Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Kills a Lion and a Bear

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David, the youngest son of Jesse, is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, known for his multifaceted role as a shepherd, warrior, poet, and eventually, the King of Israel. His early life as a shepherd in the fields of Bethlehem is marked by a profound trust in God and a series of remarkable feats that foreshadow his future as a leader and protector of Israel.

The account of David killing a lion and a bear is found in the context of his preparation to face the Philistine giant, Goliath. When David volunteers to fight Goliath, King Saul expresses doubt about David's ability to confront such a formidable opponent. In response, David recounts his past experiences as a shepherd, where he defended his father's flock against wild predators.

In 1 Samuel 17:34-36 , David says to Saul, "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, I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God."

This passage highlights several key aspects of David's character and faith. First, it demonstrates his courage and willingness to risk his life to protect his flock, a quality that would later define his leadership as king. David's actions are not merely acts of bravery but are deeply rooted in his faith in God's deliverance. He attributes his success against the lion and the bear to the Lord's protection and empowerment, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:37 : "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."

David's experience as a shepherd, where he learned to rely on God's strength, prepared him for the greater challenges he would face as a leader of Israel. His victory over the lion and the bear serves as a testament to his faith and God's providence, setting the stage for his future triumphs and his anointing as king.

The narrative of David's early exploits underscores the biblical theme of God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting in His power. David's reliance on God, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, exemplifies the biblical principle that God equips and empowers those He calls to fulfill His purposes.

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1 Samuel 17:34-36
And David said to Saul, Your servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
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Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... to Abraham; the third, from Abraham to David; the fourth, from David to the ... on Christ,
confessed Him as the Son of God and the King of Israel anointing the ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... David brought trouble (2 Samuel 12:10 ... them to their place: and the house of Israel
shall possess ... that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Turning Back in the Day of Battle
... for the glory was departed from Israel, because the ... who slays the little errors,
who kills the minor ... rested upon Mount Zion under the government of King David. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/turning back in the day.htm

On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... wise father; wherefore there is added the name of David, by whom ... "When a servant
reigneth:" Israel was a ... as by one command." The Gentiles had no king, for they ...
/.../on proverbs from the commentary.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... God's picture, and breaking in pieces the King of heaven's ... This sin of blood lay
heavy on David's conscience; though ... he fit to be a preacher in Israel, think ye ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Homiletical.
... the same man alive by the very means by which He kills him; He ... beginning of the
proverbs." "The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel." [601 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iv homiletical.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... Thus it happened to Israel: for their sin they were sent back again by ... that they
went on their way to a pleasant river, which David the king called "the ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... go to make up the leopard, the bear, and the lion parts of ... have been more than mere
names but for their connection with Moses and Israel. ... Pharoah, king of Egypt ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... Israel because he had given them such a king as Solomon ... the Son, "Thou art my servant,
O Israel, in whom ... 6. Ziba, in appearance, came to David much faster than ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... 'Lord, heal me,' said David, 'for my ... by the wrath and fear is meant the authoritative
word of a king. ... by that sad loss that God was angry with Israel, and he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm