Saul and David - Decisions Determine Destiny

1 Samuel 8-10, 13, 15-18

CHRIST IS MY KING - 

God wants an increased relationship with him - Through years of studying the blessings promised to Israel, I came to the understanding that the first and foremost aspect of the covenant, the concept on which everything hinged and from which everything flowed, was that GOD WANTED AN INCREASED RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS CHILDREN. This was both the purpose behind the covenant, the primary obligation of the covenant, and the most powerful blessing that flowed from it.

GOD CALLS PEOPLE BY PROPHECY TO SERVE IN HIS KINGDOM

TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

Saul offering sacrifice - no authority, not obeying commandments, blames others for his sin

Didn't obey in battle with Amalekites, "people" spared the best 

1 Samuel 15:17 "When thou wast little in thine own sight"

Student Manual "Circumstances may be critical, but one of the purposes of mortality is to demonstrate that one will remain faithful and obedient UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES 

D&C 98:14-15 - 

14) Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy. 15) For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me.

THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART

Principle - 1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord doesn't judge on outward appearances but the heart, so should we

WITH THE HELP OF THE LORD, I CAN OVERCOME ANY CHALLENGE - 

Principle - 1 Samuel 17:25 - There are great rewards from our Heavenly King for defeating our Goliaths

Principle - 1 Samuel 17:26 - If we are motivated by true motives and our love for God, we will be more likely to have the strength to face our Goliaths

Principle - 1 Samuel 17:28 - Don't listen to the Skeptics or let them cause you to give up

Principle - 1 Samuel 17:29 - D&C 128:22 Have a CAUSE worth fighting for

Principle - 1 Samuel 17:32-37 Earlier Smaller decisions and experiences provide the strength needed for future larger battles

Principle - 1 Samuel 17:40 God Provides us with small and simple weapons that truly have the power to defeat Goliaths

A soldier went before Goliath bearing his shield - Don't trust anyone else to carry your shield of Faith! 

Unshaken 2:57

Why would I fight my enemy with my enemies weapons? Don't lower yourself to their level

All they have is the armor of the flesh. Don't settle for flesh. Don't take off the armor of God

David showed NO FEAR - Ran towards Goliath

1 Samuel 17:45 I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts - GospelDoctrine.com

 

Dallin H. Oaks

David’s reply is one of the great expressions of faith and courage in all our literature. It thrilled me as a boy, and it still thrills me. (quotes 1 Sam. 17:45–47.)

 

You all know what happened next. David stunned the Philistine with a sling-stone and cut off his head with his own sword. Frightened by the fall of their champion, the Philistines fled. Shouting in triumph, the armies of Israel pursued them and won a great victory.

 

Countless young people have been inspired by this marvelous instruction in righteousness. At times all of us must stand against those who mock and revile. Some of us, sometime, will face some earthly power as mighty as Goliath. When that happens, we should emulate the courage of David, who was mighty because he had faith and he went forth in a righteous cause in the name of the Lord of Hosts. (“Bible Stories and Personal Protection,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 38)

Principle - 1 Samuel 17:45-51 - Trust in the Lord. With God on your side, you can't lose, no matter how big or intimidating the problem

1 Samuel 17:52 - Defeating your Goliaths can provide strength and courage to other to face their own

Unshaken 3:11 - Keep your distance

What did it take for the Israelites to go from fear to faith? The faith of a little boy

GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE - By Everfound

Just a boy with a sling and a stone,
But the heart of a lion dared him to go.
To hear the sound of the cynical,
Die out with the sound of the giant's fall.

Ohhh, oh ohh!
I dare to believe in incredible things.
Ohhh, oh ohh!
I'm ready to go, I'm ready to gooo-oh!

Here I am! Lord send me!
I won't look back, cause I was made
To be a part, of the, imposs-ible!
You're God, of the, imposs-ible!

Here I am! Lord send me!
I won't back down, cause I believe
You are the God, of the, imposs-ible!
Here, I, am, send me!

Malcolm Gladwell - Underdogs vs. Giant competitors

First, David's sling is a devastating weapon. It's one of the most feared weapons in the ancient world. The stone that comes from his sling has the stopping power equivalent to a bullet from a .45 caliber pistol. It's a serious weapon. And second, there are many medical experts who believe that Goliath was suffering from acromegaly, which causes you to grow. Many giants have acromegaly, but it has a side effect which is, it causes restrictive sight. Goliath in the biblical story does, if you look closely, sound like a guy who can't see.

So here we have a big, lumbering guy weighed down with armor, who can't see much more than a few feet in front of his face, up against a kid running at him with a devastating weapon and a rock traveling with the stopping power of a .45 caliber handgun. That's not a story of an underdog and a favorite. David has a ton of advantages in that battle, they're just not obvious. We need to do a better job of looking at what an advantage is.

"I Believe Because I Remember"

I loved this testimony shared by Brandon Flowers on Instagram via Bro Brad Wilcox -

Brandon Flowers, front man of the rock band The Killers, has long been open about his faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In January 2021, he spoke about the spiritual meaning behind some of his lyrics and shared how he gained his testimony of the Book of Mormon. In 2012, he defended his faith publicly when a well-known atheist began denouncing Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. And in 2011, he was part of the “I’m a Mormon” campaign.

Recently, Flowers shared his testimony once again—this time with Church leadership. In a post on Instagram, Brother Brad Wilcox, second counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, posted a photo of Flowers and the Young Men General Presidency. In the post, Brother Wilcox explained that he asked Flowers why he believes in the gospel. Flowers responded with the following:

“I choose to believe because I have felt the Holy Ghost more times than I can remember, certainly more times than I deserve. I believe not because l’ve seen pillars of fire or pillars of light but because my bosom has burned as if by fire, and my path has been illuminated as if by light. I believe because every commandment I keep improves my life. And I believe because I remember.”

Brother Wilcox said Flowers went on to explain that all can gain their own testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“One of my favorite things about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is its open invitation for all to come and gain a testimony for yourself. You don’t have to believe just because your parents did. There is confidence enough in the gospel to encourage anyone and everyone to put it to the test. That’s what I did, and that’s why I choose to believe,” he said.

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The song "Fire in Bone" on the Killers' Imploding the Mirage album is talking about testimony!