1 Samuel 17, part 1
Leaders Prep Section
Watch this video, read these notes, and send the pre-written email (below) to your group 2-3 days before you meet.
Notes
David and Goliath is one of the most popular stories from the historic scriptures…usually for the wrong reason. Most people think it’s about human characters in a human struggle. But it’s really a chance to watch God teach a lesson on leadership to two men, and Goliath isn’t one of them.
Group Guide Starts Here
Context of scripture
A new role has been created, carved out from the universe God created for us…a man will now be king; an endowment of independent authority that exists between God and God’s people. And God is building the job description, picking the candidates, and providing the leadership training. Saul was candidate #1; David is candidate #2. They are similar in many ways. Both were humble in the beginning; however, David even more so. There’s nothing special about him. He is a shepherd working largely by himself, in nature and alone with God. His only pretense is that there is a God and he is to be of service to him. His life is very simple. Among the millions of men in Israel, this is whom he chooses.
Do you consider yourself someone that is humble and quiet enough in your own mind that God could really work with you?
Do you consistently camp, hike, drive, or use any other device to clear your mind and listen? Do you see this kind of thing as valuable? What do you get out of it?
Read 1 Samuel 17: 1-11
If you’ll remember, the Philistines were sea-peoples, warriors from the area around Greece. They have historical connections with the Greeks during the late Bronze Age. As documented in the Iliad, Book II (and popularized in the movie “Troy”) Homer describes the battle between Hector and Achilles. Hector, the challenger (like Goliath) offered to fight another man as a way of settling a war. So in this instance, the Philistines were carrying forward a tradition of war they were familiar with from their history with the Greeks. The Israelites on the other hand had never experienced this kind of scenario. Much of their confusion may have simply been associated with the shock of Goliath’s proposition.
Ironically though, Goliath’s challenge came at an ideal time in history for the Israelites because they had decided they wanted a man to lead them. Historically speaking, when God led them in battle, God took care of things supernaturally or, if the Israelites got involved, they all got involved. Now, they were forced to find a man who would step into the spotlight.
Read 1 Samuel 17: 12-27
Typically, when people talk about the story of David and Goliath, they focus on themes like underdogs, giants, and overcoming. However, this is actually one of the least impressive among all stories involving underdogs, giants, and overcoming that we have seen. In Joshua 2, God stopped a river for 2.5 million people to cross. In Joshua 6, God toppled the walls of Jericho, the strongest fortress in the region, without a single weapon being used. In Joshua 10, he stopped the sun and attacked legions of enemies with large hail. In Judges 7, 300 men won a fight against 135,000…and on and on these stories go.
If there are so many other, and arguably better, stories about overcoming, why do you think the story of David and Goliath is so widely known?
One unique aspect in this story that separates it from all the others is that God is training leaders. For just a moment, ignore Goliath and the armies. They are circumstantial. Picture only Saul, David, and God, and let everything else fade into the background. Saul and David have been anointed by God to lead (although Saul doesn’t know about David’s anointing yet). God is equally willing to work through either of them at this very moment.
However, Saul and David are in different places. Just a few chapters ago, Saul was ready to murder an oppressive king who was gouging out everyone’s eyes. He didn’t blink. Now, facing the threats of a giant, he’s scared.
But, David, who isn’t even old enough to be there, is ready to fight a giant. He isn’t blinking.
Saul has lost something. David has found something.
What do you think that something is that we need to have to be effective leaders?”