After David was anointed by the prophet Samuel, he went back to his father’s fields. But soon, a great war broke out between the people of Israel and their enemies, the Philistines. David’s three oldest brothers went off to join King Saul’s army to fight. One day, Jesse asked young David to leave the sheep for a moment and take some bread and grain to his brothers at the battle camp. When David arrived at the valley of Elah, he did not find a brave army. Instead, he found the soldiers of Israel trembling with fear.
A massive Philistine giant named Goliath stepped forward. He was over nine feet tall, wore heavy bronze armor, and carried a spear as thick as a pole. For forty days, morning and night, Goliath shouted insults at the Israelites, daring anyone to step out and fight him. No one dared to move.
When David heard the giant defying the army of the living God, he was not afraid. He remembered how God had helped him defeat the lions and bears in the fields. David went to King Saul and declared, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:32).
King Saul doubted David because he was just a youth, and Goliath had been a warrior since his own youth. Saul even tried to put his heavy armor and brass helmet on David. But according to 1 Samuel 17:39, David could not walk in them because he was not used to them. He took them off, choosing to rely only on the Lord. Instead of a sword, David took his shepherd’s staff.
He went down to a nearby brook and chose five smooth stones, putting them into his shepherd’s bag. With his sling in his hand, he walked out into the valley toward the giant. When Goliath saw David, he looked down on him with contempt because he was only a young, ruddy boy. Goliath mocked him, asking if he was a dog to be fought with sticks. But David boldly shouted back, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts!” (1 Samuel 17:45). As the giant moved closer to attack, David did not run away. He ran quickly toward the battle line.
Reaching into his bag, he took out a single stone, placed it in his sling, and swung it with all his might. The stone flew through the air and struck Goliath directly in the forehead. The giant collapsed and fell face first onto the ground. Armed with only a sling and a stone, the young shepherd boy had defeated the mighty champion. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they fled, and David saved his nation.
Lessons we learn
- The battle belongs to the Lord
- Past victories build future faith
- Do not let others look down on your youth
- Be yourself
- Courage is contagious
