SHEEP IN THE WORD MINISTRIES Rev. Robert C. Lewis Glendale Baptist Church Houston, Texas quicknotes.org 2002

ROAD TO GLORY: DAVID’S TWO TESTS

The Little Test: David and Goliath

timeline of David’s life:

Popular Story: longer than any other Davidic battle story (912 words in Hebrew)longer than any other Davidic battle story (912 words in Hebrew) more quotations than in any other story (22 direct quotes) more quotations than in any other story (22 direct quotes)

includes the longest quotation in 1 and 2 Samuel (33 words from the lips of Goliath, 17:8–9) includes many details normally omitted (e.g., number of cheeses and loaves of bread, 17:17–18) includes the longest quotation in 1 and 2 Samuel (33 words from the lips of Goliath, 17:8–9) includes many details normally omitted (e.g., number of cheeses and loaves of bread, 17:17–18)

Test of Faith: this is not a story about human courage but a life built around faith in the LORD it took great faith in God for a teenager to challenge Goliath (1 Sam 17:37; cf. "the battle is the LORD's" 17:47) it took great faith in God for a teenager to challenge Goliath (1 Sam 17:37; cf. "the battle is the LORD's" 17:47)

Location of the Battle: Socoh is about 8 miles east of Gath and 15 miles west of Bethlehem

the Valley of Elah is located between Azekah and Socoh along the Wadi- es-Sant (dry river bed) the Philistines camped at Ephes-dammim, 2 miles west of Socoh the Valley of Elah is located between Azekah and Socoh along the Wadi- es-Sant (dry river bed) the Philistines camped at Ephes-dammim, 2 miles west of Socoh

Battle of the Valley of Elah: the Philistines held Azekah; they wanted to conquer Socoh on the other side of the Valley of Elah the Philistines held Azekah; they wanted to conquer Socoh on the other side of the Valley of Elah

the Israelite army blocked the Philistine advance into the mountains lacking chariots, Saul bided his time and didn’t venture out into the open plain (1 Sam 17:1–3) the Israelite army blocked the Philistine advance into the mountains lacking chariots, Saul bided his time and didn’t venture out into the open plain (1 Sam 17:1–3)

Representative Combat: a "champion" (lit. "man between the two") was a person who fought to the death in representative combat (1 Sam 17:4)a "champion" (lit. "man between the two") was a person who fought to the death in representative combat (1 Sam 17:4)

Risk: Goliath was 9’ 9” tall

he was specially dressed for representative combat (17:4– 7): (1) a bronze helmet (instead of a feathered headdress as in Egyptian art), (2) a 126 pound coat of scale armor, he was specially dressed for representative combat (17:4– 7): (1) a bronze helmet (instead of a feathered headdress as in Egyptian art), (2) a 126 pound coat of scale armor,

(3) bronze knee protectors, (4) a curved sword (bronze scimitar) slung on his back, (5) a long spear with a 15.1 pound iron point, and

(6) a shield bearer with a large, rectangular body shield–called a sinna (17:7) note: this is the longest description of military attire in the Old Testament

Object Lesson: to the Israelites Goliath looked invincible, but we have just been warned about paying undue attention to outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:6–7) to the Israelites Goliath looked invincible, but we have just been warned about paying undue attention to outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:6–7)

Greek and Philistine Custom : Goliath explained representative combat to the Israelites–apparently they had never seen it before (17:8–9) Goliath explained representative combat to the Israelites–apparently they had never seen it before (17:8–9)

it was a fight to the death between representatives of two opposing armies it was a fight to the death between representatives of two opposing armies

the nation represented by the loser would become subject to the nation represented by the victor the nation represented by the loser would become subject to the nation represented by the victor

representative combat was very common in the ancient world representative combat was very common in the ancient world

the Philistines reneged on the agreement– fighting instead of submitting (cf. 18:30) the Philistines reneged on the agreement– fighting instead of submitting (cf. 18:30)

Daily Challenge: Goliath challenged Israel twice a day for 40 days (17:16)–testing and putting to shame "the armies of the living God" (17:26) Goliath challenged Israel twice a day for 40 days (17:16)–testing and putting to shame "the armies of the living God" (17:26)

long standoffs were difficult for agricultural communities: the young men were needed in the fields in the spring and summer long standoffs were difficult for agricultural communities: the young men were needed in the fields in the spring and summer

Support Role: David was under the age of 20, the minimum age for military service (Num 1:3; 26:2)

he played a support role, taking food to his 3 brothers–about 15 miles (1 Samuel 17:12–24) he played a support role, taking food to his 3 brothers–about 15 miles (1 Samuel 17:12–24)

families of soldiers supplied food for their relatives he probably stayed overnight (cf. “his tent” 17:54) families of soldiers supplied food for their relatives he probably stayed overnight (cf. “his tent” 17:54)

