Study 25: 1 Samuel 17: 38-58: Trent Evans

This sermon on 1 Samuel 17 calls believers to see the battle between David and Goliath as a living picture of spiritual warfare. David’s refusal to wear Saul’s armor shows the need to lay aside what does not fit and instead trust God with what He has already placed in our hands. The message highlights how the enemy uses weapons such as deception, division, isolation, and accusation, but like David, we must recognize these tactics and confront them in the strength of the Lord. David’s confidence was not in his sling or stones, but in the name of the living God, reminding us that victory comes through faith and obedience. The sermon urges Christians to prepare in their “shepherd’s field” seasons so that when giants arise, they will be ready to stand firm, act in faith, and live as witnesses to God’s power and faithfulness

Sermon Outline

1. Setting the Context: A Heavy Week & A Needy World

• Timestamp: 00:17–02:47

• Key Point: Despite cultural heaviness and grief, God is moving; we must pray for one another, the church, the nation, and the world.

• Scripture Reference: General call to prayer and reflection.

2. David Steps Forward in Faith

• Timestamp: 02:47–07:42

• Key Point: David offers to fight Goliath when no one else will; recalls God’s past faithfulness with lion and bear as assurance of future victory.

• Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:32–37.

3. Saul’s Armor: Removing What Doesn’t Fit

• Timestamp: 09:40–12:30

• Key Point: Saul tries to equip David with armor that does not fit. David recognizes, names the problem, and removes it. Lesson: lay aside what God has not designed for us.

• Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:38–40.

4. Taking Hold of What We Know

• Timestamp: 13:21–14:27

• Key Point: David takes his staff, sling, and stones—tools familiar to him—along with a heart full of faith. We are to rely on what God has already entrusted to us.

• Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:40.

5. The Enemy Always Advances

• Timestamp: 15:47–17:54

• Key Point: While David prepares, Goliath moves closer. The enemy presses in while we hesitate, just as Satan waits for “opportune times.”

• Scripture Reference: Luke 4:13; 1 Samuel 17:41.

6. God Looks at the Heart

• Timestamp: 17:54–19:59

• Key Point: Goliath mocks David based on outward appearance, but God sees the heart of a king and champion.

• Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Samuel 17:42–44.

7. Recognizing the Enemy’s Weapons

• Timestamp: 21:03–26:46

• Key Point: David names the enemy’s weapons, then declares his trust in God. The enemy’s tools include deception (John 8:44), twisting God’s Word (Gen. 3:1), sowing division (Rom. 16:17–18), isolation (1 Pet. 5:8), and accusation (Rev. 12:10).

• Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:45.

8. The 41st Day: God’s Timing and Victory

• Timestamp: 27:55–33:20

• Key Point: After 40 days of taunts, David declares victory on the 41st day. God often acts on the “41st day” moments of life, showing His power beyond human delay.

• Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:46–47; connections to Moses (Ex. 24:18; 34:28), Jonah (Jonah 3:4), Jesus’ temptation and resurrection (Matt. 4:1–11; Acts 1:3, 9).

9. Faith in Action: The Stone Strikes the Giant

• Timestamp: 35:14–37:47

• Key Point: Words of faith must be matched with action. David runs toward Goliath, slings the stone, and God grants victory. Faith + obedience = breakthrough.

• Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:48–50.

10. Trophies of God’s Faithfulness

• Timestamp: 38:53–42:45; 50:01–52:42

• Key Point: David kept Goliath’s sword as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, later placing it before the priest for the nation. We must keep spiritual “trophies” that remind us of God’s victories in our lives. Communion then draws us back to the ultimate victory of Christ’s body and blood.

• Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 17:51–58; 1 Samuel 21:8–10; Luke 22:19–20.

Scripture References

1. 1 Samuel 17:32–37

• Timestamp: 02:47–07:42

• Usage: David recalls God’s past deliverance from lion and bear, using this as confidence that God will also deliver him from Goliath. Shows trust in God’s proven faithfulness.

2. 1 Samuel 17:38–40

• Timestamp: 09:40–12:30

• Usage: Saul tries to clothe David with his armor, but David removes it because it does not fit. Used to illustrate laying aside what God has not designed for us.

3. 1 Samuel 17:40

• Timestamp: 13:21–14:27

• Usage: David chooses his staff, sling, and five stones—tools familiar to him. Emphasizes the importance of taking hold of what God has already given us.

4. Luke 4:13 (Implied)

• Timestamp: 15:47–16:47

• Usage: Connected to the “opportune time” when Satan tempted Jesus. Used to show that the enemy advances while we hesitate.

5. 1 Samuel 16:7

• Timestamp: 17:54–19:59

• Usage: Quoted to contrast outward appearance with God’s view of the heart. Goliath mocks David’s youth, but God sees a champion.

6. 1 Samuel 17:42–44

• Timestamp: 17:54–19:59

• Usage: Goliath curses David and despises him. Illustrates how the world underestimates the people of God because they do not see the Spirit within.

7. 1 Samuel 17:45

• Timestamp: 21:03–22:08

• Usage: David declares he comes against Goliath in the name of the Lord, not with weapons. Used as a model for recognizing God’s authority in spiritual battles.

8. John 8:44

• Timestamp: 23:08–24:02

• Usage: Quoted to identify one of the enemy’s weapons: lies and deception.

9. Genesis 3:1

• Timestamp: 24:02–24:30

• Usage: Cited as an example of the serpent twisting God’s Word to sow doubt.

10. Romans 16:17–18

• Timestamp: 24:30–25:00

• Usage: Warns believers to watch out for those who cause division. Used to explain how the enemy sows discord in the church.

