1 Samuel 17

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.

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment if all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious."

1. Their fear was bigger than the cause.
a. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
1 Sam 17:11
b. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
1 Sam 17:24
c. Faith activates God, fear activates the enemy.
2. Jealousy was bigger than the cause.
a. 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.
1 Sam 17:28
3. Criticism was bigger than the cause.
a. ..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.
1 Sam 17:28
4. Misplaced values were bigger than the cause.
a. 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.
1 Sam 17:25
b. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
1 Sam 17:26