The Cost of Courage
1 Samuel 17
Intro: I first preached this message before any of you students were born. It was probably twenty-two years ago when God gave me this very simple but profound message. The first time I preached this message, I was on furlough as a missionary in South Africa. I preached this message at a camp meeting in Taylors, South Carolina at the Pleasant View Baptist Church. Little did I know that just three years later, I would be the pastor of that church.
This is my favorite story in the Old Testament, by far. I have preached out of this chapter so many times. Yet this particular message seems to capture the essence of why this story means so much to me. In this story, David sets an example of true courage. His courage and bravery inspired me as a boy, and it still inspires me today.
Being courageous comes with a price.
The truth is, most people are not willing to pay the price the comes with having courage.
The 1828 Dictionary defines COURAGE as:
COURAGE, noun Latin, the heart. Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.
I will be very honest with you. Courage is rare in adults. It is even more rare in children.
I have preached this fact many times, but I am ashamed of how many pastors lack courage.
So many of them choose the easy path – the path without opposition and difficulties.
I have been preaching out of Luke 14 about counting the cost to have a Christian Family.
This concept of counting the cost applies to many other aspects of life.
Being courageous and doing the right thing is one of those times.
Most people count the cost, and the price tag is just too high.
They want to be courageous, but it is just going to cost them far more than they are willing to pay.
There are several things that will happen (more than likely) when you decide to be courageous.
And make no mistake – it is a decision.
Most people are cowards on purpose; and most people are courageous on purpose.
I. You will be Misunderstood
· 1 Samuel 17:28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
One of the things that I have noticed about this story is this – the ones that knew him the best got it wrong the worst.
His oldest brother was adamant; he was assured that he knew what was motivating David.
· 28 I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart
Nowhere prior to this chapter do we find any indication that David had a testimony of pride.
In fact, if anybody struggled with pride, it would be Eliab.
Notice chapter 16:5-7.
· 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
· 6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.
· 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Eliab was the one that was impressive in his looks and in his stature.
David was so insignificant that they didn’t even bother to bring him to the meeting with Samuel.
And how could David be guilty of “naughtiness of heart” according to verse 7?
God looked on David’s heart and chose him to be king.
And what about 1 Samuel 13:14?
· 1 Samuel 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
YET - But Eliab KNEW that David was full of pride.
YET - Eliab KNEW that David’s heart was full of naughtiness.
Guess what? He was dead wrong about David.
As it turns out, he didn’t know him at all.
Eliab never lifted a finger to fight the Philistines, but he led the fight against David, his own brother.
You’ll find in your life that people would rather fight you than the actual enemy.
NOTE: Abraham taught his servant to fight, and they rescued Lot from the kings that had kidnapped him. (Gen. 14:14)
Lot didn’t teach his servants to fight.
Well, actually he did. They fought against Abraham and his servants.
· Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
II. You will be a Misfit
1 Samuel 17
· 38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
· 39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
People that have courage are different. And they are rare.
· 10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
· 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
· 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
People with courage think differently; they respond differently.
You will find yourself surrounded by people that are not bothered by what bothers you.
People with courage are interested in things that others are not interested in.
· 1 Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine,
The other soldiers knew exactly what the king would give to the person that fought Goliath.
But the others were not interested in that.
· 25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.
People with courage are motivated by things that others are not motivated by.
· 1 Samuel 17:26 …and taketh away the reproach from Israel?
People with courage are embarrassed by things that do not embarrass other people.
· 26 …for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
People with courage see everything differently.
They talk differently. They act differently. They think differently.
David is the only one there talking about “the cause.”
In fact, he can’t believe that he’s the only one talking about it.
Look at verse 29, 30.
· 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
· 30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
He couldn’t understand why nobody was doing anything.
And he was so rare – such a misfit, that they told the king what he was saying.
· 1 Samuel 17:31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
A person with courage will say things that make headlines.
A person with courage will say things that rocks the boat.
A person with courage will say and do things that people find absolutely astounding.
Imagine the king sending for this boy!
The Bible says they “rehearsed” them before the king.
That means they went and reported and repeated what he said. To the king!!
And the king was so moved by it that he sent for David.
He had not heard anybody talking like that for forty days.
III. You will be Mistreated
The way that David was treated after this victory is mind-blowing.
He had just saved the entire nation of Israel from being enslaved by the Philistines.
They had just won their war for independence.
He had single-handedly killed the champion.
What was Saul’s reaction?
1. He acted like he didn’t know him. – 17:55-58
But Saul DID know who David was.
And he knew who is father was.
SEE 16:17-23
· 17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
· 18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
· 19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
· 20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
· 21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
· 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
· 23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
David had already established a relationship with Saul.
He had been brought in and stood before Saul – vs. 21
He loved Saul greatly and became Saul’s armorbearer.
Saul had already had a conversation with Saul and asked if David could stay with him. – vs. 22
David played the harp for Saul and Saul was refreshed. – vs. 23
Now that David has fought the battle that Saul should have fought, and won, Saul acted like he didn’t know him.
But that is not all.
2. Saul got angry and jealous of David.
1 Samuel 18
· 7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
· 8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
3. He got suspicious of him for all the attention he was getting.
· 1 Samuel 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
4. He actually tried to kill David – twice!
1 Samuel 18
· 10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.
· 11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
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