"And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” 1 Samuel 17:32-33
The story of David’s conquest of Goliath is probably one of the most famous stories in the Bible. It would be easy to examine David’s conquering of Goliath as a metaphor for whatever battles you might be facing, however, let’s look at something else.
Although as children we believed David was about 12 or 13 years old when he met Goliath, it is much more probable that he was in his late teens to mid-twenties. As the youngest of eight boys, we can imagine he was a little rambunctious, with that wonderful agility young men get from working outdoors—strong, sinewy, and muscular. His responsibility of caring for his father’s sheep was probably a great way to keep him out of trouble while learning the responsibilities of a shepherd, a task not taken very lightly in tribal Israel. When Jesse, David’s father, asked him to take provisions to his older brothers who had been perched atop a mountain for forty days prepped for war against the Philistines; chances are, he had no idea David was planning to stay! After all, he was not even dressed for battle!
Let’s recap the story for those who don’t remember the details. After hearing David’s bravado while speaking with his brothers and the other soldiers, Saul’s soldiers, recounting David’s bravery, take David to the King. By this time, King Saul had already lost God’s favor due to disobedience; and, unbeknownst to Saul, Samuel the Prophet had already anointed David to be the next King of Israel. While speaking to King Saul, David repeats the same level of bravado he used while speaking to the soldiers. Out of options, and as fearful as the rest of his army, King Saul, a massive man, offers David his own over-sized attire to fight Goliath. David sheds Saul’s attire, and straps on his own unique armament, a slingshot and 5 smooth stones, as his weapons of choice.
Think about this. Did Saul really expect for David to return undefeated? No. He actually sent him out there to die. Saul was simply trying to buy time, or even worse—surrender! He had no idea that God’s favor was with David.
We can imagine David tending sheep, wondering when he was going to get the chance to join his brothers on the field of battle, daydreaming of a time when he could show the Philistines, and all the enemies of God, God’s strength.
There are going to be times in your life when you too will be thrust into battle, simply to buy time for someone else who, running out of options, has no idea what else to do! You will be called to step into the gap; and, they will try to give you their armaments to fight, but theirs will not be a custom fit for you. At that time, and on that day, they will have no idea that God is using them to help you step into your destiny. And like King Saul, they will have absolutely no clue that your time has come! The question is--will you be ready? L.
Study Reference: 1 Samuel 17:1-58, 18:6-15
From: "Will You Be Ready?" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Victoria Schmitt
"And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” 1 Samuel 17:32-33
The story of David’s conquest of Goliath is probably one of the most famous stories in the Bible. It would be easy to examine David’s conquering of Goliath as a metaphor for whatever battles you might be facing, however, let’s look at something else.
Although as children we believed David was about 12 or 13 years old when he met Goliath, it is much more probable that he was in his late teens to mid-twenties. As the youngest of eight boys, we can imagine he was a little rambunctious, with that wonderful agility young men get from working outdoors—strong, sinewy, and muscular. His responsibility of caring for his father’s sheep was probably a great way to keep him out of trouble while learning the responsibilities of a shepherd, a task not taken very lightly in tribal Israel. When Jesse, David’s father, asked him to take provisions to his older brothers who had been perched atop a mountain for forty days prepped for war against the Philistines; chances are, he had no idea David was planning to stay! After all, he was not even dressed for battle!
Let’s recap the story for those who don’t remember the details. After hearing David’s bravado while speaking with his brothers and the other soldiers, Saul’s soldiers, recounting David’s bravery, take David to the King. By this time, King Saul had already lost God’s favor due to disobedience; and, unbeknownst to Saul, Samuel the Prophet had already anointed David to be the next King of Israel. While speaking to King Saul, David repeats the same level of bravado he used while speaking to the soldiers. Out of options, and as fearful as the rest of his army, King Saul, a massive man, offers David his own over-sized attire to fight Goliath. David sheds Saul’s attire, and straps on his own unique armament, a slingshot and 5 smooth stones, as his weapons of choice.
Think about this. Did Saul really expect for David to return undefeated? No. He actually sent him out there to die. Saul was simply trying to buy time, or even worse—surrender! He had no idea that God’s favor was with David.
We can imagine David tending sheep, wondering when he was going to get the chance to join his brothers on the field of battle, daydreaming of a time when he could show the Philistines, and all the enemies of God, God’s strength.
There are going to be times in your life when you too will be thrust into battle, simply to buy time for someone else who, running out of options, has no idea what else to do! You will be called to step into the gap; and, they will try to give you their armaments to fight, but theirs will not be a custom fit for you. At that time, and on that day, they will have no idea that God is using them to help you step into your destiny. And like King Saul, they will have absolutely no clue that your time has come! The question is--will you be ready? L.
Study Reference: 1 Samuel 17:1-58, 18:6-15
From: "Will You Be Ready?" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Victoria Schmitt
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