Lions, bears and giants sounds like a list of professional football teams, but it has a special significance in 1 Samuel 17:36-37, "'Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.' Moreover David said, 'The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.'"

The major players on the field are Goliath, Saul, and David. Let's learn some lessons from each one.

The defiant one became the defeated one because of foolishness (1 Samuel 17:4-10, 50-51). The Philistine champion named Goliath of Gath, was quite an imposing figure, and he was a defiant giant. Dressed in his armor he would be intimidating. He issues a challenge to Israel. He said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day" (1 Samuel 17:10). The root of his foolishness is discovered in 1 Samuel 17:43, where we read about "his gods." "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" ("for me" is implied) (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). Proverbs 16:18 reads, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall." Goliath had a depraved heart.

The derelict one became the dejected one because of fear (1 Samuel 17:11, 24-25; 18:8-9). Saul is the derelict king who operated based on fear when he faced the formidable foes known as the Philistines. When a person is derelict, they are "shamefully negligent in not having done what one should have done." The Bible tells us he was "dismayed and greatly afraid" (1 Samuel 17:11) and his feelings spread to others who became "dreadfully afraid" (1 Samuel 17:24). This pattern of behavior began when Saul clearly disobeyed God in sparing Agag (1 Samuel 15:22-31). Saul confessed to Samuel, "I feared the people" (1 Samuel 15:24). Later he became "angry" and "displeased" fearing he would lose his throne (1 Samuel 18:8-9) to a young war hero. Saul had a defiled heart.

The dependent one became the decorated one because of faith (1 Samuel 17:12-23, 26-58). David is the dependent shepherd boy who demonstrated faith. Romans 10:17 reads, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." David's perspective is different because of his faith in God. He remembers God's deliverances in the past (1 Samuel 17:36-37). He understands there is a cause for him to come forward (1 Samuel 17:29). He plainly tells Goliath that he is coming "in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45). David was victorious over Goliath, and he received recognition as a war hero. David had a devoted heart.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.