King David

I'm going to start this blog off with one of my favourite biblical figures, David. In my opinion he was just a cool guy! One of those people you meet who's instantly likeable. From a young age he'd been entrusted with looking after the family's investment (of sheep) on his own and had developed and perfected a way of safeguarding that investment, using a slingshot and stones. Can you imagine letting a child no older than 12, be solely entrusted with the family's livelihood?



Can you imagine letting a child be entrusted with the family's livelihood?


He had to have proven himself as a child in some way. He exhibited no fear because he had complete trust in God. He knew that he was on God's side and put total faith in his protection. I personally feel that a lot of David's character was built from his time spent in solitude looking after those sheep. Being alone in those mountains, seeing God's splendour from a high up perspective. Gaining inspiration from these sights for his music. Having no one else around him to defend him from wild animals looking to prey on the sheep or possibly him. That's a truly character building situation! It must have been an awesome and frightening time but it gave him the skills and instincts he needed for his future role. Guarding sheep to guiding and protecting a nation.

David first makes a name for himself when the other Israelite soldiers are too afraid to take on the Philistine giant also known as Goliath. Young David expresses something of shame and embarassment that his people, his army don't believe they can knock this guy down. It's so embarrassing for David he feels compelled to take Goliath on himself.

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 1 Samuel 17:32

David doesn't have ANY fear. He is confident that he can defeat the Philistine. But it isn't egotistical bravado. David is confident THROUGH God's power. This initial story is the start of a consistent theme with David, which is why I admire him. He's confident of his abilities because he's confident of his relationship and faith in God. He's able to do anything because God wants him to. David routinely consults God before acting and routinely passes the praise and thanks back to God. He knows God is the reason he succeeds at what are seemingly impossible tasks and he only has the guts to do the seemingly impossible because God asks him to.

So David goes out to meet the Philistine once Saul gives him permission. Goliath is bemused when he sees little David with his stones and sling; however quickly gathers himself and threatens David and the rest of the Israelite army with a threat of painful death. David stands firm saying:

 “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

David whisks the sling sending the stone flying as he's done many times before to the wild animals he's encountered. The stone sinks into the Philistine's head instantly killing him. He then uses the Goliath's own sword to cut off his head. 

Killing Goliath was nothing to David

This boy has no fear! He's not distracted by the praise and attention everyone around him gives him. He's able to maintain a cool head and a humble attitude. To him this amazing feat is nothing because he knows the glory isn't his, it's Gods'.