Old Testament 2 Lesson 4

Acknowledgments
Living Logos was the heart-work of Bro
Dale Starks and Sis Josephine Starks,
missionaries to Singapore in the early
1980s. As the original authors of this
devotionals, the Starks meant for
these self-study materials to help new converts
(and matured saints alike) get a hold of an
understanding of God’s written Word. Since Sis
Stark’s passing in 2013, the couple had graciously
entrusted Tabernacle of Joy with its copyright.
Therefore, with every print run, we would like to
honour their life work and sacrifice in bringing the
gospel to Singapore. This copy is an updated and
revised version. Be blessed as you immerse yourself
in the Word and allow God to transform you into
the likeness of Jesus Christ.
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Lesson
Four
Old Testament 2
Old Testament 2
DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY
One of the best-known stories from the Bible is the story of
David, the shepherd boy, who killed the giant Goliath. This is
that same David we will study about now.
Samuel was still weeping for Saul, when God spoke to him one
day,
How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him
from reigning over Israel? Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will
send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king
among his sons
— I Samuel 16:1
Samuel was reluctant to go, for he knew Saul would kill him
if he found out what he had done. But the LORD told him to
take a heifer with him, and say, “I am come to sacrifice to the
LORD.” The LORD promised to identify to him the man who
would be the next king. He was to call Jesse to the sacrifice
with his sons, and God would do the rest (I Samuel 16:2-3).
When Jesse came to the sacrifice with his sons, Samuel looked
on Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before
him.” However, God said unto Samuel:
...Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature;
because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth;
for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD
looketh on the heart
— I Samuel 16:7
Jesse made seven sons pass before Samuel, and each time
Samuel would say, “The LORD hath not chosen this one.”
When it appeared that Jesse had no more sons to pass before
Samuel, Samuel asked him, “Are here all thy children?” Jesse
replied, “There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he
keepeth the sheep.”
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Jesse sent and had David brought from the field. David was ruddy (having
a healthy red colour), beautiful, and goodly to look at. The LORD told
Samuel, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he” (I Samuel 16:8-12).
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his
brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward
— I Samuel 16:13
If you remember from previous studies, nobody had the Spirit of the LORD
dwelling in them in the Old Testament era, but the Spirit of the LORD
could come upon those whom God wanted to use in a special way.
Meanwhile, the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit
troubled him. Saul’s servants suggested to Saul that a man who is a cunning
player on a harp be sought out, and brought before the king to play whenever
the evil spirit was upon him, and he would be well.
Saul agreed to the suggestion, and one of the servants suggested David, for
it was of the LORD:
...Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing,
and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a
comely person, and the LORD is with him
— I Samuel 16:18
It seems that David had picked up his skill on the harp out in the fields,
while watching his father’s sheep. David was sent for by Saul, who loved him
greatly and made him his armour-bearer (I Samuel 18:21). An armour-bearer
is a person who carries the armour or weapons for a warrior. This honour
was given only to the most trusted people. This reveals how much Saul loved
and trusted David at first, even with his own life.
When the evil spirit would trouble Saul, David, the most versatile young
man, would take his harp and play hymns of worship unto God (That was
the only type of songs David wrote, at least that we know about). David
wrote most of the psalms in the Bible. As David played, the evil spirit would
depart from Saul, and he was refreshed (I Samuel 18:23).
Sometime later, however, David returned home. The Bible does not
give the reason for this. It could be because the Philistines had gathered
themselves together against the Israelites, and now that Saul was soon to be
engaged in real combat, he felt that his armour-bearer was too young and
inexperienced.
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There is also the strong possibility that Jesse pleaded with Saul to allow
David to return home to help him, because some of Jesse’s other sons had
been drafted to fight against the Philistines (I Samuel 17:15).
Saul and his armies pitched on one mountain, and the Philistines stood on
a mountain on the other side, with a valley separating them.
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named
Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span
— I Samuel 17:4
Goliath was a huge man, nine feet and nine inches tall. He was also heavily
covered with armour, from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. The
metal coat he wore for protection weighed about 166 pounds. Besides that,
a man bearing a shield ran before him to give him further protection
(I Samuel 17:5-7).
