Congregation Bible Study (30 mins.) lfb lessons 40, 41.
Analysis of Lesson 40: David and Goliath
Who did Jehovah choose to be the next king of Israel?
Jehovah chose David, Jesse’s youngest son, to be the next king of Israel. When Jesse presented six of his sons to Samuel, Samuel said that Jehovah had not chosen any of them and asked if he had any more sons. Jesse replied that his youngest son, David, was still tending the sheep. When David came in, Jehovah told Samuel, “This is the one!” Then Samuel anointed him by pouring oil on his head to be the next king of Israel.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah chose David, Jesse’s youngest son. At first glance, David didn’t seem like the ideal candidate: he was young, short, and spent his days tending sheep, a job many considered unimportant. An outsider might have thought, “This young man doesn’t look like a king.” But Jehovah didn’t focus on his appearance or his family position. He saw something no one else did: a sincere, loyal, obedient, and courageous heart. While others might have chosen the strongest or the most impressive, Jehovah chose the one with the right spiritual qualities.
We can imagine Samuel's surprise when Jehovah showed him that he should choose not the eldest son or any of the other brothers, but this young shepherd, perhaps still smelling of sheep and with hands calloused from work. Despite his humble appearance, he would be the next king. Jehovah confirmed to Samuel that David was the chosen one, and Samuel anointed him as the future king of Israel.
From a human standpoint, David’s choice might have seemed illogical, but spiritually it was sound, because Jehovah looks at the heart, not outward appearances. This reminds us that even if we sometimes feel inadequate or “good enough,” if we cultivate a heart that pleases Jehovah, he will see in us a value that others may overlook.
How did David defeat Goliath?
David defeated Goliath using his sling after going to the army camp to bring food to his brothers, who were soldiers, and hearing Goliath shout, “Send a man to fight me!” Then David said, “I will fight him!” Although Saul told him he was only a boy, David replied, “The Lord will help me.”
David took his sling, chose five smooth stones, put one in his sling, ran toward Goliath, and hurled it with force. With the help of the Lord, the stone sank into Goliath's forehead and knocked him down.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
David defeated Goliath because he trusted not in human weapons or his own strength, but in Jehovah. From the beginning, his perspective was different from everyone else's. While the others saw only an unbeatable giant, David saw a man who had dared to challenge the true God.
When Saul tried to put his armor on him, David refused it. Not because he despised the help, but because he knew that his safety did not depend on weapons of war, but on the protection of Jehovah.
David chose to use what he knew: a simple sling and five smooth stones. Humanly speaking, it seemed absurd: a boy with a sling facing a huge, armed, and experienced warrior. But the key wasn't David's aim; it was that Jehovah directed the outcome. The stone struck the Philistine squarely in the forehead and knocked him down. David entered the battle convinced that Jehovah was with him, and Jehovah gave him the victory.
What does this account teach us about Jehovah?
This account teaches us that Jehovah sees the heart and not just outward appearance. It also shows us that he can use humble people to accomplish great things. Furthermore, we learn that Jehovah is more powerful than any enemy, no matter how large or strong he may seem, and that he helps and strengthens those who trust in him completely.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This story teaches us that we don't need to be the strongest or most capable to face our difficulties. Sometimes we feel like David: small in the face of enormous problems, without resources, without titles, or without power. But if we trust in Jehovah, use what we do have, and take the step in faith, he can transform what seems small into something powerful.
It shows us that Jehovah looks at the heart with extraordinary tenderness. While others focused on stature, strength, or experience, Jehovah saw David’s faith, loyalty, and humility. For him, it didn’t matter if David had an impressive appearance or a war record; what was truly valuable was what was on the inside.
It teaches us that Jehovah is still like that with us today. He doesn't care whether we are young or old, knowledgeable or not, or shy or outgoing. Someone might feel insecure because they don't speak up much, because they feel they don't have many skills, or because they think they aren't as capable as other brothers and sisters. But Jehovah doesn't make those comparisons.
It teaches us that Jehovah pays attention to how sincerely we love him, how much we want to do what is right, and how hard we try to obey him, even when no one is watching. How comforting it is to know that Jehovah is a wise and loving Father who always looks beyond appearances.
It reminds us that we don't need to impress anyone; what truly matters is who we are in Jehovah's eyes. This awakens in us the desire to continue cultivating a heart like David's: a heart that trusts, obeys, repents when it fails, and always seeks to please Jehovah.
When we remember that Jehovah is more powerful than any enemy, no matter how big or strong he may seem, we feel more courageous to face any challenge, confident that, if Jehovah is with us, we are not alone in the face of our giants.
What practical lessons can we learn?
We learn that we should not judge by appearances; we should see people as Jehovah sees them. No matter how small or great a person may seem, true strength comes from Jehovah.
This account shows us that if we trust in Jehovah, we can face problems that seem as big as a “Goliath,” and with his help, we can emerge victorious. With God’s help, even someone considered small or inexperienced can accomplish great things.
From this account we learn that faith and courage based on Jehovah are stronger than any weapon or threat, no matter how formidable it may seem. Jehovah deserves our trust in difficult situations.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
One practical lesson is that it doesn't matter if others consider us small or unimportant; Jehovah can use us in extraordinary ways if we trust in him. David was the youngest in his family, he tended sheep, and he had no position or fame, but he possessed something that Jehovah deeply values: a heart full of faith.
