Study 24: 1 Samuel 17: 1-37: Trent Evans
- Trent Evans
- Sep 7
- 6 min read
This sermon on 1 Samuel 17 reminds listeners that the story of David and Goliath is ultimately about God’s faithfulness and strength, not human power. Goliath’s daily taunts instilled fear in Israel, showing how the enemy uses repetition to sow doubt and intimidation. David, arriving humbly with food for his brothers, demonstrates a heart fixed on God rather than fear of the giant. His confidence came from remembering God’s past deliverance, not his own skill, and he recognized that Goliath’s defiance was against the living God. The message challenges us to guard what we allow into our hearts, to be prepared for spiritual battles at any moment, and to trust God as our true champion who delivers His people in His timing.
Sermon Outline
1. Setting the Stage (00:02–03:49)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1–15
David and Saul are introduced in chapter 16; now the Philistines gather against Israel.
Key Point: God is the true champion; David is only His vessel.
2. The Champion Goliath (04:53–07:28)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:4–7
Goliath described: 9’9”, massive armor, heavy spear.
Hebrew insight: Champion = “man in the middle.”
Key Point: Israel had no champion, but God was preparing one.
3. The Enemy’s Intimidation (08:28–12:41)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:8–16
Goliath taunts for 40 days, instilling fear through repetition.
Cross-Reference: 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 12:2.
Key Point: Be cautious what shapes your mind and spirit.
4. David’s Humble Errand (15:35–18:28)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:17–20
Jesse sends David as a food courier, yet words sting (“all the men are fighting, except you”).
Key Point: Words have power; weigh them carefully. Even unnoticed, David was being prepared.
5. Always Be Ready (19:31–23:39)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:20–22
David unknowingly carries a sling with him.
Application: Be spiritually prepared at all times (Ephesians 6:10–13; 1 Peter 5:8).
Key Point: The enemy doesn’t schedule battles.
6. Goliath Advances (25:33–27:27)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:23–24
Hebrew: “Stepped out” = alah (“ascend”), showing Goliath taking ground.
Key Point: The enemy always seeks to trespass further into our lives.
7. Incentivizing the Battle (28:19–30:59)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:25–27
Saul offers wealth, marriage, and tax exemption to kill Goliath.
Application: In the church, don’t outsource spiritual work to leaders—engage personally.
Key Point: Kingdom work is not to be incentivized but embraced.
8. David’s Perspective (36:46–38:38)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:26
David asks: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
Key Point: David doesn’t see the giant, only God’s greatness (Psalm 141:8).
9. Family Opposition (39:50–42:41)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:28–30
Eliab burns with anger, accusing David’s motives.
Proverbs 29:11 – fools vent anger, but wisdom holds back.
Key Point: Even family can distract from God’s calling; practice self-control.
10. David’s Testimony of God’s Deliverance (43:42–49:29)
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32–37
David recalls God’s past faithfulness with lion and bear.
Key Point: Confidence is rooted not in self, but in God’s proven power.
Closing Application: Like David, we are jars of clay filled with God’s strength (2 Cor. 4:7).
Scripture References
1. 1 Samuel 17:1–15 (00:59–03:49)
Read to set the stage: Israel and Philistines at war, Goliath introduced, and David sent by Jesse.
Used as the foundation passage for the sermon.
2. 1 Samuel 17:4–7 (05:45–07:28)
Description of Goliath’s size and armor.
Emphasized the intimidating scale of the giant, contrasted with Israel’s fear and David’s coming faith.
3. 1 Samuel 17:8–11 (08:28–09:20)
Goliath’s challenge to Israel, asking for a champion.
Highlights Israel’s fear and lack of a representative.
4. 1 Samuel 17:16 (11:31–12:41)
Goliath’s taunts repeated for 40 days.
Illustrated the enemy’s use of repetition to instill fear and doubt.
5. 2 Timothy 1:7 (13:47)
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
Applied to contrast fear sown by Goliath with God’s gift of courage.
6. Romans 12:2 (13:47–14:38)
“Do not conform… but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Warns believers to be mindful of what they subject themselves to—media, voices, influences shaping their spirit.
7. 1 Samuel 17:17–20 (15:35–18:28)
Jesse sends David with food; David leaves early to deliver supplies.
Used to show David’s humility and the sting of being underestimated.
8. Ephesians 6:10–13 (23:39)
“Put on the full armor of God… so that when the day of evil comes, you may stand.”
Applied to David bringing his sling—symbol of being prepared at all times for spiritual battle.
9. 1 Peter 5:8 (24:27)
“Be alert and sober-minded; your enemy the devil prowls…”
Reinforced the need to always be spiritually ready for the enemy’s attacks.
