by Jen | Apr 14, 2026 | 1 Samuel 17, David and Goliath, DISO studies
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Hello again: thanks for joining me here! This week, the Spirit worked with me to focus on three key repeated concepts, a handful of special statements, and three lists. Let’s look at them now.
Last Week’s Work
REPETITION
The first repeated concept I noticed was the conflict between Israel and the Philistines. It’s the backdrop of all the action involving David and his brothers. I discovered four synonyms: fighting (v19), battle (vv20-21, 47-48), war (vv20, 33), and fight (vv32-33). I didn’t learn how the conflict began, but the Spirit pointed out David talked to King Saul about his plan to fight Goliath, and Saul quickly tried to dissuade him (vv32-33)… but Saul changed his mind when David asserted that the LORD would deliver him (v37).
Next, the word host got my attention. In vv20 and 46 it seems to refer first to Israel’s army (v20), and then the Philistine army. The author also used army/armies (v21/vv26, 36), and ranks (vv22-23) to denote these two fighting forces. In addition, David invoked the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel in v45. This verse led me to the connection between army and host, and made me wonder if one of those armies of Israel is heavenly? I’m not sure I’ll be able to confirm that, but I’m sure it will be interesting to dig into!
Finally, I saw some repetition with deliver/delivered (vv35, 37, 46). As I considered those verbs, the Spirit helped me see that God, in His goodness, chose a boy making a delivery for his earthly father to be the conduit through which our Heavenly Father delivered his sons, Israel, from the Philistines. That gave me goosebumps!!
SPECIAL STATEMENTS
I noted four promises:
- Goliath’s “promise” to Israel’s army: If [your warrior] is able to fight … and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if [he dies], then you shall be our servants…” (v9).
- King Saul’s three promises to Goliath’s killer:
(1) great riches,
(2) [the king’s] daughter [in marriage], and
(3) [the champion’s] father’s house would be free (v25).
- David’s promise to King Saul:
(1) [I] will go and fight with this Philistine (v32),
(2) … this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of [the predators I’ve struck down] (v36),
(3) The LORD … will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (v37).
- David’s “promise” to Goliath:
(1) This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand,
(2) I will strike you down and cut off your head,
(3) I will give the [Philistine army’s] dead bodies … this day to the birds … and … beasts of the earth (v46).
NOTE: vv9 and 46 could probably also be considered warnings.
LISTS
In addition to the enumerated lists under the last three promises above, the Spirit showed me David’s battle equipment (v40):
(1) his staff,
(2) five stones, and
(3) his sling.
These present an interesting contrast (more on that next week) to Goliath’s arms (v45):
(1) a sword,
(2) a spear, and
(3) a javelin.
Dig-In Challenges
This week, let’s wrap up Step 3 by:
- PRAYING the prayer we wrote for Step 1.
- MINING comparisons by reading through the passage again looking for certain statements in or related to your focus verses. These may be statements of similarity featuring key words such as like, as, so, is, are, or of; qualitative comparisons indicating how one item is more or less than another; and/or contrasts that highlight or discuss how one concept differs from another.
- MINING: Next, look for causes or motives by focusing on key words or phrases I call cause connectors. In the ESV translation of this study text, look for the connectors because, for (meaning because), that (meaning so that), and to (meaning in order to). Then check the text surrounding the connector for an action and the reason or explanation for that action. For example: in the sentence,
I went to the store, for I was out of milk:
the action = I went to the store for [because] the reason = I was out of milk.
NOTE: the words for, to, and that don’t always connect actions and reasons. To determine if they do here, read the sentences containing them while substituting the word because in place of for, or the phrases in order to (in place of to) and so that (in place of that). If the sentence(s) created from this exercise make(s) sense and mean(s) the same as the original, look for the action statement before the for, to, or that and the stated reason after the for, to, or that.
- MINING: Finally, see if you can find any conditions for action in this narrative, and/or descriptions of how action happens or should happen.
– For example, does the text say if or when a certain condition exists, some action takes place?
And/or
– Does the author describe a method or process (for example, specific steps) taken to achieve something?
Or
– Does he indicate how action is accomplished more generally by or through attributes or actions (e.g., saved by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8))?
Finally,
– Does the text include any adverbs (typically words ending in –ly) that describe how action happens?
These exercises are a bit more involved, but I’m confident you can do this with the Holy Spirit! Don’t forget to check your How to Dig Into Scripture Ourselves guide, and you can always reach out to me at [email protected] if you have questions.
GO TO WEEK 5 >
by Jen | Apr 7, 2026 | 1 Samuel 17, David and Goliath, DISO studies
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
He is RISEN, my friend! I still remember when I realized the miracle of Jesus Christ was not that He willingly died a gruesome death He himself didn’t deserve. After all, I’d known many other deceased people who, in my estimation, also hadn’t deserved to die. No, the miracle was that His body, so brutalized by Roman torture and crucifixion that it could not sustain life, spontaneously came alive again without human intervention!
