I Samuel 17 is not primarily the story of the victory of a young man. David and Goliath are not the main actors in this story. The main protagonist is God who fights the battle and gives the victory. I Samuel 17, the story of David and Goliath is really the story of the Lord who defeats his enemies through a young man. It is the story of God working through someone who unequivocally trusts Him, the God of Israel. That is what the story in I Samuel 17 is really all about.
I. God provides and prepares every situation v18 (God is Sovereign)
Opportunities 16:23 17
Struggles 17:11- we are the Israelites
Dismayed-shattered
Afraid- fully understand (rightfully so)
Fled- retreat
II. God honors our faith (God is a rewarder)
a. Proper understanding of God leads to proper action v26
b. Proper understanding does not ALWAYS mean proper reception (v28;Rom 8:28)
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Hebrews 11:39 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/heb.11.39.KJV
c. Proper understanding of the past makes better perspective of the present
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
1 Samuel 17:36-37 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.17.36-37.KJV
III. God is our Protector, Savior and Vindicator
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
1 Samuel 17:45 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.17.45.KJV
This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.
1 Samuel 17:46-47 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.17.46-47.KJV