10. 1 Samuel 17:23–24 (25:33–27:27)
Goliath “stepped out” (Hebrew alah, meaning “ascend”).
Used to show the enemy is always seeking to take more ground.
11. 1 Samuel 17:25–27 (28:19–30:59)
Saul’s offer of wealth, marriage, and tax exemption.
Application: modern churches often “incentivize” leaders to do ministry instead of engaging themselves.
12. 1 Samuel 17:26 (36:46–38:38)
David: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine…?”
Shows David’s God-centered vision; he sees Goliath not as a giant, but as defying the living God.
13. Psalm 141:8 (37:44)
“But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord…”
Supports David’s posture of faith, eyes fixed on God rather than opposition.
14. 1 Samuel 17:28–30 (39:50–42:41)
Eliab’s anger against David.
Example of family opposition; contrasted with Proverbs 29:11 on self-control.
15. Proverbs 29:11 (40:49–41:42)
“A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.”
Applied to Eliab’s rage and David’s wise, restrained response.
16. 1 Samuel 17:32–37 (43:42–49:29)
David’s testimony to Saul: God delivered him from lion and bear, and He will deliver from Goliath.
Central to the sermon: David’s confidence came from remembering God’s faithfulness.
17. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (54:06–55:40)
“We have this treasure in jars of clay…” (implied in closing prayer).
Reinforces that strength belongs to God, not us.
Word Study
1. Champion – בֵּין (bênayim)
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Strong’s Number: H996 (bên) in construct; bênayim = “between, man in the middle”
Pronunciation: bayn-ah-yeem
Definitions:
Simple: One who stands “between” two sides.
Extended: A representative warrior chosen to fight on behalf of an army (not necessarily a tournament victor).
Synonyms: “Representative,” “middleman.”
Antonyms: None explicit, but conceptually the opposite is a collective army fighting together.
Other Passages:
2 Samuel 18:23 — “between” (bên) used spatially.
Job 9:33 — “Neither is there any daysman (mediator, one in between) betwixt us.”
Reflection: Goliath claimed the role of champion, but the sermon showed that Israel’s true champion was God Himself, with David only as His vessel. This word deepens the reminder that the battle belongs to the Lord, not to human strength.
2. Stepped Out – עָלָה (ʿālāh)
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Strong’s Number: H5927
Pronunciation: aw-law’
Definitions:
Simple: To go up, ascend.
Extended: To rise, climb, or advance upward; used both physically and metaphorically (e.g., going up to Jerusalem, an offering “going up” to God).
Synonyms: “Ascend,” “go up,” “advance.”
Antonyms: יָרַד (yarad, H3381) — “to go down, descend.”
Other Passages:
Genesis 22:2 — Abraham told to “go up” (ʿālāh) to the mountain for sacrifice.
Isaiah 40:31 — Those who wait on the Lord will “mount up” (ʿālāh) with wings like eagles.
Reflection: Goliath didn’t merely “step out”; he ascended—showing the enemy’s constant push to take new ground. This insight strengthens the sermon’s call to vigilance: the devil seeks to trespass further unless God’s people stand firm.
3. Burned (with anger) – חָרָה (ḥārâ)
Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)
Strong’s Number: H2734
Pronunciation: khaw-raw’
Definitions:
Simple: To burn or be kindled.
Extended: To blaze with anger, to be furious, to glow with heat of passion.
Synonyms: “Kindle,” “be wroth,” “be hot.”
Antonyms: נָחַם (nāḥam, H5162) — “to comfort, relent.”
Other Passages:
Genesis 4:5 — Cain’s anger “was kindled” (ḥārâ).
Exodus 32:19 — Moses’ anger “burned” when he saw the golden calf.
Jonah 4:1 — Jonah “burned with anger” at God’s mercy.
Reflection: Eliab’s anger against David revealed his heart, in contrast to David’s God-focused faith. The sermon emphasized self-control (Proverbs 29:11). This word shows how unchecked anger exposes what’s within, while David models restraint, keeping his eyes on the true battle.
Questions for Deeper Study
Goliath repeated his threats for forty days (1 Samuel 17:16). What “voices” or influences in your life might be shaping your mindset through repetition, and how does Romans 12:2 challenge you to counter them with God’s truth?
David remembered God’s past deliverance from the lion and bear (1 Samuel 17:36–37). How can recalling your own experiences of God’s faithfulness strengthen your confidence in Him during present challenges?
Eliab’s anger revealed his heart (1 Samuel 17:28–29). How does Proverbs 29:11 invite us to examine our own reactions, and in what ways might God be calling you to practice greater self-control or humility in conflict?
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