David replied, "Your servant has been tending his father's sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 17:34? 2. How does David's past experiences prepare him for future challenges in 1 Samuel 17:34? 3. What does David's protection of sheep reveal about his character and faith? 4. How can we trust God in our own "lion and bear" situations? 5. What other biblical figures demonstrate courage similar to David's in 1 Samuel 17:34? 6. How can we apply David's reliance on God to our daily spiritual battles? 7. How does 1 Samuel 17:34 demonstrate David's faith and courage in God's protection? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Samuel 17:34? 9. How does David's experience as a shepherd in 1 Samuel 17:34 shape his leadership qualities? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 17? 11. Is the reference to enemies being like “lions” in Psalm 57:4 simply poetic imagery, or does it exaggerate any verifiable historical threat David faced? 12. What qualities define a good shepherd in scripture? 13. How do we reconcile the differences between 1 Chronicles 17 and 2 Samuel 7 regarding the details of God's covenant with David? 14. Matthew 18:12–14 – Does the parable of leaving ninety-nine sheep for one contradict practical shepherding and ancient Near Eastern practices? Discussion Questions 1. How does David’s experience as a shepherd prepare him for his encounter with Goliath, and what does this teach us about God’s preparation in our own lives?2. In what ways can we demonstrate faithfulness in the "small things" in our lives, and how might this prepare us for greater responsibilities? 3. Reflect on a time when you faced a "lion" or "bear" in your life. How did God deliver you, and how can this experience strengthen your faith in current challenges? 4. How does the imagery of a shepherd caring for his sheep deepen our understanding of God’s role as our Shepherd, as seen in Psalm 23 and John 10? 5. What practical steps can we take to cultivate courage and trust in God when facing daunting challenges, drawing from David’s example?1. How does David's confidence in facing Goliath demonstrate his faith in God? 2. What lessons can be drawn from Saul's initial reaction to David's willingness to fight Goliath? 3. Why does David reject Saul's armor? What might this signify spiritually? 4. David's brothers were skeptical of his abilities. Have you faced a similar situation in your life, and how did you handle it? 5. Why is David's choice of weapon significant? 6. Goliath underestimated David due to his youth and lack of armor. How does society today underestimate the abilities of certain groups, and how can this be addressed? 7. How does David's victory over Goliath encourage us in facing our own 'Goliaths'? 8. Why do you think God chose a shepherd boy to defeat a seasoned warrior? 9. How can David's faith and courage inspire us to confront our fears in our daily lives? 10. What role does humility play in this story, and how can we apply this lesson to our lives? 11. How can this narrative inspire us to maintain faith even in seemingly insurmountable challenges? 12. In what ways does David's triumph over Goliath serve as a metaphor for Christ's victory over sin? 13. Why do you think Saul asked about David's lineage after the battle? 14. Why did David take five stones when he only needed one to defeat Goliath? 15. How does David's speech to Goliath before the battle demonstrate his faith and courage? 16. How can the story of David and Goliath guide us in facing challenges in our current society? 17. How does God use unlikely individuals for His purpose according to this story? 18. In the modern world, who are some of the "Goliaths" that Christians face, and how can we apply David's approach to confront them? 19. How does David's victory over Goliath illustrate the biblical principle of spiritual warfare? 20. How can you cultivate a faith like David's in your personal life and relationships? Links 1 Samuel 17:34 NIV1 Samuel 17:34 NLT 1 Samuel 17:34 ESV 1 Samuel 17:34 NASB 1 Samuel 17:34 KJV 1 Samuel 17:34 Commentaries Bible Hub |



