Sermon Study Questions - January 31, 2016

David and Goliath: That All the Earth May Know

1 Samuel 17:1-58

January 31, 2016

Study Questions

1. Read 1 Samuel 17:1-11. Where exactly did this scene take place (consult a Study Bible or www.blueletterbible.org)? Why do the details about Goliath matter?

2. Why did Goliath make the particular challenge he made? How did Saul and the Israelites react to it? Why?

3. Read 1 Samuel 17:12-27. In light of chapter 16, why does the author give us these facts about David? What was David’s position in his family? Why does this matter?

4. How long did Goliath challenge Israel? What brought David to the battlefield? How did David come to know about Goliath? What question did David ask about him? Why?

5. Read 1 Samuel 17:28-37. Why was David’s oldest brother upset with him? What did David say and do in response to Eliab?

6. How did Saul hear about David? How does this square with chapter 16? What was David’s argument for going into battle? What was Saul’s response?

7. Read 1 Samuel 17:38-58. Why did David reject Saul’s armor (hint: there’s more here than meets the eye)? How did David come to be so good with a sling?

8. Why did Goliath despise David? What is at the heart of David’s speech to Goliath? How did David defeat Goliath?

9. What was Israel’s response after David defeated Goliath? What was Saul’s response to David? How does this square with chapter 16?

10. The story of David and Goliath is one of the most famous in the Bible, but what’s it really about? How does it fit into the flow of 1 Samuel? How does it relate to the gospel? What lessons are we supposed to take from it?

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