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1 Samuel 17:34
Verse
Context
David Accepts the Challenge
33But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”34David 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,35I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.
Sermons
J. Vernon McGee
Carter Conlon
Joshua DanielCarter Conlon
Zac Poonen
St. John Chrysostom
Harriet N. CookSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Thy servant kept his father's sheep - He found it necessary to give Saul the reasons why he undertook this combat; and why he expected to be victorious. 1. I have courage to undertake it, and strength to perform it. 2. Both have been tried in a very signal manner: (1). A lion came upon my flock, and seized a lamb; I ran after him, he attacked me, I seized hold of him by his shaggy locks, smote and slew him, and delivered the lamb. (2). A bear came in the same way, and I attacked and slew him. 3. This, with whom I am to fight, is a Philistine, an uncircumcised man; one who is an enemy to God: God therefore will not be on his side. On that ground I have nothing to fear. 4. He has defied the armies of the Lord; and has in effect defied Jehovah himself: therefore the battle is the Lord's, and he will stand by me. 5. I have perfect confidence in his protection and defense; for they that trust in him shall never be confounded. 6. I conclude, therefore, that the Lord, who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
a lion, and a bear--There were two different rencontres, for those animals prowl alone. The bear must have been a Syrian bear, which is believed to be a distinct species, or perhaps a variety, of the brown bear. The beard applies to the lion alone. Those feats seem to have been performed with no weapons more effective than the rude staves and stones of the field, or his shepherd's crook.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And David said unto Saul,.... In answer to his objection of inability to encounter with one so superior to him; and this answer is founded on experience and facts, and shows that he was not so weak and inexpert as Saul took him to be: thy servant kept his father's sheep; which he was not ashamed to own, and especially as it furnished him with an stance of his courage, bravery, and success, and which would be convincing to Saul: and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; not that they came together; though Kimchi so interprets it, "a lion with a bear"; but these are creatures that do not use to go together; and besides, both could not be said with propriety to take one and the same lamb out of the flock: to which may be added, that David in Sa1 17:35 speaks only of one, out of whose mouth he took the lamb; wherefore the words may be rendered, "a lion or a bear" (f); and if the copulative "and" is retained, the meaning can only be, that at different times they would come and take a lamb, a lion at one time, and a bear at another. (f) "leo vel ursus", V. L. "leo aut ursus", Junius & Tremellius, Bochart. Noldius, p. 271.
1 Samuel 17:34
David Accepts the Challenge
33But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”34David 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,35I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Guidelines) Obey the Bible
By J. Vernon McGee3.5K13:501SA 17:34In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and teachings. He highlights the significance of living a life that reflects the Gospel and proves the authenticity of the Bible. The speaker shares a jingle that reminds listeners that their actions and words are like writing a chapter in the Gospel each day. He also mentions a poem that encourages reading the Bible with the intention of learning and applying its teachings, rather than for personal gain or to find contradictions. The sermon concludes with a story about four clergymen discussing their preferred Bible translations, with one minister expressing his preference for his mother's translation.
The School of Faith
By Carter Conlon1.9K07:041SA 17:34
This sermon emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith and obedience, even in seemingly small or unnoticed tasks, as these are the places where God builds and establishes our faith. It shares powerful testimonies of how God works through simple acts of obedience and faithfulness, even when faced with discouragement or opposition. The message encourages believers to hold their ground, obey God wholeheartedly, and trust that He will bring about miraculous outcomes, regardless of the circumstances.
Deferred Obedience 1 - Part 1
By Joshua Daniel1.2K09:561SA 17:34
This sermon by Joshua Daniel focuses on the theme of deferred obedience, highlighting how individuals often do not start out with the intention to defy God but gradually drift away from obedience. Drawing from the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, the sermon emphasizes the importance of facing the 'Goliaths' in our hearts with courage and obedience to God, rather than running away or blaming circumstances. It underscores the need for grace that comes from an obedient heart when dealing with crises and challenges.
Delivering the Lamb From the Mouth of the Enemy
By Carter Conlon89455:051SA 17:34This sermon emphasizes the importance of winning secret battles in our personal lives to ultimately bring glory to God. Drawing from the story of David and Goliath, the speaker highlights the need to overcome hidden struggles, fears, and unbelief by standing on the promises of God. The message calls for a spiritual awakening in the church, urging believers to fight in prayer, acts of kindness, and faith in God's power. It challenges individuals to take back the victories that belong to them and not let the enemy steal their testimonies.