Goliath came down the mountain side and approached Israel close enough
to challenge them:
...why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye
servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if
I prevail against him, and kill him, than shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
...I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together
— I Samuel 17:8-10
When Saul and all Israel heard his words, they were troubled and greatly
afraid. Meanwhile, David had been sent by his father to the battlefield to
see how his brothers were doing. The Philistine drew near the Israelites
morning and evening for forty days, but no one accepted his challenge.
David arrived just before the giant made his boast, and greeted his brethren.
When David heard the giant give his challenge, he expected men to willingly
respond - perhaps even one of his own brothers. But all the men of Israel
were terrified by Goliath! (I Samuel 17:11-24)
Some of the men told David that the king had offered a reward to the man
that killed Goliath. The reward was the privilege of marrying the king’s
daughter, great riches, and his father’s house would be free in Israel. David’s
brothers were angry with him for his interest in the battle. Eliab, his oldest
brother, said, “I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for
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thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle” David answered,
“What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” (I Samuel 17:25-29).
David made it known that he would fight against Goliath. When these
words were repeated to the king, he sent for David. David told Saul, “Let
no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this
Philistine” (I Samuel 17:32).
But Saul replied, “Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight
with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
Then, David told Saul about two occasions when he was keeping his father’s
sheep. On one occasion, a lion came and took a lamb out of the flock.
David went after him and killed him. The other time it was a bear that
David killed (I Samuel 17:32-35).
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine
shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
...The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw
of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine...
— I Samuel 17:36-37
Saul could only answer, “Go, and the LORD be with thee.” How amazed he
must have been at the talent and character of David - and now his courage!
Saul armed David with his armour, and he put a helmet of brass upon
David’s head, and armed him with a metal coat. Then David strapped his
sword to the armour and tried to walk - but he could not! All the equipment
weighted him down.
He quickly put them all off! He had never used them before and he would
not use them now. He took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth
stones out of the brook. In the other hand was his sling (I Samuel 17:38-40).
When David wasn’t playing songs on his harp, while watching his father’s
sheep, he was probably practicing with his sling. He had probably killed the
lion and the bear in that manner. Now, his practice would come in handy,
although the giant was heavily armoured. In fact, there was only a small
spot on the upper part of the forehead that was not covered by the helmet.
It would take the help of God to hit that spot, but David believed that his
God would help him!
David drew near Goliath, and the Philistine began to draw nearer to David,
with the man that carried the shield going before him. When the Philistine
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saw David, he began to laugh and mock him, saying, “Am I a dog, that thou
comest to me with staves?” Then, he cursed David by his gods, and said,
“Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the
beasts of the field” (I Samuel 17:41-44).
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a
spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee,
and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the
Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth;
that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and
spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands
— I Samuel 17:45-47
David was so anxious to kill Goliath that he literally ran towards him.
When he got close enough, he put his hand in his bag and pulled out a
stone. After fitting it in his sling, he whirled it around a few times - and
then let it go. The stone struck the giant on the forehead, and he slumped
to the ground.
Then, David raced to the giant’s side, took his sword, and cut off his head.
When the Philistines saw their champion dead, they began to flee. The men
of Israel took new courage, now that Goliath was out of the way, and pursued
after the Philistines. Thus, the Israelites won a great victory that day,
thanks to a young shepherd boy who trusted in his God (I Samuel 17:48-52).
When David returned from the slaughter of the Philistines, Saul said to
him, “Whose son art thou, young man?” This is a very strange question, as
David had formerly served as Saul’s armour-bearer, and had played the harp
for him. Saul had known then who David’s father was. We can only guess
that as the evil spirit continued to trouble Saul, he was gradually losing his
mind. Saul took David that day, and would not let him return to his father’s
house.