11. 1 Peter 5:8

• Timestamp: 25:51–26:30

• Usage: The enemy prowls like a lion seeking someone to devour. Applied to the tactic of isolating believers from the body of Christ.

12. Revelation 12:10

• Timestamp: 26:46–27:55

• Usage: Names Satan as “the accuser.” Used to show how the enemy brings shame and guilt against believers.

13. 1 Samuel 17:46–47

• Timestamp: 27:55–33:20

• Usage: David declares victory on the “41st day,” emphasizing God’s timing and that the battle belongs to the Lord.

14. Exodus 24:18; 34:28 (Moses on Sinai)

• Timestamp: 30:57

• Usage: Moses fasted 40 days, then on the 41st received the Ten Commandments. Paralleled to David’s victory on the 41st day.

15. Jonah 3:4

• Timestamp: 30:57

• Usage: Nineveh repented for 40 days, and God relented on the 41st. Reinforces the “41st day” theme of breakthrough.

16. Matthew 4:1–11 (Jesus’ temptation)

• Timestamp: 30:57

• Usage: Jesus fasted 40 days, then overcame the enemy and began His ministry on the 41st.

17. Acts 1:3, 9 (Resurrection appearances & ascension)

• Timestamp: 30:57

• Usage: Jesus appeared 40 days after resurrection, then ascended on the 41st. Tied into the theme of God’s decisive action after testing/waiting.

18. 1 Samuel 17:48–50

• Timestamp: 35:14–37:47

• Usage: David runs toward Goliath, slings the stone, and kills him. Shows that faith must be joined with action.

19. 1 Samuel 17:51–58

• Timestamp: 37:47–42:45

• Usage: David cuts off Goliath’s head and later places his sword in the priest’s care. Used to highlight “trophies of God’s faithfulness” as reminders of His victories.

20. 1 Samuel 21:8–10

• Timestamp: 42:45

• Usage: David later retrieves Goliath’s sword at Nob. Shows how God’s faithfulness is remembered across seasons.

21. Luke 22:19–20 (Communion)

• Timestamp: 52:42–53:58

• Usage: The body and blood of Christ are remembered through the Lord’s Supper. Connects David’s victory to Christ’s greater victory.

Word Study

1. Giant

• Language/Source: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Original Word: גָּבֹהַּ (gāvōah) or רָפָא (rapha) depending on context; here Goliath is described as a “champion” (Hebrew: ’ish ha-beynayim = “man between two” in 1 Sam. 17:4).

• Strong’s Number: H1368 (gibbôr, “mighty man, champion”)

• Pronunciation: ghib-bore’

• Definitions:

  • Simple: A mighty man, strong one, champion, warrior.

  • Extended: Refers to one who excels in physical strength or military prowess; used often for warriors, but also metaphorically for those who appear overwhelming.

• Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonym: ’anashim gibborim (mighty men, 2 Sam. 23:8).

  • Antonym: dal (weak, poor, Prov. 19:17).

• Other Uses in Scripture:

  • Gen. 6:4 — “The mighty men (gibborim) who were of old, men of renown.”

  • 2 Sam. 23:8 — David’s “mighty men” (gibborim) listed.

• Reflection: In the sermon, Goliath represented overwhelming opposition. The study of gibbôr shows that what looks like unbeatable strength in human eyes still falls before God’s Spirit-filled servant.

2. Heart

• Language/Source: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Original Word: לֵב (lēb)

• Strong’s Number: H3820

• Pronunciation: labe

• Definitions:

  • Simple: The inner man, mind, will, or heart.

  • Extended: Represents the seat of thought, emotion, conscience, and moral character in Scripture.

• Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonym: nefesh (soul, life, Gen. 2:7).

  • Antonym: qāšeh lēb (hard-hearted, stubborn, Exod. 7:13).

• Other Uses in Scripture:

  • 1 Sam. 16:7 — “The Lord looks on the heart.”

  • Prov. 4:23 — “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

• Reflection: The sermon emphasized that God sees the heart, not appearance. Studying lēb reminds us that spiritual battles are not won by outward strength but by a heart aligned with God’s will.

3. Battle

• Language/Source: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Original Word: מִלְחָמָה (milchāmāh)

• Strong’s Number: H4421

• Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw’

• Definitions:

  • Simple: Battle, war, or fight.

  • Extended: Can refer to literal armed conflict or to struggles of a spiritual, political, or personal nature.

• Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonym: ṣābā’ (army, warfare, Exod. 12:41).

  • Antonym: shalom (peace, Isa. 9:6).

• Other Uses in Scripture:

  • 2 Chron. 20:15 — “The battle (milchāmāh) is not yours but God’s.”

  • Ps. 24:8 — “The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”

• Reflection: The sermon echoed this truth — “the battle is the Lord’s.” Word study of milchāmāh reinforces that God fights for His people, shifting focus from human strength to divine power.

Questions for Deeper Study

1. In 1 Samuel 17:47, David declares, “the battle is the Lord’s.” How does this truth shape the way you face personal struggles or spiritual opposition today? What “armor” or self-reliance might God be asking you to lay aside so you can trust Him fully?

2. The sermon highlighted that God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). How does Scripture challenge you to guard, examine, or align your heart with God’s purposes (Prov. 4:23; Ps. 139:23–24)? What practices help you keep your heart centered on Him?

3. Revelation 12:10 describes Satan as the accuser, but 1 John 2:1 reveals Jesus as our advocate. How can recognizing this contrast strengthen your confidence in God’s grace? When accusations or guilt rise in your mind, what Scriptures remind you of God’s truth and deliverance?