Faith Over Fear — Inspired by the Story of David and Goliath
Share
The biblical story of David and Goliath is a classic tale of faith, courage, and the triumph of the underdog, found in 1 Samuel 17.
The Challenge
The Philistines and the Israelites were gathered for war, with their armies facing each other across a valley. For forty days, a massive Philistine warrior named Goliath of Gath came out from the Philistine camp every morning and evening. He was an imposing figure, standing over nine feet tall, and was clad in heavy bronze armor and a formidable helmet. He carried a huge spear, a javelin, and a sword, and a shield-bearer walked before him.
Goliath would shout to the Israelite army, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us."
The Israelites, including King Saul himself, were terrified by Goliath's challenge and no one dared to face him.
David's Arrival
During this time, a young shepherd boy named David was sent by his father, Jesse, to the Israelite camp to deliver food to his three older brothers who were soldiers in Saul's army. When David arrived, he heard Goliath's taunts and saw the fear on the faces of the Israelite soldiers. He was indignant that this uncircumcised Philistine would defy the armies of the living God.
David began asking the men what would be done for the person who killed Goliath and removed this disgrace from Israel. When his oldest brother, Eliab, heard him speaking, he became angry and accused David of being arrogant and neglecting his sheep to come and watch the battle. David simply replied, "What have I done now? Can't I even speak?"
David Faces the King
News of David's words reached King Saul, who summoned the young shepherd. David told the king, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." Saul, seeing the boy's youth and inexperience, was skeptical. He said, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth."
David responded with a bold testimony of his faith. He explained how, as a shepherd, he had killed both a lion and a bear to protect his father's sheep. "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine," he declared. Moved by David's faith, Saul agreed, saying, "Go, and the Lord be with you."
Saul tried to give David his own armor, but it was too big and cumbersome. David, not used to such equipment, took it off. Instead, he took his shepherd's staff, chose five smooth stones from a streambed, and put them in his shepherd's pouch. With his sling in hand, he went out to face the giant.
The Confrontation
When Goliath saw David approaching, he was filled with contempt. "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" he mocked. He cursed David by his gods and threatened to give his flesh to the birds and wild animals.
David's response was a powerful declaration of faith: "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. 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. 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."
As Goliath moved to attack, David ran quickly toward him. He reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it with all his might. The stone hit Goliath squarely in the forehead, sinking into his skull. The giant fell facedown on the ground.
David, having no sword, ran over to the fallen Goliath, took the giant's own sword, and used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled in terror. The Israelites, emboldened by David's victory, pursued and slaughtered them, securing a great victory for Israel.