1st Samuel 17: The Battle Belongs to
Jehovah
Attention
1. Is this familiar story merely for
children’s classes or an allegory for defeating our personal giants? No!
2. This famous story shows us how victories
are won by faith, and it has a powerful, practical application. 1-54
[Proposition] Only when we learn to honor and
fight in God’s name can we defeat the giants we face.
I.
David’s Victory Did Not Depend:
A.
On Finding the Right Opponent
1.
Why is the text so descriptive of Goliath? To magnify David’s victory
over so imposing a foe!
2.
Once again, the Israelites are afraid of a giant, but David is surprised
they let him defy God.
3.
David does not say, “Someone should…” but instead, “I will go and fight.”
What do we say?
B.
On What Others Thought or Said
1.
David was scorned by his brother, discouraged by his king, and publicly
cursed by his enemy.
2.
God’s servants often find enemies in their own homes. Mt. 10:34-38
(e.g. Job, Joseph, Jesus)
3.
Do we let others discourage us from taking action? Do we need pep-talks
to do the right thing?
C.
On His Personal Power or Skill
1.
David faced danger before; the challenge differed in degree, not in kind;
God owned the battle.
2.
God has consistently used the weak to do His work. 2Co. 12:9 (e.g.
Gideon’s army)
3.
Do you let personal inadequacy stop you from doing God’s work? God uses
the weak. 2Co. 3:5
D.
On Having the Right Tools or Technique
1.
Slings were potent weapons, but in this case, David was severely
outgunned.
2.
Saul wanted him to fight “the right way,” but God uses bones, pegs, and
slings as well as swords.
3.
You don’t need a magic method or technique to do God’s work; you need the
guts to go!
II.
What lesson are we supposed to learn from this story? (46-47)
A.
That there is a God in Israel, i.e. Jehovah is the TRUE GOD!
1.
This event testifies to the whole world that Jehovah, the God of Israel,
is the true God. 46
2.
It is a theological showdown; not merely David versus Goliath, it is
Dagon versus Yahweh.
3.
Both warriors bring the name of their god to battle, but like Dagon,
Goliath ends up on his face!
B.
That the battle belongs to Jehovah!
1.
This event testified to Israel that the battle belongs to Jehovah, not to
their military power. 47
2.
The Israelites needed to be reminded of the power of God; they were
fleeing in fear from a man.
3.
Jehovah’s victory on the battlefield was to instill fear in the
Philistines and faith in the Israelites.
III.
David’s Victory Depended on His Faith in God!
A.
He Fought in the Name of Jehovah
1.
What does it mean to fight or act “in the name of the LORD?”
a)
We cannot act in someone’s name without their authorization or consent. (e.g.
credit card)
b)
To act in God’s name is to act in accordance with His authority and will.
Jer. 14:14
2.
To win our spiritual battles and gain victory in Christ, we must fight in
His name. Co. 3:17
a)
We abide in Christ by abiding in His word. Jn.
15:4-8; 8:31-32
b)
Jesus empowers us to win spiritual victories, no matter how great the
obstacle. Php. 4:13
B.
He Fought for the Glory of Jehovah
1.
This was God’s battle David was fighting, not just Israel’s.
a)
David wasn’t seeking personal recognition; he had a spiritual focus.
26, 36-37, 46-47
b)
We cannot wear the name of God and be complacent when that name is
reproached.
2.
Our goal must be to honor God in everything, to lift Him up to the world.
1Co. 10:31
a)
These are spiritual battles we’re discussing, not worldly ambitions; how
do I defeat Satan?
b)
My life can bring glory to God, or it can dishonor Him. Mt. 5:16; Ro.
2:23-24
Action
1. David understood that the power of victory belongs to
Jehovah. Ps. 18:1-3, 20-35, 46-49
2. We face deadly foes, but Jehovah is the true God, and
the battle belongs to the Lord. Eph. 6:10-18
(Mk. 16:16)