot at stake here. In order to convince him David recalled his past victories not to brag but to establish truth. v. 34-37
David didn’t come shouting “I can do it” making his plea for how competent he is for the job. Instead he noted how God had been by his side in the past, so he could trust God to continue so in the present.
David found courage in the Lord
There were past victories that gave him confidence in the power of God to win ANY challenge.
“If you never had a test, you can never have a testimony”
Looking at past successes support your strength and faith, fuels you for the future.
Illustration of James Earl Jones from the book Overcomer by Dr. David Jeremiah:
When Jim Jones was five years old, he was shuttled from his family home in Mississippi to northern Michigan to live with his grandparents. The trauma of the move caused him to stutter. Hating school because other kids snickered when he spoke, he learned to speak as little as possible, consoling himself by writing poetry. When Jim was a teenager, a new teacher came to the school—Donald Crouch, a devout Mennonite retired professor who loved poetry. Crouch found out Jim also loved poetry and wrote it.
He urged the boy to read it aloud. Jim just shook his head and turned away. But in class one morning, Crouch tricked him. The boy had turned in a poem he’d written, and the teacher said, “I don’t think you wrote this.” When Jim, stuttering, insisted he had, Crouch forced him to prove it by reading it to the class. With his knees shaking while the other kids smirked and whispered, Jim began to read. He found, as many who stutter have discovered, that the rhythms of poetry en- abled his words to flow naturally. That day, Jim did not stutter.
He continued to practice reading poetry and learned he had an excellent, resonant voice. After he graduated, he got his college degree, served in the army, and returned to study drama on the GI Bill. Today we know Jim as James Earl Jones, a superb actor famous for his acting talent and for his sonorous, inimitable voice. Who can forget him as Darth Vader’s voice in the original Star Wars films?
But again, that’s not the end of the story. Years later, at the pinnacle of his ca- reer, Jones was asked to record the New Testament. He remembered Donald Crouch—the man who had given him victory over his disability all those years ago—and dedicated the reading to him. As Jones put it, Crouch “not only helped to guide me to the author of the Scrip- tures, but as the father of my resurrected voice, also helped me find abundant life.”¹⁰
Write down God’s blessings in a Jounal that way you can reflect on what God has done in the past to preprae yourself to believe Him in the future! This way you can run towards your problems and not away from them.
Run toward Problems
Embrance Problems
Confront Problems
The Israelites were confronted morning and night with the challenge from Goliath.
Fear was mounting and there were no anwers
David rose to the challenge despite trying to be persuaded not to.
He knew what he had to do and ran toward the giant with confidence in God and OVERCAME!!!!
Remember for whom you are fighting
You need to know for whom you are fighting in every situation and keep tht in the forefront of your mind and don’t loose your focus on that.
Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
As Christians -followers of Christ - we are to walk in victory, strength, pece and love.
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.