I believe every real Christian experiences something like that when they are “born again.” It’s certainly my story. There was no life left in me when I reached for that revolver. Then the room lit up; I heard Psalm 23:4 and felt a supernatural comfort I still can’t fully describe or explain. I can’t help but wonder if that’s how Jesus would have described what happened to him that first Resurrection Sunday. Every day we’re one day closer to being able to ask Him, aren’t we?
In the meantime, this week I felt the Spirit drawing me to study multiple verses based on an intriguing change in description. In v. 21, Israel is identified as (one) army facing the Philistines, but in v. 36, David declares that Goliath had defied the armies of the living God. The Philistine had certainly insulted Israel’s fighters, but what other army(ies) did David mean? And then in v45, David described YHWH as the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whose name alone was powerful enough to defeat the Philistines.
This week, I began my observation of the text by focusing on the characters, locations, and timeframes I noticed in this passage.
Last Week’s Work
WHO (CHARACTERS)
My review focused on four key players in this scenario:
- the LORD, whom David predicts will deliver him from Goliath. I noticed LORD is all capital letters again in this book. I learned from my recent Psalm 23 study that Old Testament Hebrews referred to God using initials: His name, rendered LORD, was too sacred to pronounce. In v26, the LORD is also described as the living God.
- David, a shepherd, sent by his father with provisions for his older brothers serving in Israel’s army under King Saul. His belief in God was so strong, he volunteered to fight in place of the whole Israeli army against
- Goliath, a Philistine warrior and the fully armored giant, who repeatedly taunted God and Israel’s army but died when he took on David.
- Saul, the king of Israel and thus the leader of Israel’s army in the valley of Elah.
WHERE (LOCATIONS)
The verses I’m studying deal primarily with the battle between David and Goliath, which took place in the Elah Valley (v19). This is significant to me: not just because we just studied Psalm 23, in which David also mentions a valley, but also because it feels like a valley is a difficult place for a fight; if one side gets the better of the other, retreat would mean running up a slope, in full view of your enemies!
Next, David chose five stones from the brook (v40) and declared his goal was to beat Goliath so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (vv46-47). After David killed Goliath, the Philistines fled (v51).
WHEN (TIME FRAMES)
Goliath bellowed his challenge to send a lone warrior to fight him for forty days, morning and evening (v16), and no one from the army of Israel had taken him on.
David arrived at Israel’s encampment as the host was going out to the battle line (v20).
David told Goliath he would be delivered into David’s hand by the LORD this day (v46).
Dig-In Challenges
Here’s my plan for this week:
- PRAY the prayer I wrote last week before I study. Then I’ll…
- MINE: Look for repeated words or phrases in this passage and check for synonyms or pronouns that refer to the same concepts.
- MINE: Locate any special statements (blessings, commands, curses, prayers, promises, requests, and/or warnings) in the passage.
- MINE: Note any lists (3 or more similar items) mentioned in the study passage.
- Record what the Spirit prompts so I can use it in Steps 4 and 5.
Remember, you can download this printable summary of the DISO process for more specific instructions. I’ll share what I discover with you next week, so I hope you’ll join me then.
GO TO WEEK 4 >
by Jen | Mar 31, 2026 | 1 Samuel 17, David and Goliath, DISO studies
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Hello, Friends. I hope you have plans to celebrate Easter this coming Sunday! It’s my favorite holiday because it commemorates the one miracle that sets Jesus apart from all the other would-be first-century messiahs. All the others had birthdays, but as far as I know, only Jesus has a rebirthday!
Of course, the real purpose for this post is to share my prayer and what the Spirit revealed to me in 1 Samuel 17 this past week, so I’ll get right to that…
Last Week’s Work
MY PRAYER
Thank You, Father God, for Your Word and what it reveals about Your character. As I study this story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, help me see, hear, and understand the lessons You have for me. Allow me to guide others through this study so we can faithfully represent You to all we meet. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
HUH? and WOW! MOMENTS
This might be a record! I noticed eight Wow!s and four Huh?s as I read through this passage:
- WOW! Pretty high stakes in the battle between David and Goliath: whoever survives their contest wins, and conquers all the loser’s people, too!
- WOW! All Israel’s men fled from Goliath and were much afraid… even when the king promised wealth and his daughter in marriage to the victor. Some warriors they were (vv24-25)!
- WOW! Much bravado on David’s part, “[I’ll] fight with this Philistine” (v32)!
- WOW! Okay, maybe it’s faith: David was sure he’d beat Goliath because the giant had “defied the armies of the living God (v36).”
- WOW! More evidence of David’s faith in vv37 and 46 where he reveals his battle plans!!
- WOW! David approached Goliath with his [shepherd’s?] staff [reminds me of Psalm 23:3!], five smooth stones, and his sling (v40); while Goliath brought a sword, a spear, and a javelin (v45). They each brought three items, but David also brought the LORD (v45)!
- WOW! “… all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s… (v47)”
- WOW! David ran toward the battle line to meet the Philistine (v48). I would never be eager to fight someone bigger, stronger, and better equipped than I am!
- HUH? Who are the armies (plural) of the living God mentioned in v36? Same as the armies of Israel mentioned in v45? But in v21, Israel’s defense is described as [one] army…? Maybe Israel plus a supernatural army?