Reward for Killing Goliath: King Saul offered a generous reward for killing Goliath, but there were no takers (17:25–30) King Saul offered a generous reward for killing Goliath, but there were no takers (17:25–30)

David Volunteers to Fight Goliath: first, he exhorts those present to not be afraid–all of them older than he (17:31–32)first, he exhorts those present to not be afraid–all of them older than he (17:31–32)

after being rebuffed, he emphasized his qualifications and experience–which persuaded King Saul (17:33–37) after being rebuffed, he emphasized his qualifications and experience–which persuaded King Saul (17:33–37)

Battle Gear: King Saul put his tunic, coat of armor, bronze helmet, and sword on David–the best battle gear in Israel (17:38–39; cf. 13:19–22)King Saul put his tunic, coat of armor, bronze helmet, and sword on David–the best battle gear in Israel (17:38–39; cf. 13:19–22)

he inadvertently foreshadowed the future: he clothed David with his symbols of royalty as God earlier anointed David with the Spirit as King of Israel (16:13) he inadvertently foreshadowed the future: he clothed David with his symbols of royalty as God earlier anointed David with the Spirit as King of Israel (16:13)

with the Spirit’s help, David began delivering Israel from the Philistines while Saul was still King (cf. 16:13, 14) with the Spirit’s help, David began delivering Israel from the Philistines while Saul was still King (cf. 16:13, 14)

David’s Weapons: a stick (17:40)–suitable only to spank dogs in Goliath’s opinion (17:43)a stick (17:40)–suitable only to spank dogs in Goliath’s opinion (17:43)

a sling–with 14.5 ounce tennis-ball-sized slingstones gathered from the dry river bed (examples on display in the Lachish exhibit at the British Museum) a sling–with 14.5 ounce tennis-ball-sized slingstones gathered from the dry river bed (examples on display in the Lachish exhibit at the British Museum)

Goliath Cursed David: he cursed a child of Abraham and God’s anointed–bringing the curse of the Abrahamic Covenant upon himself (17:43; cf. Gen 12:3) he cursed a child of Abraham and God’s anointed–bringing the curse of the Abrahamic Covenant upon himself (17:43; cf. Gen 12:3)

A Lesson in Faith: David believed he would be protected and victorious because God had chosen him to be the future King of Israel (cf. 16:1, 12–13)David believed he would be protected and victorious because God had chosen him to be the future King of Israel (cf. 16:1, 12–13)

he realized he was teaching his people a lesson in faith– ”and that all this assembly may know” (17:47) he realized he was teaching his people a lesson in faith– ”and that all this assembly may know” (17:47)

Failed the Test: King Saul (9:16; cf. 9:2; 10:23) and the army did not have faith in the covenant promises (Deut 20:1–4; 28:7) and were afraid to fight Goliath (17:11, 24–25, 32)–showing the failure of Israel's trust in man instead of God (8:20; 10:17–19)King Saul (9:16; cf. 9:2; 10:23) and the army did not have faith in the covenant promises (Deut 20:1–4; 28:7) and were afraid to fight Goliath (17:11, 24–25, 32)–showing the failure of Israel's trust in man instead of God (8:20; 10:17–19)

Passed the Test: David persuaded Saul to let him fight Goliath (17:31–37) and, with faith and courage (17:45–47), went out (17:40, 41–42, 48) and killed him (17:49–51; cf. Lev 24:16)–a job King Saul should have done David persuaded Saul to let him fight Goliath (17:31–37) and, with faith and courage (17:45–47), went out (17:40, 41–42, 48) and killed him (17:49–51; cf. Lev 24:16)–a job King Saul should have done

Victory: the Philistine army fled westward down the wadi (dry river bed) the Philistine army fled westward down the wadi (dry river bed)

Israel chased them all the way to Ekron–a distance of over 10 miles– killing all the stragglers left behind Israel chased them all the way to Ekron–a distance of over 10 miles– killing all the stragglers left behind

David dedicated the most prized trophy to the LORD–Goliath’s sword (compare 1 Samuel 17:51, 54 with 21:9) David dedicated the most prized trophy to the LORD–Goliath’s sword (compare 1 Samuel 17:51, 54 with 21:9)

Rewards for Passing the Test: (1) victory over the Philistines (17:51b– 53), (2) riches (17:25),

(3) marriage into the royal family (17:25; cf. 18:17–27), (4) tax exemption for his family (17:25), (5) favor with the royal family (17:55–18:4),

(6) success and promotion (18:5, 13), (7) popularity and fame (18:6–9, 16, 30; 19:1–7), and (8) God's help (18:12, 14– 15, 27–29)

