And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David’s spears and shields… – 2 Kings 11:10

Little could David have thought when he gave Abiathar the sword of Goliath, that he would ever go to the priests of Gad and ask them to lend him a sword, and that they should say, “We have no sword here, save the sword of Goliath, the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the Valley of Elah, behold it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod.” He gave it to God, but he did not think that he would ever have it back again with a priestly blessing on it, so that he should be able to say, “There is none like that: give it me.” And when, in after years, he hung up the swords and shields which he had taken away from Philistine heroes, he did not surmise that one of his descendants, or the seed royal, would find the need to employ his own, his grandsire’s, or, further back, from himself-his forefather’s trophies-in order to establish himself on the throne. We never know, my brethren, when we praise God for mercies, but what the very praises might come back into our bosoms, and the offerings we make to God in the way of thankfulness may be our own enrichment in the days to come.

Years ago, you and I were fighting battles with unbelief. We were struggling after a Savior. Our sins rose up against us thick and furious. The fiery darts of the enemy rained upon us like hail. Glory be to God! by His grace we won the victory and overcame through the blood of the Lamb. We looked at Jesus Christ upon the cross, and in that moment our sins fled away. The whole host of them was defeated. A dying Savior was the symbol of victory. Let us use the mementoes we laid up before the Lord of that day-the trophies that we took in that battle-for ourselves and for others. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0972.cfm

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod… – 1 Samuel 21:9

David’s life was a series of dilemmas and deliverances. With what sort of face, think you, could he have invoked rescue from fresh perils, had he failed to recognise God’s help in past preservation? If, when flushed with victory, he had usurped the honor to himself, what assistance would he have received the next time he was curried with impending disaster? Or, had he not taught the Israelites in the hour of triumph to sing, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory;” how could he have engaged their hearts in the hour of trial to wail forth the litany of supplication-“The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee, send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.” Without consistency we cannot exert any moral influence with men or obtain any spiritual prevalence with God. May not many of our barren seasons be ascribed to the fact that we did not thank God for fruitful ones? “Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name;” else when most you need Him, you may find His strength is taken from you and your honors will have departed too. Hang up the shield, hang up the spear, let Jehovah’s name be exalted. Bring forth the forgotten memorials of lovingkindness, expose them to public view, put them before your own mind’s eye, gratefully remember them, lovingly praise Him and magnify His name…If we have any victories, let all the trophies be dedicated to the Lord. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0972.cfm

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod… – 1 Samuel 21:9

We have received so many mercies, my brethren, that they come to us as common things. We receive them, and scarcely know, perhaps, that we have received them. According to the old proverb we do not know the value of our mercies till we miss them; but it ought not to be so. Must we be defeated in order to let us know that God gives us victory? Is it needful that you and I should suffer some great disaster in order to make us grateful for past success? Will you never prize health as one of the choicest boons of heaven till some grievous malady has sapped your strength, and made all the enjoyments of life tasteless or even nauseous? Well, if it be needful, it is a necessity of our own producing. The more the pity that we should challenge the ills we complain of, and incur the reverses we so bitterly deplore. O that we may never slight the good things we have, or trifle with the benefits we receive from the hand of the Lord! Especially, my dear brethren, let us bless God for every spiritual success achieved, and take care to make a record of it on the tablet of our grateful heart. If we should one day have to flee before the enemy, if our work for God should one day seem to be without success, we may look back with much smiting of heart upon those ungrateful times when God dealt so generously with us, and yet we did not take the trouble to sing Him a psalm or offer up a vow, or do any act of homage to express our gratitude to Him. Hang up Goliath’s sword; do not put it by to rust. Hang up the shields and the spears of the Philistines. If by God’s help you have taken them, set store by them, and make the world see what the Lord has done on your behalf, whereof you are glad. Have the church to join your grateful song. There is too much of the cold silence of ingratitude amongst us. Stir the hearts of others because your own heart heaves with deep emotions of thankfulness to the Most High. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0972.cfm

…thou art now the blessed of the LORD. – Genesis 26:29

“Thou art now the blessed of the Lord.” “Now.” Beloved, do labour to get a hold of a present blessing. If you are indeed saved, do not be always thinking of what you are to enjoy in heaven; but seek to be the blessed of the Lord now. Why not have two heavens, a heaven here and a heaven there? What is the difference between a believer’s life here and a believer’s life there? Only this: here Christ is with us, and there we are with Christ. If we live up to our privileges this is the only difference we need to know. Try to be “now the blessed of the Lord.” I have heard of a traveller who was followed by a beggar, in Ireland, who very importunately asked for alms. As long as there seemed a chance of getting anything, the old woman kept saying, “May the blessing of God follow your honour all through your life!” but when all hope of a gift was vanished, she bitterly added, “and never overtake you.” But the blessings which God has for His chosen are not of that slow-footed kind which never catch us up. It is written, “All these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” I beseech you, then, to lay hold of this overtaking blessing. Let it not pass unheeded…Be very grateful that you are in this position of grace. You might have been in the drink-shop, you might have been speaking infidelity, you might have been in prison, you might have been in hell. But “thou art now the blessed of the Lord.” Wherefore, praise the Lord, whose mercy endureth for ever. If you do not lift up your voice, yet lift up your heart, and bless him for the grace which hath made you to differ from other people. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2238.cfm