- HUH? what’s the difference between a spear and a javelin (v45)?
- HUH? What does he mean by the name “the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel (v45).”
- HUH? V50 indicates David … with a stone… struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David.” But then v51 says “David… took [the Philistine’s] sword… and killed him…? Did Goliath die by the stone or a sword?
Dig-In Challenges
If you’re doing your own study, listen to the Spirit’s guidance this week and choose your own topic (your personal treasure)from 1 Samuel 17 to dig more deeply into. It can be anything you noticed in your survey of the text that raises a question or resonates with you, or you can use one of my responses above if you like. This personal treasure will help us narrow the focus of our study as it progresses.
- PRAY for the Spirit to direct your focus for the remainder of this study. In your journal, record the personal treasure He identifies, along with any verse(s) relating to it from the study text.
- MINE: Read 1 Samuel 17, focusing on three factors setting the stage in this text: note anything the Spirit emphasizes about the characters involved, any locations mentioned, and any timeframes discussed.
I’m looking forward to sharing my notes with you next week!
GO TO WEEK 3 >
by Jen | Mar 17, 2026 | DISO studies, Psalm 23
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Thank you for visiting with me today! I’m wrapping up my DISO study of Psalm 23, the first in our new series I’m calling God, Who? that explores some of the many biblical names of God. In this study, we discovered King David referring to Him as YHWH Ra’ah, the LORD, our Shepherd.
Last Week’s Work
LESSON(S) LEARNED
Studying this Psalm has shown me so much about how the LORD’s provision and presence impact the “sheep,” who follow Him: He provides contentment (v1) and necessities (v2), as well as righteous direction (v3) from His Word (2 Timothy 3:16!). His presence builds courage in treacherous valleys (v4) and in our struggle with real enemies (v5) [as defined by Ephesians 6:12]. Finally, through His guidance and discipline, we find comfort (v4); and all these experiences give us confidence to reflect His goodness to the world around us, knowing our future is secure (v6).
CONVICTION
I am convicted that the LORD, my Shepherd, is enough. Looking back, my life is littered with bad decisions that could have cost me everything. Yet here I am: scarred, yes, but otherwise unscathed. Moreover, this study has emphasized to me that my survival hasn’t come from any achievement on my part. It’s one hundred percent because of the LORD’s protection and provision.
CORRECTION
So what am I to do with this good news? I believe this time, God is using this study to focus my heart on verse 6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
I see this statement of David’s as a challenge to me to accept the Christian commission described in Matthew 28:19-20 and show goodness and mercy to the world by sharing the gospel with others.
ACTION PLAN
This feels like a call to step out of my comfort zone and possibly return to work or some other situation where I can influence others, particularly non-Christians. I’m praying for more clarity: that I will see and recognize the path He’s leading me on!
Our Next Study
In the meantime, I can’t wait to learn more about God by examining other names for Him. Next week I’ll begin studying sections of 1 Samuel chapter 17, exploring another term David used for God, the LORD of hosts. I hope you’ll join me for that study, too!
by Jen | Jan 20, 2026 | DISO studies, Galatians 5
NEW TO THIS STUDY? START HERE.
Hi—thanks for checking in with me today!
Last Week’s Work
LESSON(S) LEARNED
Over the last seven weeks, Paul taught me I have a choice: I can choose the salvation of God’s unfailing, unending grace and look forward to forever in heaven with Him by believing Jesus Christ was God’s Son who willingly gave His earthly life to redeem me. Or I can opt to always act in accordance with every condition of God’s law. I can’t do either of these perfectly, but the risk manager in me realizes that grace covers me even when my belief is small as a mustard seed. I choose grace.
CONVICTION
I am reminded that my actions always reflect what I believe. And, unfortunately, that fluctuates. Many times, I let fear take over when faith should lead. I speak or act based on what I’m afraid of because my confidence in Jesus isn’t strong enough to overcome the worry.
CORRECTION
In this study, two cross-references caught my eye: He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (Matthew 13:33 ESV); and Luke’s version: And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened” (Luke 13:20-21 ESV). These two are the only instances where leaven is used as a positive influence: a woman working with this hidden substance successfully impacts a whole batch of flour.
For good (or bad), my faith impacts my behavior. But I know it’s also true that action impacts my belief. About the time I was saved, I read a book called Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. To the best of my recollection, it was more self-help than scriptural, but I believe the title is an excellent reminder of what faith looks like: it’s acknowledging I need God’s help for a successful journey but taking the first step anyway.
ACTION PLAN
Going forward, I want to stop allowing fear (unbelief) to hold me back from doing what I believe God has prepared for me to do: studying His Word and helping other women do the same. I want to grow my faith by taking the first step in whatever form it appears and continually reminding myself that He is with me all the way.
Our Next Study
Next week, I’m excited to begin a study of Psalm 23, the Scripture that saved my life thirty years ago and—because God is like that—ties right into what I discovered here in Galatians 5!
This upcoming study kicks off a new series called God Who? where we’ll examine passages that feature several of His names. I can’t wait to explore the treasure to be found there, and I hope you’ll join me to learn more about our awesome God!