The Big Test: Seven Years of Persecution

timeline of David’s life:

the test: undeserved persecution from King Saul (as observed by Jonathan, 1 Sam 19:4–6; 20:32–34; and admitted by Saul, 24:17; 26:21) undeserved persecution from King Saul (as observed by Jonathan, 1 Sam 19:4–6; 20:32–34; and admitted by Saul, 24:17; 26:21)

Saul tried to kill David nine times: (1) with his spear (18:10–12), (2) through marriage (18:17, 25), (3) through Jonathan (19:1–3),

(4) with his spear (19:9–10), (5) at home (19:11–17), (6) at Keilah (23:7–13),

(7) in the wilderness of Ziph (23:24–29), (8) in the wilderness of En Gedi (24:1–22), and (9) in the wilderness of Ziph at the Hill of Hachilah (26:1–25, esp. 26:12)

undeserved persecution: David did not know why Saul wanted to kill him (20:1; 26:18; cf. Psa 59:4) David did not know why Saul wanted to kill him (20:1; 26:18; cf. Psa 59:4)

a long test: this test lasted for seven years, created many hardships and unpleasant living conditions (fugitive life in the wilderness), and must have seemed like it would never end this test lasted for seven years, created many hardships and unpleasant living conditions (fugitive life in the wilderness), and must have seemed like it would never end

this test was from the LORD: Jonathan told David, “Go, for the LORD has sent you away” (20:22) Jonathan told David, “Go, for the LORD has sent you away” (20:22)

he experienced great pressure (22:20–23), encouragement from his friends (23:15–18; 25:26– 35), betrayal (23:19–24), and close calls (23:26–29; 24:3) he experienced great pressure (22:20–23), encouragement from his friends (23:15–18; 25:26– 35), betrayal (23:19–24), and close calls (23:26–29; 24:3)

great attitude: this test hurt (20:1, 41) but he continually had faith (Psa 56:3– 4), prayed (Psa 142), and wrote inspired hymns of praise to God (Psa 59, esp. verses 16–17; 56; 34; 57, esp. verses 7–11; 52; 63; 54; 7; 18)this test hurt (20:1, 41) but he continually had faith (Psa 56:3– 4), prayed (Psa 142), and wrote inspired hymns of praise to God (Psa 59, esp. verses 16–17; 56; 34; 57, esp. verses 7–11; 52; 63; 54; 7; 18)

God protected David in many different ways (1 Sam 23:14): (1) coming of the Spirit upon his enemies (19:18–24), (2) friendship and covenant with Jonathan (19:4–7; 20:1–42),

(3) divine guidance from a prophet (22:5; cf. 23:1–5), (4) guidance with the ephod (23:6–13), and (5) diversion (23:24–29)

deliverance: he continued delivering Israel from her enemies while being tested (23:1–6; 27:8– 12; 30:1–20), whereas King Saul killed the priests of the LORD (22:6–19; cf. 9:16) he continued delivering Israel from her enemies while being tested (23:1–6; 27:8– 12; 30:1–20), whereas King Saul killed the priests of the LORD (22:6–19; cf. 9:16)

temptation: twice David refused to put an end to the test by killing King Saul; instead he waited for God to provide a way of escape (24:1–22, esp. 24:4–7, 9–11; 26:1– 25, esp. 26:23–24)twice David refused to put an end to the test by killing King Saul; instead he waited for God to provide a way of escape (24:1–22, esp. 24:4–7, 9–11; 26:1– 25, esp. 26:23–24)

passed the test: he was faithful and blameless (Psa 18:20–24), had an occasional lapse of obedience (1 Sam 25:32–35) and faith (27:1–6), and left vengeance up to God (24:11–15) he was faithful and blameless (Psa 18:20–24), had an occasional lapse of obedience (1 Sam 25:32–35) and faith (27:1–6), and left vengeance up to God (24:11–15)

way of escape provided by God (cf. 1 Cor 10:13): Saul died the sin unto death in God's timing—killed in battle by the Philistines (28:19; 31:1–13; cf. 26:10) Saul died the sin unto death in God's timing—killed in battle by the Philistines (28:19; 31:1–13; cf. 26:10)

God rejected Saul and anointed David in his place (ca B.C.), but Saul was permitted to reign another 14 years before David became King of Judah (1010 B.C.) God rejected Saul and anointed David in his place (ca B.C.), but Saul was permitted to reign another 14 years before David became King of Judah (1010 B.C.)

rewards for passing the test: David was anointed King of Judah (2 Sam 2:4) and all Israel (5:1–5)—and God greatly blessed his reign (3:36; 5:10; 7:1, 8–9; 8:14) David was anointed King of Judah (2 Sam 2:4) and all Israel (5:1–5)—and God greatly blessed his reign (3:36; 5:10; 7:1, 8–9; 8:14)

SHEEP IN THE WORD MINISTRIES Rev. Robert C. Lewis Glendale Baptist Church Houston, Texas quicknotes.org 2002