Today, we will explore 1 Samuel 16-17, which tells the story of David being chosen by God and his victorious battle against the giant Goliath that had terrified Israel. These two chapters show us that God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance, and that true victory in life comes from trusting in Him.
1. David's Anointing (1 Samuel 16)
A. Samuel and Jesse's Sons
1 Samuel 16 begins with God seeking a new king to replace Saul. God directs Samuel to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint the new king of Israel. Jesse's sons pass before Samuel, but none of them are chosen by God. "But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7) Finally, Samuel asks for the youngest son, David, who was tending the sheep, and God tells Samuel to anoint him. From that day forward, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.
B. David's Anointing and Saul's Distress
After his anointing, David is summoned to King Saul's court to play the harp and soothe Saul's troubled spirit. "Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." (1 Samuel 16:23) This scene symbolizes David's future role as the one to succeed Saul as king of Israel.
Lesson:
- God Looks at the Heart: God sees beyond appearances and looks at the heart. David, the youngest and least likely candidate in the eyes of his family, was chosen because of his genuine faith and character. In our own lives, we need to focus on developing a heart that pleases God rather than worrying about outward appearances.
- Preparation for Service: David was called to serve in Saul's court, where he learned to serve and submit before becoming king. God often prepares us for greater responsibilities through opportunities to serve in humility.
2. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
A. Goliath's Challenge and Israel's Fear
1 Samuel 17 describes the challenge of Goliath, a giant from the Philistine army who taunted Israel for 40 days, demanding someone come out to fight him. His imposing size and armor instilled great fear in the Israelites, including King Saul. "Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel... 'Choose a man and have him come down to me.'" (1 Samuel 17:8-10) Even Saul and the entire army were too afraid to face him.
B. David's Courage and Faith
David, while delivering supplies to his brothers at the battlefield, heard Goliath's taunts and was deeply angered by the Philistine's defiance against the armies of God. He volunteered to fight Goliath. "David said to Saul, 'Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.'" (1 Samuel 17:32) Despite his young age and lack of military experience, David was confident because of his past experiences where God delivered him from the paws of a lion and a bear while protecting his flock. He believed God would deliver him from Goliath as well.
C. David's Victory
David approached Goliath without armor, armed only with a sling and five smooth stones. Goliath mocked him, but David responded by invoking the name of the Lord. "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (1 Samuel 17:45) David struck Goliath on the forehead with a stone, defeating him. This victory, which came through David's faith and courage, brought glory to God and showed the entire nation that true strength comes from trusting in the Lord.
Lesson:
- Faith in God Brings Victory: David fought Goliath not with his own strength but by trusting in God. In our lives, we face "giants" — challenges that seem impossible to overcome. Like David, we must trust in God to give us the courage to face these challenges.
- Small Preparations Lead to Great Victories: David's experiences as a shepherd, where he defended his sheep from predators, gave him the confidence and skills needed for his battle with Goliath. Our daily acts of faithfulness prepare us for the larger battles God calls us to face.
- Victory in the Name of the Lord: David approached Goliath in the name of the Lord, not relying on conventional weapons or human strength. Our true victories in life come when we rely on God's power, not our own abilities. God empowers those who trust in Him.
Conclusion: Trusting in God and Stepping Forward in Faith
1 Samuel 16-17 shows us the importance of having a heart that seeks God and trusting Him fully in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. David was chosen because his heart was aligned with God's will, and his faith enabled him to defeat Goliath. In our lives, we too must strive to be people after God's own heart, trusting Him with our challenges and relying on His power for victory.
May we, like David, step out in faith and face the giants in our lives, knowing that our strength and victory come from the Lord.
"May we trust God fully and face our challenges boldly, knowing He fights for us."
Blog Reader Questions:
- Have you ever faced a giant challenge like David did? How did you trust God through it?
- What lessons did you learn from David's story in 1 Samuel 16-17? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
댓글