📎 Presentation: David 1 – The Shepherd and the Anointing
Source: View original Google Doc Converted: 2026-04-22
Part 1: David Anointed (1 Samuel 16)
The Rejection of Saul
God told Samuel: “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?” (1 Sam 16:1). Saul had disobeyed God by keeping the Amalekite plunder (1 Sam 15) and had lost the Spirit of God.
Samuel’s Mission to Bethlehem
God sent Samuel to Jesse the Bethlehemite. Jesse presented his sons one by one. Seven sons passed before Samuel — and God rejected each.
“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7
The Eighth Son
David was not even called — he was out keeping the sheep, considered unworthy of invitation to the sacrifice. Yet:
“And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.’” — 1 Samuel 16:11
David was anointed in the presence of his brothers — the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him from that day forward (1 Sam 16:13).
Typology: David as Type of Christ
| David | Christ |
|---|---|
| Anointed as king while a shepherd | Anointed by the Spirit at baptism while serving the lost sheep of Israel |
| Rejected by his brothers at first | ”His own people did not receive him” (John 1:11) |
| The youngest, least expected | ”Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46) |
| The Spirit rushed upon him | ”The Spirit descended on him like a dove” (Matt 3:16) |
Part 2: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
The Setting
The Philistines camped against Israel. Goliath of Gath — a champion standing “six cubits and a span” (approximately 9.5 feet tall) — issued his daily challenge for forty days. No Israelite dared answer.
“When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” — 1 Samuel 17:11
David’s Arrival
David came to the battlefield to bring food to his brothers. He heard Goliath’s challenge — and asked, with astonishment:
“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” — 1 Samuel 17:26
His eldest brother Eliab scorned him: “I know your presumption and the evil of your heart.” But David’s indignation was holy — it was for the honor of God’s name.
David Before Saul
David volunteered to fight Goliath. Saul doubted:
“You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” — 1 Samuel 17:33
David’s answer: “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
The Five Smooth Stones
David chose five smooth stones from the brook. Various patristic interpretations:
| Stone | Spiritual Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 1st stone | Faith |
| 2nd stone | Prayer |
| 3rd stone | Fasting |
| 4th stone | The Word of God (Scripture) |
| 5th stone | The Eucharist / communion with God |
David took Goliath with the first stone — because faith is sufficient when it is full.
The Victory
“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” — 1 Samuel 17:45
David ran toward Goliath — not away. He slung the stone and it struck Goliath in the forehead. Then David took Goliath’s own sword and cut off his head.
Typology Table: David vs. Goliath
| David and Goliath | Christ and the Devil |
|---|---|
| Goliath defied Israel for 40 days | Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days in the wilderness |
| David went out alone to face Goliath | Christ alone faced death and the devil |
| David killed Goliath with his own sword | Christ defeated death by dying — using death against itself |
| The army then pursued the fleeing Philistines | The Church advances after Christ’s victory |
Patristic Commentary
“David was a type of Christ in many ways: he was a shepherd before he was a king, as Christ was a pastor before he was a judge.” — St. Augustine
“David’s courage against Goliath was not the courage of youth but the courage of faith. He did not see the giant’s size — he saw the living God.” — St. John Chrysostom
“The five stones represent the five senses disciplined by virtue. One who has mastered himself needs only one stone — faith — to conquer any enemy.” — St. Gregory of Nyssa
Spiritual Application
- God sees the heart, not the appearance — What is God seeing in your heart right now that others cannot see?
- The anointing often comes before the battle — David was anointed years before he became king. What are you being prepared for?
- Name your Goliath — What enemy defies you daily? What keeps you paralyzed with fear?
- Run toward it — David ran toward Goliath. Spiritual victory requires movement, not waiting.
- “I come in the name of the LORD” — The battle is not yours. It is the Lord’s (1 Sam 17:47).