Now the Philistine came closer and closer to David, with his shield-bearer before him. Now the PhilistineThe term "Philistine" refers to a member of an ancient people who were adversaries of Israel. Historically, the Philistines were known for their advanced weaponry and military prowess, often posing a significant threat to the Israelites. The Philistines inhabited the coastal region of Canaan, and their interactions with Israel are well-documented throughout the Old Testament. In this context, the Philistine in question is Goliath, a giant warrior whose challenge to Israel sets the stage for a pivotal moment in biblical history. came closer and closer
This phrase indicates the advancing movement of Goliath towards David. The Hebrew root for "came closer" suggests an intentional approach, highlighting the impending confrontation. This movement is not just physical but also symbolic of the encroaching threat of evil and opposition against God's chosen people. The repetition emphasizes the tension and the inevitability of the encounter, drawing the reader into the drama of the narrative. to David
David, the youngest son of Jesse, is introduced earlier in the narrative as a shepherd boy anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. His presence in this battle is unexpected, as he is not a trained soldier but a young man of faith and courage. David's name, meaning "beloved," reflects his status as a man after God's own heart. This moment marks the beginning of his rise to prominence, showcasing his reliance on God rather than conventional weaponry or armor. with his shield-bearer before him
The shield-bearer was an essential part of ancient warfare, tasked with carrying and maneuvering the shield to protect the warrior. This detail underscores Goliath's formidable nature, as he is not only a giant but also accompanied by an assistant to enhance his defense. The presence of the shield-bearer highlights the contrast between Goliath's reliance on human strength and David's trust in divine power. In the broader biblical narrative, this serves as a reminder that true protection and victory come from God, not from human might or strategy. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Philistine (Goliath)A giant warrior from Gath, representing the Philistine army. Known for his immense size and strength, Goliath is a formidable opponent who challenges the Israelites. 2. DavidA young shepherd boy, anointed by God to be the future king of Israel. He is known for his faith and courage, trusting in God rather than physical might. 3. Shield-bearerAn assistant to Goliath, responsible for carrying and managing the shield, providing additional protection for the giant. 4. The Valley of ElahThe battlefield where the confrontation between David and Goliath takes place, symbolizing the spiritual and physical battlegrounds we face in life. 5. The Philistine ArmyRepresents the enemies of Israel, often seen as a symbol of the spiritual forces that oppose God's people. Teaching Points Faith Over FearDavid's approach to Goliath teaches us to trust in God's power rather than our own abilities or the intimidating circumstances we face. Spiritual PreparationJust as David was spiritually prepared through his relationship with God, we must be spiritually equipped to face life's challenges. God's SovereigntyThe account underscores God's control over all situations, reminding us that He can use the unlikely and the humble to achieve His purposes. Courage in ActionDavid's courage was not passive; it was demonstrated through action. We are called to act on our faith, stepping out in confidence in God's promises. The Power of God's AnointingDavid was anointed by God, which empowered him to face Goliath. Believers today are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome spiritual battles. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's faith in God contrast with the fear exhibited by the Israelite army, and how can this inspire us in our own spiritual battles? 2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves spiritually to face the "giants" in our lives, drawing from David's example? 3. How does the presence of Goliath's shield-bearer highlight the difference between relying on human strength versus divine strength? 4. Reflect on a time when you faced a daunting challenge. How did your faith influence the outcome, and what can you learn from David's account to apply in future situations? 5. How does the account of David and Goliath encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when the odds seem stacked against us? Consider other biblical examples of God's deliverance. Connections to Other Scriptures Ephesians 6:10-18This passage discusses the armor of God, drawing a parallel to the spiritual battle David faced. Just as David relied on God's strength, believers are called to put on spiritual armor. Psalm 23Written by David, this psalm reflects his trust in God as his shepherd, a trust that is evident in his confrontation with Goliath. Hebrews 11:32-34David is mentioned among the heroes of faith, highlighting his reliance on God to achieve victory against overwhelming odds. People Abinadab, Abner, David, Elah, Eliab, Ephah, Goliath, Israelites, Jesse, Saul, ShammahPlaces Azekah, Bethlehem, Ekron, Ephes-dammim, Gath, Jerusalem, Shaaraim, Socoh, Valley of ElahTopics Advanced, Approached, Bare, Bearer, Bearing, Body-cover, Bore, Buckler, Closer, David, Drawing, Drew, Front, Kept, Nearer, Philistine, Shield, Shield-bearerDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 17:20-51 5658 boys 1 Samuel 17:32-47 8024 faith, and blessings 1 Samuel 17:32-54 5086 David, rise of 1 Samuel 17:34-50 8202 boldness 1 Samuel 17:34-51 5088 David, character 1 Samuel 17:38-50 4366 stones
5597 victory, act of God 1 Samuel 17:41-42 5669 children, examples 1 Samuel 17:41-44 4514 stick
5550 speech, negative
5575 talk, idle
5956 strength, human
8816 ridicule, nature of Library The victory of Unarmed Faith
'And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 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. 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; 35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureApril the Thirtieth the Test of victory
"David behaveth himself wisely." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 55--xviii. 5. The hour of victory is a more severe moral test than the hour of defeat. Many a man can brave the perils of adversity who succumbs to the seductions of prosperity. He can stand the cold better than the heat! He is enriched by failure, but "spoilt by success." To test the real quality of a man, let us regard him just when he has slain Goliath! "David behaved himself wisely"! He was not "eaten up with pride." He developed no "side." …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year April the Twenty-Ninth the Mood of Triumph
"I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 38-54. The man who comes up to his foes with this assurance will fight and win. Reasonable confidence is one of the most important weapons in the warrior's armoury. Fear is always wasteful. The man who calmly expects to win has already begun to conquer. Our mood has so much to do with our might. And therefore does the Word of God counsel us to attend to our dispositions, lest, having carefully collected our material implements, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year The Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII How David Prevailed.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine!"--1 SAMUEL xvii. 50. Yes, he did, but he would not have done so if he had remained as quiet as the other Israelites. David was one of those who could not be easy so long as the enemies of his country were in the ascendant. To see a Philistine strutting about, defying the armies of the living God, was more than he could bear. Is not this the spirit which should animate Christians to-day? It is not one GOLIATH merely, there are many. DRUNKENNESS, PROFANITY, …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, was born at Giffordgate, four miles from Haddington, Scotland, in 1505. He first made his appearance as a preacher in Edinburgh, where he thundered against popery, but was imprisoned and sent to the galleys in 1546. In 1547 Edward VI secured his release and made him a royal chaplain, when he acquired the friendship of Cranmer and other reformers. On the accession of Mary (1553) he took refuge on the Continent. In 1556 he accepted the charge of a church in Geneva, …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading …
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 17:41 NIV1 Samuel 17:41 NLT1 Samuel 17:41 ESV1 Samuel 17:41 NASB1 Samuel 17:41 KJV
1 Samuel 17:41 Commentaries
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