Sermon Notes — June 14, 2026
“David and Goliath”
June 14, 2026
1 Samuel 17
Rev. Terry Carty
Why do we use this horrific story to teach children about God? It is one of the Bible’s most memorable narratives. A young person faces a giant and succeeds. Children easily understand the contrast between the little shepherd with a slingshot vs a giant covered in armor shouting threats. For some, it is a story of someone facing a bully. Children often experience situations where they feel small and powerless.
What I had remembered of this story from my Sunday School and Vacation Bible School days was a message that told me “if you are brave, you can defeat your giants.” I remember that I made a sling like David’s with a piece of rubber inner tube and strings. I couldn’t aim it and I was a danger to anyone or anything within 30 feet! Often the things we experienced in our childhood continue subconsciously into our adulthood. That may be the reason that I still have a fascination with slingshots. After all these years, though I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn, much less would I be able to defeat a giant with one.
Prayer: O Lord our help in ages past. God who can defeat evil with sticks and stones and sling shots. Help us hear something in this story that will increase our confidence in You and will give us hope for years to come. Amen.
As usual, I have over-researched this scripture. I could explain to you how it is an ancient narrative history account with heroic-tale features and theological storytelling. But you don’t need to hear that this morning. I will save that for a future Bible study.
The David and Goliath story as a metaphor for the hopes of the underdog has become a superficial cultural cliché. Everybody knows it. Everybody uses or thinks it at one time or another. Youth overpowering might. Weak overpowering powerful. Small overpowering large. Hope overpowering hopelessness.
But it is more than simply a matter of rooting for the underdog. It was designed to teach Israel about God’s character and the nature of faithful leadership. For us, it embodies the hopes of all persons when they are faced with overwhelming and evil power. It is the hope that there is a way to overcome that power and win the future.
The lessons we learn in this story are that
· God uses ordinary people, young and old, to do extraordinary things.
· God has already been at work in our lives before our current crisis. We can trust God to be with us now.
· We have already had experiences in life that prepare us to face our giants.
· The powerless are rarely able to overcome the powerful using the weapons and technologies of kingdoms. Alternative strategies and well-placed stones can defeat evil power.
· Words of truth are more powerful than words of threat.
We need to be reminded of these lessons as we face giants today. Do I need to tell you what your Goliaths are? Do I need to expound on the evil giants we face?
We, in this room or watching online, may personally know the evil giants of: poverty, debt, addiction, racism, isolation, abuse, hunger, despair, depression.
Dann’s song, “Strong,” expresses a cry for help in facing the things that oppress us in life.
“On the inside I don’t feel like a hampion
This pedestal they built is eelin’ shaky
But I can’t let them see me take a fall”
(Chorus)
They think I am strong
I can slay Goliath, but hey’re wrong
I never killed a iant
Or wrestled with a lion
They don’t know that I am barely hangin’ on
I’m anything but strong”
The David/Goliath story portrays Saul and his civilian army cowering in fear. They were anything but strong. But the hero, a boy, steps up with courage. He shows calm confidence in his words and in his preparation to face this giant.
David’s confidence comes from his previous experiences of God’s care. He has already wrestled with lions and bears, and by God’s power, he has prevailed. This giant is no different. He will trust God and use the gifts, skills, and resources that God has given him. God has prepared him for this moment to step on the battlefield and gather five stones. God guides the first stone to its target.
David’s central message is the one he repeats: The victory is God’s.
Like David, trusting God and using our own resources, we can face our difficult situations. We know what David did. He carried his shepherd’s staff and a sling with five stones. But what can we do to prepare to face our giants with courage, faith, and trust in God?
1) I suggest that we first step back and take a look at ourselves. What do we fear? Is it real threat, or a perceived uncertainty? Can we give it a name and talk about the threat?
2) Then we can take inventory. We probably cannot compete using the enemy’s resources. What are the resources we have and already know how to use? Don’t overlook calling on the power of God over evil – God wants us to succeed. The victory is God’s and God has provided whole communities to support us. We also have a direct line to God in prayer. And we have the Holy Spirit of God within us to discern our resources. We are equipped but we often don’t recognize it.
3) Accept the assurance that God is with us and we have resources. Take courage, have faith, and trust God. Be prepared to speak as David spoke to the Philistine: “You are coming against me with sword, spear, and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of heavenly forces … And all those gathered here will know that the Lord doesn’t save by means of sword and spear. The Lord owns this war.”
Benediction:
Have courage and proceed with faith and assurance like David who proclaimed, “The Lord who rescued me from the power of both lions and bears will rescue me from the power of this Philistine”
Go! And may the Lord be with you!