David’s Passage to Manhood

I. DAVID’S YOUTH

A. David’s Age

1. Although David’s age cannot be known for sure, we can make some estimations based upon scriptural insights.
2. David was the youngest of eight sons (1 Samuel 17:12).
3. David’s three eldest brothers followed Saul to battle (1 Samuel 17:13).
a. This likely indicates that the three eldest brothers were twenty years old and upward (Numbers 1:3).
b. This also suggests that the five youngest sons were under the age of twenty.
4. This likely makes David a teenager and he could be as old as 15-17 years old.

B. David’s Adventures

1. David had been the keeper of his father’s sheep (1 Samuel 16:11).
2. David had learned of the Lord’s will for His life (1 Samuel 16:1-13).
3. Although some suspect these events took place after David’s defeat of Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:15 seems to suggest otherwise.
a. David learned to play the harp and used it to minister to others (1 Samuel 16:14-23).
b. David had developed a reputation (1 Samuel 16:18).

II. DAVID’S MATURATION

A. The Battle Scene (1 Samuel 17:1-11)

1. The threat of the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:1)
2. The preparations of the Israelites (1 Samuel 17:2)
3. The champion of the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:3-7)
4. The battle plan of the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:8-10)
5. The dismay of Israel (1 Samuel 17:11)

B. The Preparations for David (1 Samuel 17:12-18)

1. His obligations before Saul (1 Samuel 17:15)
2. His obligations before his father (1 Samuel 17:15)
3. His obedience to his father (1 Samuel 17:17-22)

C. The Crossroads of David’s Life (1 Samuel 17:23-51)

1. David’s opportunity (1 Samuel 17:23-27)
2. David’s conviction (1 Samuel 17:28-30)
3. David’s reflection (1 Samuel 17:31-37)
4. David’s independence (1 Samuel 17:38-39)
5. David’s confidence (1 Samuel 17:40-47)
6. David’s victory (1 Samuel 17:48-51)