In daily life, this can be applied to many situations. Perhaps a young person feels inferior because his peers underestimate him, or a brother thinks that his assignment in the congregation is small compared to others. However, this account shows us that Jehovah is not swayed by such human standards. For him, what matters is not how grand our actions may seem, but the spirit in which we do them.
We learn not to compare ourselves with others or to become discouraged if we feel we are not doing enough. Rather, this account prompts us to ask ourselves, “Am I doing the best I can with what Jehovah has given me?” What truly matters is nurturing our relationship with Jehovah, maintaining obedience, and strengthening our trust in him.
We learn that Jehovah can give us the courage to face our own Goliaths: family problems, pressures at school or work, persistent temptations, deep-seated fears, or insecurities that make us feel inadequate. Like David, we may feel small, but if we trust in Jehovah, he can transform our apparent weakness into a great spiritual victory.
Analysis of Lesson 40: David and Saul
Why did Saul want to kill David?
Saul wanted to kill David because he was envious of him. David won many battles, was very famous, and people sang that he had defeated “tens of thousands,” while Saul had only defeated “thousands.” This comparison stirred Saul’s jealousy, and from then on he tried to kill him several times.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The main reason Saul wanted to kill David was that he allowed envy and jealousy to take root in his heart. At first, Saul admired David, but when he heard the women singing that David had defeated tens of thousands, he felt threatened. It was as if he thought, “People admire David more than me, and he could take my place.” Instead of rejecting that thought, it lingered in his mind and eventually took hold in his heart.
Saul came to fear losing his fame, his power, and even his throne. Instead of rejoicing that Jehovah was using David and seeing him as an ally, he began to regard him as an enemy. This envy gradually grew, turning first into resentment and then into hatred, until it led him to try to kill David on several occasions.
This shows us how dangerous it is not to stop jealousy and envy in time. A seemingly small thought—"Why are they congratulating him more than me?"—can grow and become something very harmful if we nurture it.
Saul's attitude serves as a loving warning. If we don't guard our hearts, we can end up doing things we never thought we were capable of.
Why didn't David want to kill Saul?
David did not want to kill Saul because he respected Jehovah's anointed king. Although he had several opportunities to do so, such as when Saul was sleeping in the cave or lying down in his camp, David refused because he knew that it was Jehovah who would decide when Saul's reign would end. David trusted that Jehovah would deal with Saul at the appropriate time.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The main reason David did not want to kill Saul was that he had a deep respect for Jehovah and wanted to respect his decisions. For David, Saul was not just a king, but Jehovah's anointed. That meant that even though Saul was behaving wrongly, Jehovah had allowed him to occupy that position.
David had clear opportunities to take Saul's life and thus end his troubles, but he understood that doing so was not his decision, but a matter that belonged solely to Jehovah. It is touching to see how sensitive his conscience was, for he even felt bad about cutting off a piece of Saul's clothing, something that to many would have seemed insignificant.
David's refusal to kill Saul demonstrates the level of respect he had, not only for Saul himself, but also for the authority Jehovah had established. David preferred to endure persecution and live in hiding rather than take justice into his own hands and displease Jehovah. This attitude reveals a deeply loyal and obedient heart.
What does this account teach us about Jehovah?
It teaches us that Jehovah observes the conduct and attitude of the heart, not just outward actions. Jehovah is the one who appoints and removes kings, and no one can take his place by force.
From this account we learn that Jehovah protects those who are loyal, just as he protected David from Saul's attempts to kill him. Jehovah acts justly and at the right time.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We learn that Jehovah is deeply pleased with those who respect his will, even when they could find reasons to do otherwise. David had two clear opportunities to take Saul's life, but he chose not to because he wanted to honor the authority Jehovah had established and leave justice entirely in his hands.
It teaches us that Jehovah deeply values self-control, obedience, and the love of peace. He observes not only our actions but also the motivations behind them.
It teaches us that, although we may sometimes feel that it is right to respond in kind when someone hurts us, Jehovah rejoices when we choose the more difficult path: that of patience, forgiveness, respect for his organization, and leaving justice in his hands.
Seeing how Jehovah blessed David teaches us that following Jehovah's lead brings us blessings. For a time, it may seem that those who do wrong prosper, but Jehovah sees everything and acts at the perfect time.
What practical lessons can we learn?
The lesson we learn is that we must not let ourselves be driven by envy, because it can make us act unjustly, like Saul. We must respect authority, even when it is not perfect, just as David respected King Saul.
We can learn that we should trust Jehovah to resolve difficult problems, without taking revenge ourselves. Patience and loyalty are qualities that Jehovah values, as David demonstrated.
We learn that when we have the opportunity to do something wrong to “get revenge,” we must remember that Jehovah sees and rewards right decisions and that he will take action at the right time.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We learn how dangerous it is to allow jealousy and resentment to fester in our hearts. If we don't stop them in time, we can end up thinking badly of a brother or sister, seeing them as competition, and even hurting them with words, gossip, or cold attitudes. Without realizing it, we could distance ourselves from people Jehovah is using and lose our inner peace.
We learn to value David’s example. He shows that it is possible to keep a clean heart even when others treat us unfairly. Instead of trying to take justice into our own hands, we can imitate his attitude: respect Jehovah’s organization, remain calm, continue doing what is right, and leave final judgment in God’s hands.
We learn to rejoice in the accomplishments of others. When we see a brother or sister whom Jehovah is using in a special way, instead of comparing ourselves, we can rejoice and think: “How wonderful that Jehovah is using him or her.” This way of thinking protects our heart and keeps us close to Jehovah.
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