This document recounts the biblical story of David volunteering to fight Goliath after the Philistine giant defied the armies of Israel. It describes how David's oldest brother Eliab angrily confronts him for coming to the battlefield. However, David remains calm and refuses to retaliate against his brother. The document encourages having faith that God can use small churches and ordinary people to accomplish great things through His power.

1. Stone
Creek
www.rossvillechurch.com
781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741
June 10, 2012 1

2. Jesse had sent David to the battlefield to
bring back news of the battle, and
especially of his three oldest sons.
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3. Acts 17:25 And
the men of Israel said, Have ye seen
this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he
come up:
To defy Israel was to defy Israel's God.
Romans 12 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not
yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it
is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith
the Lord.
For Israel to be afraid was to doubt their God.
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4. 25band it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the
king will enrich him with great riches, and will
give him his daughter, and make his father's house
free (from taxes) in Israel.
King Saul had offered a great reward
to the man who killed Goliath.
He didn't have the guts to fight this giant,
but he hoped someone might.
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5. 26 And David spake to the men that stood by him,
saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth
this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from
Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine,
that he should defy the armies of the living God?
David couldn't believe his ears;
What shall be done for the man who kills him?
This uncircumcised Philistine!
Hear the sarcasm in David's tone.
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6. 27 And the people answered him after this manner,
saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth
him.
It was a magnificent reward, but they never
believed that anyone would ever collect it.
They didn't believe anyone would even try.
But they don't realize -- David has already
been anointed to be their king.
He is filled with the Holy Ghost.
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7. 28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake
unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled
against David, and he said, Why camest thou down
hither? and with whom hast thou left those few
sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the
naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down
that thou mightest see the battle.
Eliab was present when Samuel anointed
David, his little brother, to be king of Israel.
Perhaps it is envy that brought on this
unwarranted attack on David.
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8. Common decency would have been to ask,
"Hey little brother, did dad send you here?"
You see now why God rejected him as king.
Physically, Eliab was a big man; David was little.
Eliab was scared; David wasn't.
He wouldn't fight a giant;
But he would jump all over his little brother.
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9. In times of general formality (just a formality) and
lukewarmness, every degree of zeal which implies
readiness to go further, or to venture more in the
cause of God than others, will be blamed as pride
and ambition, and by none more than by near
relations, like Eliab, or negligent superiors. Matthew Henry
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10. Too many Christians have allowed worship to
become "Just a formality".
They have lukewarm fellowship with God.
They go thru the motions, but deny the Power of God.
We must come daily into the Presence of God
with thanksgiving and praise.
We must trust Him to move in our behalf.
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11. It was a trial of David's meekness, patience, and
constancy. He had right and reason on his side, and
did not render railing for railing; with a soft answer
he turned away his brother's wrath. This conquest
of his own passion was more honorable than the
conquest of Goliath. Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.
The temptation for most would have been to
respond in kind to his hateful brother.
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12. But David was filled with the Holy Spirit.
He controlled his hurt and anger in the Power of
God's Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 16 32 He that is slow to anger is better than
the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that
taketh a city.
Ephesians 4 AMP When angry, do not sin; do not
ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or
indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no
[such] room or foothold for the devil [give no
opportunity to him]. 12

13. Those who undertake great and public services,
must not think it strange if they are spoken ill of,
and opposed by those from whom they expect
support and assistance. They must humbly go on
with their work, in the face not only of enemies'
threats, but of friends' slights and suspicions.
Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.
Sometimes we only have Jesus walking with us.
He is sufficient.
Eliab fussed at David --
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14. 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there
not a cause?
Apparently David got fussed at a lot.
What have I done now?
I was just asking a question?
Does this remind you of a former man of God?
It reminds me of Joseph after God gave him
the dreams of greatness.
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15. 30 And he turned from him toward another, and
spake after the same manner: and the people
answered him again after the former manner.
31 And when the words were heard which David
spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he
sent for him.
Eliab fussed at David. Saul sent for him.
Saul needed a champion, and he surely didn't
have one before David got there.
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16. 32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail
because of him; thy servant will go and fight with
this Philistine.
No!
David knew that the Lord would fight for him;
He always had.
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17. We are just a small church,
with seemingly little
tools or talent.
Can God use us to do His
Work?
Just as God used David -- a mere youth --
He can use us, a small congregation,
To do His Will.
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18. Have Faith in God!
Let's actively submit ourselves to the
Holy Spirit every morning.
Let's worship and ask God to use us.
Let's see what God will do with us.
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