DAVID AND JONATHAN’S FRIENDSHIP
...the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him
as his own soul
— I Samuel 18:1
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This is the most beautiful example of friendship in the Bible, except for the
close relationship that existed between Jesus and his disciples. This was not
impure and unholy love manifested between two homosexuals. David and
Jonathan were friends, not lovers. Their love for one another is an example
of what Peter was talking about in I Peter 1:22:
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto
unfeigned (genuine) love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a
pure heart fervently
— I Peter 1:22
Jonathan and David made a covenant with each other, because of their
love. This evidently was an agreement that they would always remain close
friends, and would be loyal to one another, despite whatever happened
(I Samuel 18:3).
Jonathan stripped himself of his robe, his garments, even to his sword and
bow, and gave it to David. Meanwhile, Saul had made David chief of his
army, and David was accepted in the sight of all the people, as well as Saul’s
servants. Yet there was one thing that bothered Saul! Whenever David had
returned from the slaughter of the Philistines, the women had come out of
all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul. They played
their tambourines and instruments of music with great joy while they sang a
song that did not make Saul very happy:
And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain
his thousands, and David his ten thousands
— I Samuel 18:7
Saul liked the first part of the song, but not the last part. “They have
ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but
thousands; and what can he have more but the kingdom?” Saul took careful
notice of David from that day on. Perhaps that is why he insisted that David
leave his home and live with him (I Samuel 18:8-9).
More and more, Saul became like a mad man. The day after David moved
in to live with Saul and Jonathan, the evil spirit began to trouble Saul, so
David played on his harp like he used to do. This time, it did no good! Saul
had a javelin in his hand at the time, and he cast it at David, attempting
to smite him even to the wall with it. Twice David had to escape out of his
presence (I Samuel 18:10-11).
And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was
departed from Saul
— I Samuel 18:12
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Saul had David removed from his presence by making him captain over
a thousand soldiers. David behaved himself wisely in all of his ways, and
the LORD was with him. Because David was now out among the people,
they came to love him even more, but Saul looked for a way to have David
destroyed.
He told David, “If you will fight the LORD’s battles for me, I will give my
daughter Merab to be your wife.” Saul was counting on David being killed
in battle action, but this did not happen. Meanwhile, he had given Merab to
another man.
When he found out that another daughter, Michal, loved David, he devised
another plan that he felt surely would lead to David’s death. He had his
servants commune with David secretly about how the king would delight to
have him for a son-in-law. David seemed greatly honoured by the prospect,
and the servants told this to Saul. Then, Saul told the servants to tell David
he could marry Michal, but he must pay dowry. The king did not want any
money. He wanted the foreskins of one hundred Philistines! The king felt
sure that this time David would be killed.
David and his men arose and slew two hundred Philistines, and brought
their foreskins to the king as proof of their deaths. The king had no
alternative. He gave Michal to David to be his wife. Meanwhile, his fear of
David continued to grow. He knew that all Israel and Judah loved him. He
was probably also aware of David and Jonathan’s friendship
(I Samuel 18:13-28).
And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul become David’s enemy
continually
— I Samuel 18:29
VOCABULARY
carcases —
dead bodies
cunning —
javelin —
versatile —
skillful or clever
a light spear
competent in many things
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Old
Lesson
Testament
Four
2
Test
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Was it the will of God for Samuel to keep weeping for Saul?
__________________________________________________.
What did God tell Samuel, when he believed Eliab must be the one God
would choose to be king?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
What kind of a spirit began to trouble Saul?
__________________________________________________.
What suggestion was given to relieve Saul of the oppressing spirit?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
Did Saul love David at first? __________________________________.
In addition to playing the harp for Saul, what other position did David
occupy?
_________________________________________________________.
What was Goliath, the Philistine, called (from I Samuel 17:4)?
_________________________________________________________.
What was his size? __________________________________________.
Describe his armour.
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
When David first volunteered to fight against Goliath, what was the
king’s answer?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
What did David tell the king to encourage him to allow him to go?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
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12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
What did the Philistine say when he saw David coming?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
David told the Philistine, “I come to thee _________________________
__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________.”
David also told him, “… for the battle is __________________________
________________________________________________________.”
Did the stone kill the giant? ___________________________________.
Based on the Scriptures, to what extent did Jonathan love David?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
What song did Saul not like?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
Why was Saul afraid of David?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
How did he try to kill him?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
What was of special interest to you in this lesson?
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