David replied, "Your servant has been tending his father's sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, David replied,David answered Saul after offering to face Goliath, not with self-confidence or military credentials, but with the evidence of God’s faithfulness in his ordinary duties. The young shepherd understood that the God who had sustained him in hidden places would also be with him before Israel’s enemy. 1Sa 26:17-20 Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked,…
1Sa 24:8-12 After that, David got up, went out of the cave,…
1Sa 25:32-34 Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD,…
“Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, David spoke humbly as one under authority, both to Jesse and to the Lord. Though shepherding was a lowly family responsibility, it had trained him in watchfulness, courage, patience, and sacrificial care. God was preparing David for the day he would shepherd His people as king. David’s care for his father’s flock also anticipates the greater Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who lays down His life for His sheep. 1Sa 16:11 And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons”…
1Sa 16:19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son…
Psa 78:70-71 He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;…
and whenever a lion or a bear came The threats David faced were real and deadly. Lions and bears could attack flocks in the hill country and wilderness regions of Israel, and a shepherd who defended the sheep risked his own life. David had learned through such dangers that deliverance did not depend on outward strength, weapons, or human reputation. Amo 5:19 It will be like a man who flees from a lion,…
Hos 13:7-8 So like a lion I will pounce on them…
2Ki 2:24 Then he turned around, looked at them…
and carried off a lamb from the flock, A single lamb mattered because it belonged to David’s father and represented part of the family’s livelihood. David did not abandon what had been entrusted to him when danger came. His faithfulness in protecting vulnerable sheep revealed the heart of a true shepherd and demonstrated that he would not shrink back when Goliath threatened the people of God. Gen 31:39 I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts;…
Exo 22:13 If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it…
Jhn 10:12-13 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep…
Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd boy who would later become the king of Israel. At this point in the account, David is demonstrating his courage and faithfulness in protecting his father's sheep. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, who is hesitant to allow David to face Goliath. Saul represents the established authority and the human perspective of fear and doubt. 3. Lion and BearThese animals symbolize the real and present dangers that David faced while tending sheep. They represent challenges that require courage and reliance on God. 4. Father’s SheepThe flock that David is responsible for, symbolizing his duty and faithfulness in small things, which prepares him for greater responsibilities. 5. The EventDavid recounts his past experiences of protecting the sheep from predators, illustrating his bravery and trust in God’s deliverance. Teaching Points Faithfulness in Small ThingsDavid’s commitment to protecting his father’s sheep demonstrates the importance of being faithful in small tasks. This faithfulness prepares us for greater responsibilities in God’s kingdom. Courage in the Face of DangerDavid’s willingness to confront lions and bears shows that true courage comes from trusting in God’s strength rather than our own. Preparation for Greater ChallengesGod often uses our current circumstances to prepare us for future challenges. David’s experiences as a shepherd equipped him to face Goliath. Trust in God’s DeliveranceDavid’s confidence in God’s past deliverance from lions and bears strengthens his faith to face Goliath. Remembering God’s past faithfulness can bolster our trust in Him during present trials. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David’s experience as a shepherd prepare him for his encounter with Goliath, and what does this teach us about God’s preparation in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate faithfulness in the "small things" in our lives, and how might this prepare us for greater responsibilities? 3. Reflect on a time when you faced a "lion" or "bear" in your life. How did God deliver you, and how can this experience strengthen your faith in current challenges? 4. How does the imagery of a shepherd caring for his sheep deepen our understanding of God’s role as our Shepherd, as seen in Psalm 23 and John 10? 5. What practical steps can we take to cultivate courage and trust in God when facing daunting challenges, drawing from David’s example? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 23David, as a shepherd, later writes this psalm, reflecting his understanding of God as the ultimate Shepherd who protects and provides for His people. John 10:11-15Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, drawing a parallel to David’s role as a shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. Matthew 25:21The parable of the talents emphasizes faithfulness in small responsibilities, which aligns with David’s faithfulness in tending his father’s sheep. People Abinadab, Abner, David, Elah, Eliab, Ephah, Goliath, Israelites, Jesse, Saul, ShammahPlaces Azekah, Bethlehem, Ekron, Ephes-dammim, Gath, Jerusalem, Shaaraim, Socoh, Valley of ElahTopics Bear, Carried, David, Drove, Father's, Fed, Flock, Keeper, Keeping, Kept, Lamb, Lion, Saul, Servant, Sheep, Shepherd, TendingDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 17:34 8343 servanthood, in society 1 Samuel 17:20-51 5658 boys 1 Samuel 17:32-47 8024 faith, and blessings 1 Samuel 17:32-54 5086 David, rise of 1 Samuel 17:34-35 4604 animals, nature of
4684 sheep 1 Samuel 17:34-37 4666 lion
5854 experience, of God
7785 shepherd, occupation
7786 shepherd, king and leader
8025 faith, origins of 1 Samuel 17:34-50 8202 boldness 1 Samuel 17:34-51 5088 David, character Library The victory of Unarmed Faith
'And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33. And Saul said to David, 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. 34. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; 35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureApril the Thirtieth the Test of victory
"David behaveth himself wisely." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 55--xviii. 5. The hour of victory is a more severe moral test than the hour of defeat. Many a man can brave the perils of adversity who succumbs to the seductions of prosperity. He can stand the cold better than the heat! He is enriched by failure, but "spoilt by success." To test the real quality of a man, let us regard him just when he has slain Goliath! "David behaved himself wisely"! He was not "eaten up with pride." He developed no "side." …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year April the Twenty-Ninth the Mood of Triumph
"I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 38-54. The man who comes up to his foes with this assurance will fight and win. Reasonable confidence is one of the most important weapons in the warrior's armoury. Fear is always wasteful. The man who calmly expects to win has already begun to conquer. Our mood has so much to do with our might. And therefore does the Word of God counsel us to attend to our dispositions, lest, having carefully collected our material implements, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year The Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII How David Prevailed.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine!"--1 SAMUEL xvii. 50. Yes, he did, but he would not have done so if he had remained as quiet as the other Israelites. David was one of those who could not be easy so long as the enemies of his country were in the ascendant. To see a Philistine strutting about, defying the armies of the living God, was more than he could bear. Is not this the spirit which should animate Christians to-day? It is not one GOLIATH merely, there are many. DRUNKENNESS, PROFANITY, …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, was born at Giffordgate, four miles from Haddington, Scotland, in 1505. He first made his appearance as a preacher in Edinburgh, where he thundered against popery, but was imprisoned and sent to the galleys in 1546. In 1547 Edward VI secured his release and made him a royal chaplain, when he acquired the friendship of Cranmer and other reformers. On the accession of Mary (1553) he took refuge on the Continent. In 1556 he accepted the charge of a church in Geneva, …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading …
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them 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 Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 17:34 NIV1 Samuel 17:34 NLT1 Samuel 17:34 ESV1 Samuel 17:34 NASB1 Samuel 17:34 KJV
1 Samuel 17:34 Commentaries
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