Lesson 88

1 Samuel 17

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to be taught by the Holy Ghost. Making the most of your seminary experience can help you know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ better. By studying the scriptures and the words of the prophets, you can learn how to progress toward eternal life.

Begin your study with prayer.

Have you ever felt frustrated because of a challenge that you faced? Or have you ever felt that what you experienced in life was unfair compared to others who seem to not have such difficult trials?

Listen to this counsel from Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Quorum of the Seventy where he explains why we should be careful not to resent the challenges that we face. How do trials help us to develop our divine nature?

You can read the text for this video here: “More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 79–80.

What Do You Think?

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges young people face today? Why are these challenges so difficult?

As you study 1 Samuel 17, look for principles that can help you know how to endure or overcome the challenges you are currently facing.

A Battle with the Philistines

We read in 1 Samuel 17:1–3 that the Philistines came again to battle against the Israelites. This picture shows the valley of Elah. The Philistines had gathered on one side of the valley of Elah, and the Israelites had gathered on the opposite side. The Philistines selected Goliath as their champion to represent their entire army.

Read 1 Samuel 17:4–7, looking for how Goliath and his armor and weapons were described.

Quiz 1

1. According to 1 Samuel 17:4, how tall was Goliath?

   1. 6 cubits and a span (approximately 9 feet, 9 inches tall [3 meters])

   2. A rod and a half (approximately 8 and a half feet tall [2½ meters])

   3. One furlong (approximately 12 feet tall [3½ meters])

2. According to verse 5, how much did Goliath’s coat of mail (the armor over his upper body) weigh?

   1. 4,000 shekels of brass (approximately 100 pounds [45 kilograms])

   2. 5,000 shekels of brass (approximately 150 pounds [68 kilograms])

   3. 6,000 shekels of brass (approximately 200 pounds [90 kilograms])

3. According to verse 7, how much did the tip of his spear weigh?

   1. 400 shekels of iron (between 5 and 8 pounds [2 and 3 kilograms])

   2. 500 shekels of iron (about 10 pounds [4 kilograms])

   3. 600 shekels of iron (between 12 and 26 pounds [5 and 12 kilograms])

Goliath’s Challenge

Read 1 Samuel 17:8–11, looking for the challenge Goliath gave to the Israelites.

How did the Israelite soldiers respond to this challenge?

David’s Arrival at the Camp

We read in 1 Samuel 17:12–21 that while the army of Israel was camped in preparation for battle with the Philistines, David was at home tending his father’s sheep. David’s father gave him food to take to his brothers, who were soldiers in the army of Israel, with instructions to see how they were doing at the battlefront. David obeyed his father and brought supplies to his brothers.

Read 1 Samuel 17:22–26, looking for what happened when David arrived at the Israelite camp.

How was David’s reaction to Goliath’s challenge different from the reaction of the Israelite soldiers?

King Saul’s Reaction to David

We read in 1 Samuel 17:27–31 that David’s oldest brother, Eliab, was angry and questioned David’s intentions when he heard how David reacted to Goliath’s challenge. Despite his brother’s anger, David continued to tell the Israelites that they should not be afraid of Goliath. Some of the soldiers told King Saul what David said, and the king asked to see him.

Read 1 Samuel 17:32–33, looking for what happened when David was brought before King Saul.

How might Saul’s response to David in verse 33 be similar to what we sometimes feel when we face challenges?

The Reason for David’s Faith

In response to King Saul’s discouragement, David explained in 1 Samuel 17:34–36 that he had killed both a lion and a bear to protect his father’s flock of sheep.

Read verse 37, looking for why David believed he could defeat Goliath.

What can we learn from David’s example that can help us with our present challenges?

The Lord’s Help

From David’s example in 1 Samuel 17:34–37, we can learn that remembering how the Lord has helped us in the past will strengthen our faith to endure or overcome our present challenges.

1. Answer one of the following questions:

• Why will remembering how the Lord has helped us in the past help us with our present challenges?

• When has remembering the Lord’s help in the past helped you face or overcome a challenge?

David’s Preparation for Battle

Think about some challenges you are currently facing. Are there experiences from your past that can help you act in faith now?

Read 1 Samuel 17:38–40, looking for what King Saul did and what David himself did to prepare David for battle against Goliath.

How was the way David prepared for battle different from how others wanted him to prepare?

What Goliath Thought of David

Imagine being near the valley of Elah and watching as David walked out and stood before Goliath. What would you think about the Israelite who volunteered to fight Goliath?

Read 1 Samuel 17:41–44, looking for phrases that show what Goliath thought of David. The word staves in verse 43 refers to staffs or poles.

David’s Response

Read 1 Samuel 17:45–47, looking for how David responded to Goliath.

According to verse 47, what did David say the assembly would know after he defeated Goliath?

What impresses you about David’s faith in the Lord?

David’s Battle with Goliath

Read 1 Samuel 17:48–51, looking for what happened to Goliath.

How did David exercise his faith in the Lord and receive His help?

What principles can we learn from David’s example and experience?

Our Faith and the Lord’s Help

From the account of David slaying Goliath, we can learn that as we exercise faith in the Lord, He will help us with our challenges.

Read this statement from True to the Faith, looking for what faith is:

“Faith is much more than passive belief. You express your faith through action—by the way you live. …

“… Your faith can lead you to do good works, obey the commandments, and repent of your sins” (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference [2004], 54, 55).

2. Do one of the following activities:

• Choose one of the following scenarios, and explain how someone with this challenge could exercise faith in the Lord to receive His help.

  1. A young man’s parents decide to get a divorce.

  2. A young woman is struggling to overcome some addictions.

  3. A young woman knows she needs to forgive someone who caused her harm.

  4. A young man has health problems that limit the activities he can participate in.

• Share an experience you have had when you exercised faith in the Lord and received His help with a challenge. How did that experience strengthen your faith in the Lord and help you love and trust in Him more?

The Defeat of the Philistines

We read in 1 Samuel 17:52–58 that after David defeated Goliath, the Philistine army fled. The army of the Israelites chased after them.

David took Goliath’s head to Jerusalem. King Saul marveled at David’s bravery.

The Lord’s Help with Challenges

The following principles were identified in this lesson:

• Remembering how the Lord has helped us in the past will strengthen our faith to endure or overcome our present challenges.

• As we exercise faith in the Lord, He will help us with our challenges.

3. How will you use one or both of these principles to help you with a challenge you are currently facing?

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) a; (2) b; (3) c