Day 127 – David & Goliath

• I hope you really enjoyed reading today’s passages. The story of David and Goliath will be very familiar to you, I’m sure, and Psalm 23 is one of the most beautiful reminders of God’s protection over us. Did anything new strike you as you read the verses?
• Describe the scene at the start of 1 Samuel 17. The bible does a good job of explaining the story. Where was David? Where were some of his brothers? Why did David go to see his brothers?
• For 40 days – there’s the number 40 again! – Goliath shouted his challenge over the valley to the Israelite camp. What do you think it might have been like to have been a solider hearing that? Why do you think they weren’t brave enough to face Goliath, even with God helping them?
• David suggests this when he speaks in 1 Samuel 17:26. He says that they should be ready to fight Goliath because they have God on their side. What does his older brother say in response? Put yourself in Eliab’s position. You’ve been watching Goliath for weeks, and you’re scared. And now your little brother is telling you what to do. How would you have reacted?
• David wasn’t deterred from his convictions when his brother, and those around him, mocked him and shouted at him. How did he respond?
• How had God prepared David to fight Goliath? Is God preparing you for challenges in your life too?
• Saul might not have been a good king, but he puts his trust in David. We see this in verse 37. Why would Saul do this? What was he risking?
• What happens in the end?
• How does Psalm 23 link into today’s main reading? David wrote this Psalm, along with many others. Do you think this fight against Goliath might have been in his mind as he wrote verse 4?
• How many other “Goliaths” does David and his companions go on to fight, according to the final passage we read? The word “Goliath” might have been the name for several giants, or a common term to describe anyone who was particularly big.

The story of David and Goliath is not just about learning to have courage!

When David looked at Goliath, he didn’t see a man who was greater than he was. He saw a God who was greater than Goliath. He was laughed at and told off by his brothers, but instead of listening to the voices of men, he remembered the promises of God to keep Israel safe when they trusted in Him. We will be persecuted, like David (and like Jesus). Like David, don’t let that change your convictions or your courage to stand up for God’s word.

Look too at what David did for the people, and look at the similarities with Jesus. Through his confidence in God’s saving power, David is the representative fighter on behalf of the people. Jesus is the representative for us too, isn’t He? Both David and Jesus win victories for their people.

When we look closely, we begin to realise that the thing to take away from this story isn’t a moral thing like “be brave like David”. Focus instead on the people who are being saved. They needed David to save them and lead them to victory. With Jesus, we are called to be like Him in the way that we act, but that’s not the main thing. Jesus’ actions on the cross were the main event because we’re the people who need saving in Jesus’ story. Jesus is our true champion!