The story of David and Goliath is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. Whether you are a Christian or not, you’ve likely heard the story. We find this story in 1 Samuel 17 and it recounts the extraordinary journey of a young shepherd boy who fearlessly confronts a formidable giant, defying all odds to emerge victorious. But this story is much more than just an underdog story; it teaches us how we can do incredible things by trusting in God.
While many know this incredible story, we often forget the significance and how it applies to our lives. In this article, we are going to take a fresh look at this story and discover 5 powerful lessons from David and Goliath.
The Story Of David And Goliath
As 1 Samuel 17 begins we find the nation of Israel at war with the Philistines. The two nations gathered on opposite sides of a valley and prepared to fight. But the Philistines had a secret weapon: Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:4-7, we see this fearsome giant described as a mighty warrior.
Every day the 9-foot tall Goliath would go out on the battlefield and mock the Israelites and their God. He would call them to fight, but King Saul and all the Israelites were terrified and did nothing. This continued on for forty days.
In 1 Samuel 17:12, we are introduced to David. In the chapter prior David was anointed king, but currently he was still a humble shepherd boy who tended his father’s sheep while his brothers were off fighting. But what he lacked in military training he made up for with exceptional courage and unwavering faith in God.
One day David was sent to the frontlines by his dad to bring supplies and report on the battle. As David approached the frontline he witnessed Goliath taunting the Israelite army and mocking his God. He wasn’t having it, so he marched straight to King Saul and persuaded him to let him fight Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:20-37)
David refuses Saul’s armor and all the traditional weaponry and instead chooses to fight Goliath with only a slingshot and five stones. As David marches confidently on the battlefield, Goliath can’t believe it. The stark physical differences are hard to ignore; Goliath towers over this young shepherd boy. (1 Samuel 17:38-44)
Goliath mocks David, but David is unshaken. He loads one stone and skillfully hurls it toward Goliath. The stone collides with Goliath’s forehead, bringing the giant crashing to the ground. David then picked up Goliath’s sword and cut off his head.
This miraculous victory showcases David’s unwavering faith and God’s incredible provision. The nation of Israel won the battle all because the unsuspecting shepherd boy was willing to trust God and go where he led.
5 Lessons From David And Goliath
Now that we know the story of David and Goliath, I want to look at what it teaches us about our lives and faith. Here are 5 lessons from David and Goliath:
1. Outward Appearance Isn’t What Is Important
The entire Israelite army was hiding in terror at the outward appearance of Goliath. They were terrified by what they saw, and in doing so neglected their trust in God. On the other hand, David was not swayed by Goliath’s outward appearance. Instead, he looked not at what was seen but what was unseen.
Similarly in our lives when we are facing a giant, we will be tempted to look only at the challenge in front of us. But instead, we should be like David; rather than focusing on the giant blocking our way, look to the one who is bigger than the giant.
The story of David and Goliath teaches us that when we follow God outward appearance isn’t what matters.
For more check out: The Meaning Of 1 Samuel 16:7 (God Looks At The Heart)
2. God Is Bigger Than What You Are Facing
This story emphasizes that David faced the giant Goliath not with his own strength but with the power of God. David believed that while Goliath was strong, God was stronger. David faced Goliath with confidence because he believed that God was with him.
The lesson from this story is that we can confront our challenges with confidence because God is with us. While the storms we face are big, God is bigger. Therefore we should shift our focus from the enormity of our problems to the greatness of God, trusting that His power is more significant than anything we may be facing.
3. Don’t Listen To Naysayers
In this story, we see King Saul, David’s brothers, and the rest of the army doubt David’s ability to take down Goliath. And really this isn’t anything new for David; all throughout his life he was surrounded by naysayers who doubted him. But David didn’t listen and instead chose faith over fear. He knew God’s power, and he stepped up to the challenge.
The reality is we will all face those who not only doubt us but doubt God’s ability in our lives. When that happens we should trust God and listen to what he says is best. The lesson from this story is to trust in our God-given calling, even if others question it.
4. Be Bold
David’s decision to confront Goliath was an act of unwavering faith and boldness. It’s reasonable to assume that David had some fear, we all would. But he didn’t let that fear dictate his actions. This story teaches that being bold doesn’t mean the absence of fear but rather acting courageously in the face of fear.
David’s boldness was rooted in his faith in God’s strength which allowed him to be bold. We too can be bold when we look to God for our strength. This story teaches us that boldness, when grounded in faith, can lead to remarkable outcomes.
5. Never Underestimate What God Can Do Through You
As a pastor, I often see Christians doubt that God can use them. It’s tempting to think that there’s someone better, more qualified, than us. But the story of David and Goliath challenges this belief.
David, a young shepherd, was an unlikely candidate to face Goliath. He certainly wasn’t qualified, but God still used him to do something incredible. This teaches that God is in the business of using ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
God can, and will, use you to do incredible things if you let him. God can work through individuals, regardless of their perceived limitations or societal expectations. So, step boldly into the story that God has for you. Don’t underestimate what God can use you for.
Now check out: The Story of Samson In The Bible (as you’ve never seen)
BA in Biblical Studies - Ozark Christian College (2012)
MA in Theology - Regent University (2019)
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