Topical Bible: The Bear: Attacks the Flock in the Presence of the Shepherd

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In the biblical narrative, the imagery of a bear attacking a flock in the presence of a shepherd is a powerful symbol of danger, protection, and divine intervention. This motif is primarily drawn from the experiences of David, the shepherd boy who would become king of Israel. The account of David's encounter with a bear is found in 1 Samuel 17:34-36, where David recounts his experiences to King Saul:

"But David said to Saul, 'Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.'" (1 Samuel 17:34-36)

Symbolism and Themes

1. Divine Empowerment and Courage: The bear's attack on the flock represents a formidable threat, yet David's ability to confront and defeat such a beast underscores the theme of divine empowerment. David attributes his victories over the lion and the bear to the Lord's deliverance, highlighting the belief that God equips His chosen servants with the strength and courage needed to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

2. Protection and Shepherding: The role of the shepherd is central to this imagery. The shepherd's duty is to protect the flock from predators, symbolizing God's protective nature over His people. David's actions as a shepherd foreshadow his future role as the shepherd-king of Israel, tasked with leading and safeguarding the nation.

3. Faith and Trust in God: David's confidence in facing the bear and later Goliath is rooted in his faith in God. His past experiences of divine deliverance bolster his trust that God will continue to protect and guide him. This narrative encourages believers to place their trust in God, even when faced with daunting adversaries.

4. Preparation for Greater Battles: The encounter with the bear serves as a preparatory experience for David. His victories over the lion and the bear build his faith and readiness for the greater challenge of confronting Goliath. This reflects the biblical principle that God often uses smaller trials to prepare His people for more significant battles ahead.

Biblical Context and Interpretation

The imagery of the bear is not limited to David's account. In the broader biblical context, bears are often depicted as symbols of ferocity and danger. For instance, in 2 Kings 2:24, bears are instruments of divine judgment when they maul the youths who mock the prophet Elisha. Additionally, in prophetic literature, such as Daniel 7:5, a bear represents one of the empires in Daniel's vision, symbolizing strength and aggression.

From a theological perspective, the bear's attack in the presence of the shepherd serves as a reminder of the constant spiritual warfare faced by God's people. The shepherd's vigilance and readiness to defend the flock are emblematic of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). This narrative encourages believers to rely on God's strength and protection in the face of spiritual and physical threats.

In summary, the motif of the bear attacking the flock in the presence of the shepherd is rich with themes of divine empowerment, protection, faith, and preparation. It serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and the courage He imparts to those who trust in Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 17:34
And David said to Saul, Your servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Shepherd Life in the Orient.
... stone, to protect the sheep from the attacks of wild ... is left on guard, lest perchance
a hungry bear or wolf ... Then each shepherd calls his flock by name; and they ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/ii shepherd life in the.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... 6. Such then was once this flock, and such it is now ... But how can I bear this holy
war ... and members of the family, when the sickness readily attacks in succession ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm

Love and Service.
... than love to Christ to accustom His flock to the ... it to stand against all storms and
attacks; and that ... the concerns of that kingdom, no power must bear rule but ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/xi love and service.htm

The First Kings.
... who had delivered him from the lion and the bear, when he tended his father's flock,
would also ... under the canopy of heaven, exposed to the attacks of the ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... a flock""as the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem ... As to the attacks made on other
parts of the book ... Of these forty-one psalms, thirty-seven bear the name ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ...
... led by faith, have, like the shepherd's flock, grown trustfully ... with the enemy, all
those attacks from within ... suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/xi surely goodness and mercy.htm

The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... goes before, like a shepherd before the flock, providing pasture ... am never at trouble
about the attacks of infidels ... honey; the vines that are to bear you grapes ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the vanguard and rereward of.htm

Chapter iv
... offers the idiomatic statement: "she added to bear," the main ... pieces" in addition
to "of his flock" aim to ... When they are out there, Cain "attacks his brother ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... Attacks are often made against creeds because they are a short ... of an ungodly son
who could not bear to dive ... in itself it is perfect weakness, a flock of sheep ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Jesus in the Garden of Olives.
... Art thou willing to bear its penalty? ... the approach of danger, hastens to visit his
flock, the safety ... another in pieces, and then renewed their attacks upon our ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter i jesus in the.htm