Shepherds and Hirelings
By Zac Poonen01SA 17:34EZK 34:3EZK 34:111TI 3:11PE 5:8Zac Poonen preaches on the role of shepherds in the church, drawing from Ezekiel 34 to highlight the contrast between hirelings who seek their own gain and true shepherds who sacrificially care for and protect the flock. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual fathers who go beyond preaching to personally care for and strengthen the spiritually sick and lost, likening them to shepherds who fight against spiritual enemies to deliver the lambs. Poonen warns that the failure of shepherds can lead God's people into spiritual Babylon, urging aspiring elders to see it as a noble work of serving and blessing others rather than seeking titles or honor.
2 Corinthians 11:13
By St. John Chrysostom01SA 12:31SA 17:34ISA 40:6AMO 7:14MIC 3:82CO 11:142CO 11:20PHP 3:4John Chrysostom preaches about false apostles who deceive by pretending to be true messengers of Christ, warning against those who seek to manipulate and exploit others for personal gain. He emphasizes the importance of discerning true ministers of righteousness from those who only appear righteous on the outside but lack genuine power and sincerity. Chrysostom challenges the congregation to evaluate leaders by their actions rather than outward appearances, highlighting the dangers of envy, vainglory, and the slavery that comes with seeking worldly recognition and approval.
The Bear
By Harriet N. Cook01SA 17:342SA 17:82KI 2:23PRO 28:15HOS 13:8Harriet N. Cook emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion, drawing parallels between the behavior of bears and human interactions. She highlights the sacrificial love of a mother bear for her cubs, illustrating the depth of love and protection. Cook also delves into biblical references to bears, showcasing how the Bible writers understood and used animal behavior to convey spiritual lessons. Through stories like the one of David facing Goliath and the tragic fate of disrespectful children in 2 Kings, she underscores the consequences of dishonoring God and the importance of trusting in His deliverance in times of trouble.
Remember What God Has Done
By David Wilkerson0Remembering God's FaithfulnessOvercoming Trials1SA 17:34David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past deliverances in our lives, especially when facing new challenges. He illustrates this through the example of David, who recalled his victories over the lion and the bear to bolster his faith against Goliath. Wilkerson warns against the tendency to forget God's works, as seen in the Israelites' history, and encourages believers to actively remind themselves of God's faithfulness. He suggests keeping a journal of God's past interventions to strengthen faith during trials. Ultimately, he calls for a conscious effort to remember God's goodness to combat feelings of despair in difficult times.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Thy servant kept his father's sheep - He found it necessary to give Saul the reasons why he undertook this combat; and why he expected to be victorious. 1. I have courage to undertake it, and strength to perform it. 2. Both have been tried in a very signal manner: (1). A lion came upon my flock, and seized a lamb; I ran after him, he attacked me, I seized hold of him by his shaggy locks, smote and slew him, and delivered the lamb. (2). A bear came in the same way, and I attacked and slew him. 3. This, with whom I am to fight, is a Philistine, an uncircumcised man; one who is an enemy to God: God therefore will not be on his side. On that ground I have nothing to fear. 4. He has defied the armies of the Lord; and has in effect defied Jehovah himself: therefore the battle is the Lord's, and he will stand by me. 5. I have perfect confidence in his protection and defense; for they that trust in him shall never be confounded. 6. I conclude, therefore, that the Lord, who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
a lion, and a bear--There were two different rencontres, for those animals prowl alone. The bear must have been a Syrian bear, which is believed to be a distinct species, or perhaps a variety, of the brown bear. The beard applies to the lion alone. Those feats seem to have been performed with no weapons more effective than the rude staves and stones of the field, or his shepherd's crook.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And David said unto Saul,.... In answer to his objection of inability to encounter with one so superior to him; and this answer is founded on experience and facts, and shows that he was not so weak and inexpert as Saul took him to be: thy servant kept his father's sheep; which he was not ashamed to own, and especially as it furnished him with an stance of his courage, bravery, and success, and which would be convincing to Saul: and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; not that they came together; though Kimchi so interprets it, "a lion with a bear"; but these are creatures that do not use to go together; and besides, both could not be said with propriety to take one and the same lamb out of the flock: to which may be added, that David in Sa1 17:35 speaks only of one, out of whose mouth he took the lamb; wherefore the words may be rendered, "a lion or a bear" (f); and if the copulative "and" is retained, the meaning can only be, that at different times they would come and take a lamb, a lion at one time, and a bear at another. (f) "leo vel ursus", V. L. "leo aut ursus", Junius & Tremellius, Bochart. Noldius, p. 271.