1 Samuel 17 part 2
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
The story of David and Saul is about leadership training. And when we look at it through that lens, we see what God wants us to do and what kind of man we start to look like.
Group Guide Starts Here
Context of scripture
It’s important first that we get something out of the way; so here goes. David wins. There, the suspense is over. It’s a first round knockout and Vegas is pissed. Nobody saw it coming…except two men who knew it before it happened. Typical teaching on the story of David and Goliath focuses on big vs. little. Perhaps it is because it’s an easier story to explain to children; perhaps most people don’t read the bible enough to know that this story, in comparison to other battle miracles God performed, is rather unspectacular. Regardless, as men who have both seen these stories in detail and understand the importance for true leadership, we have the ability to look at this story through another lens. God is teaching two men how to be leaders of his people. In other words, while everyone else is looking at David and Goliath, we are looking at David and Saul.
To catch up, David has been anointed king and has told no one. He works in Saul’s court as a musician to bring him a sense of calm against an evil spirit that God has sent to torment Saul. Whenever David shows up, the evil spirit leaves Saul alone. Saul is up against the rival Philistines who are using an ancient Greek battle scenario in which two men fight on behalf of entire armies. Israel has been at war with the Philistines since before Samson’s birth 66 years ago. However, this is the first time the Philistines have done this. It’s a setup. For the first time ever, a single man is being called out to represent the people of God…and God is right in the middle of training kings.
Read 1 Samuel 17: 28-30
In 1 Samuel 16, David is anointed king in front of his father, Jesse, and his brothers. Everyone, even Samuel, believe Eliab should be anointed king. The cultural norm at that time dictated that the first opportunities went to the eldest. There was a significant pressure to honor this tradition.
Who would be more willing to listen to you in matters of leadership, your own family or others who don’t know you?
Read 1 Samuel 17: 32-37
Notice that after Saul makes no objection whatsoever to David after hearing this story. Goliath has been taunting Israel for 40 days, so Saul has had plenty of time to think and receive counsel from his generals. He was also aware that the army was full of men skilled with a sling, a popular weapon within Israel dating back to the stories from Joshua and Judges where there were “700 men who could sling a stone at a target no wider than a hair, and not miss (Judges 20:16).”
What did David bring to the table that day that no one else in the Israeli army had?
By choosing to send David, the Israelites would be accepting the terms of the battle: if they lose, they’re slaves. The decision to send David was actually Saul’s, not David’s. Imagine you were Saul, faced with this decision. If you are wrong, everyone in your family (especially them) would be enslaved, tortured, or killed.
Do you believe Saul had any doubt David would win?
If he believed David would win, why wouldn’t Saul go fight? In other words, what happens inside a man who understands leadership, but still won’t lead? Have you ever known someone like this?
Read 1 Samuel 17: 38-54
Twice in the first half of this chapter, the people have been described as terrified. Prior to the battle with Goliath, there are only two calm people on the scene: Saul and David. Both know the outcome before it even happens and are acting with a calm that, to everyone else, probably looked insane.
Whether during 9/11, an economic crash, or COVID-19 (and during a time everyone else was freaking out), do you exhibit a sense of calm despite uncertainty? To what do you attribute your sense of calm?
Read 1 Samuel 17: 55-58
Saul recognizes what is actually happening. He understands his reign will end – God has appointed someone else. Even David does not know about that yet. David is just following God and, as a result, leading.
If the story of David and Saul were a story of leadership training, how would you define leadership so far as God is defining it through these men? In other words, what makes a leader?
Does a man of faith have an obligation to lead?