1 SAMUEL 17
Lesson #17
A GIANT PROBLEM OR A GIANT POSSIBILITY
- Memory Verse: 1Sam 17:47
- The specific site of this event has not been identified.
- Who was Goliath?
- He was possibly a descendant of the giant sons of Anak (Jos 11:22 Deu 9:2)
- He was uncircumcised (26) which tells us that he was not a partaker of God covenant. Therefore, he was a non-believer.
- The name, Goliath, means = exile.
- What are some characteristics of giants we must remember?
- Giants are big in relation to man but small in relation to God. (4)
- Giants have a reputation for destruction. (4)
- Giants make a loud noise to cause fear. (8)
- Giants seek to cause bondage. (9)
- Giants create a challenge.
- Giants enable ones faith to be put into practice.
- According to Num 4, giants were 6 cubits and a span = 99″ or 106″.
- Number 6 is the symbolic number of man.
- Therefore, this giant is a man-made problem!
- Goliaths armor and weapons:
- Goliaths armor weighted 5000 shekels = 125 lbs. (5)
- The spear head weighed 600 shekels of iron = 17 lbs. (7)
- This weight is considerably more than a shot-put.
- Saul and the Israelites were dismayed and greatly afraid. (11)
- The word, dismayed, means = to be broken down through confusion and fear.
- The words, greatly afraid, means = having awe or reverence and in this context it is negative, for he believed a negative report and had reverence for Satans forces.
- The 40 days:
- The number 40 is the number of testing.
- Therefore, this Israels giant test.
- Sauls problem was Davids possibility.
- What was Davids approach to the giant problem?
- He evaluated the battle (26)
- He recognized the covenant relationship he had with the Lord. (26)
- He did not believe a negative report (28, 30)
- He made a positive confession of faith. (32)
- He bolstered his faith by recalling what God has done in the past. (34-36)
- He recognized the source of his faith was God. (37)
- He did not go into battle based on someone elses faith, but he used the proper weapons. (39-40)
- He recognized that it is the Lords battle. (47)
- He put his faith in action. (48)
- Davids possibilities:
- What are the proper weapons for a giant problem?
- A shepherds staff = it signifies the power and authority of the believer.
- 5 smooth stones = they signify a life filled with prayer and memorized scriptures.
- The number 5 is a symbolic number in the Bible for “grace”.
- Remember that in the Bible, a rock or stone, is a prefigure of Jesus Christ.
- These stone came from the brook where water is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
- The shepherds bag = it represents ones own heart filled with the Word of God.
- The sling = it represents Christ, our Avenger.
- Davids oral confession of faith. (45-47)
- Read Eph 6:11-18
- Notice the purpose for the confrontation (45-47)
- The end of the giant problem:
- Notice that the giant was killed with his own sword.
- Evil brings destruction on itself when faith in God is put into practice.
- Lessons for giant battles:
- Facing giants is an intimidating experience.
- Doing battle is a lonely experience.
- Trusting God is a stabilizing experience.
- Winning victories is a memorable experience.
- Reasons for warfare (for the believer in Christ):
- To gain spiritual freedom (9)
- To demonstrate to unbelievers that there is a God (46)
- That believers will be encouraged to trust God. (47)
- Application:
- This battle with the giant, is a type or prefigure of the Christians spiritual battles.
- Discussion:
- What are some qualities of conquering faith?
- Conquering faith always recalls past victories. (34-36)
- Conquering faith is reassured by proper motivation.
- Conquering faith always rejects the discouragement of others.(28-29, 34)
- Conquering faith always sees trust in God for Gods glory. (47)
- Conquering faith always reckons the battle complete before the battle begins. (46-47)
What are some principles for spiritual warfare that we can gain from Davids experience?
HOMEWORK
1SAMUEL 18
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.
- Application of 1Sam 17
- List your current toughest spiritual giant battles.
- Based on what you have learned from 1Sam 17, write a new strategy for each those you listed.
- Preparation for 1Sam 18
- Read 1Sam 17:55-58
- Read 1Sam 18:1-9
- Analyze the personal relationships represented here.
- How is Jonathan an illustration of the Holy Spirit?
- What do you learn in this passage about jealousy?
- Find some scriptures dealing with envy:
- Memory Verse: Proverbs 23:17