David is one of the Old Testament's best-loved characters. Many articles could be written about the events that occurred during David's life. This article addresses one event in his early life.
David has been anointed to be Israel's next king. Saul's army is battling against the Philistine army. Every day, the Philistine champion, a giant named Goliath, challenges Saul's army. "Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." And the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together." {1 Samuel 17:8-10} Israel's soldiers feared and trembled each time they heard Goliath's words.
David's brothers were with Saul's army. Their father sent the lad to check on his brothers' welfare and bring them provisions. The two armies were drawn up in battle array. David heard Goliath's challenge, and he reacted. "...What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" {1 Samuel 17:26} His brothers told him to go back to his sheep! The king heard about what David said, and he called for David to come to him.
What does David want to do? "...Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." {1 Samuel 17:32} Saul tells David he is but a boy, while Goliath is a giant and a mighty man of valor. David convinces Saul that he can defeat Goliath? "...Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." {1 Samuel 17:34-36} David, you see, had help--the living God would grant him the victory! David's had confidence in God, not in himself!
Saul tried to outfit David in his armor, but it was too heavy and burdensome for David. Rather, David chose a sling and five smooth stones. He went and stood before Goliath who ridiculed and mocked him, telling him the birds would eat his flesh! David answered Goliath: "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." {1 Samuel 17:46} David took one stone from the bag and smote the giant in the forehead. He fell to the ground dead, and David took his sword and cut off his head! The Philistines fled! God delivered Israel!
We all understand that God gave David this great victory, but we should never underestimate the courage David displayed when he trusted God to deliver him from such a superior enemy. It reminds me of Paul's words in Romans 8:31: "if God is for us who can stand against us?" Whenever we stand with God, we stand with the superior force! God will deliver us, just as he delivered David, if we trust and lean on Him!