Bring up the story of David and Goliath with most people, and they will be familiar with the epochal event that took place thousands of years ago in Israel. David and Goliath are doubtlessly the most famous characters in the Old Testament. Even most non-Christians can recall what happened. But there is much more to the account than a shepherd boy who killed a giant.
1 Samuel
When the Godly Are Foolish
As David’s life demonstrates, Christians never mature beyond the need for the Holy Spirit’s power. At any age or stage, godliness isn’t a given . . . it must be chosen!
From 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21, Pastor Chuck Swindoll zeroes in on the biggest obstacle in David’s way—pride. Out of touch with God and unaccountable to others, David made the decision that seemed best to him, but it went against God’s clear direction. It really cost him!
Learn the benefits of taking God seriously and living with true accountability.
Cloudy Days . . . Dark Nights
David dealt with displacement, disillusionment, depression, and distrust.
After running from Saul, David found refuge in the enemy territory of Gath—Goliath’s homeland! Pastor Chuck Swindoll takes a deep look into this pitiful time of David’s story recorded for us in 1 Samuel 27:1–30:6.
Do you need to look up right now? The Father is waiting at the door, ready to forgive and willing to restore.
Two Deaths . . . A Study in Contrast
In the thick of battle, Saul chose to fall upon his own sword. It wasn’t the dignified death of a national leader but the self-inflicted ending of a tumultuous life.
Pastor Chuck Swindoll elucidates this dark story in 1 Samuel 31. He contrasts the tragic fall of Saul with the selfless and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
Death comes to us all, but Jesus brought life and immortality to light so you can live with supernatural hope!
For Cave Dwellers Only
Pastor Chuck Swindoll brings you in to the cave of Adullam in this sermon on 1 Samuel 22:1–2 where David arrived at his lowest point in life.
During this time, David penned three psalms—34, 57, and 142—that illustrate his drastic spiritual transition from desperation to confidence.
Pastor Chuck provides hope and light for those who finds themselves in similar desperation and darkness.
Life’s Most Subtle Temptation
When’s the last time you really wanted to get even with an enemy? Remember how you felt? Revenge is life’s most subtle temptation, and David had to face it head-on.
David was presented with the perfect opportunity to spill Saul’s blood after Saul had been in hot pursuit to kill David. Yet, David did not have God’s release to execute personal vengeance.
Follow the story of David’s cave encounter with King Saul in 1 Samuel 24. Pastor Chuck Swindoll challenges you to consider the slights and injustices against you with a biblical perspective. Yield to God and refuse to fight according to your sinful flesh!
What to Feed an Angry Man
After David passed one character test by letting tyrannical King Saul live, he faced another one. Foolish and wicked Nabal returned David’s kindness with hard-hearted rejection and mercilessness.
David and his men stood on brink of murder, but wise Abigail intervened!
Pastor Chuck Swindoll helps you navigate conflict in this sermon on 1 Samuel 25. Discover how trust in God leads to a cool head in conflict and a soft heart for even the most stubborn people.
David and the Dwarf
What do you do when you’re faced with an intimidating obstacle or a frightful enemy? For David, it was to draw upon his past experiences with God and move forward in faith.
Likewise, every Christian can exercise faith as a result of remembering God’s constant faithfulness in their lives.
Pastor Chuck Swindoll draws modern parallels from the iconic story of David and Goliath, in 1 Samuel 17:1–54, to help you face the giants in your life!
Aftermath of a Giant-Killing
When a moment of truth tested David’s mettle, he was ready. He had cultivated a deep trust in God and defeated the giant, Goliath.
What next? David had to maintain a steely character and cultivate the right relationships. Pastor Chuck Swindoll exposits 1 Samuel 17:55–18:9 that tells the beginnings of the brotherly bond between David and Jonathan. Find out what sets up long-term success and how godly friendships can lead you further into your spiritual destiny.
Samuel: The Boy Who Heard God’s Voice
Most of us can remember the pictures that hung on the walls of our Sunday school classrooms when we were children. They were usually portraits of biblical figures at crucial moments in their lives: Daniel in the lions’ den, David and Goliath, blind Samson standing between the temple pillars, Moses leading the Hebrews across the Red Sea, Jonah being thrown into the stormy seas, and other familiar scenes. Almost without exception, there was another . . . perhaps the most familiar of all: the boy Samuel as he heard God’s voice in the middle of the night. Have you ever wondered why God spoke to the lad? Or what He said to him that night? The scene may be familiar, but what it represents is not. Too bad. It’s a message as relevant today as it was when the Lord first spoke it.
