Goliath, an exceptionally tall warrior, dares the Israelites to send a man to fight him, promising that if he loses, the Israelites’ subordination to the Philistines will end. However, if he wins, the Philistines will continue to oppress them. David understands that if the Israelites lose, it will show everyone that God is not on their side. He therefore decides to confront the giant. Goliath attempts to defy God. The battle that is about to ensue is not merely physical; it represents Israel’s struggle to be free. When we face our enemies, whether external or internal, we need God’s blessing. We must display courage and determination that are not only physical, but first and foremost spiritual. A willful, energetic David stands up against the giant, gathering all his resourcefulness and determination to fight him.
Saul attempts to mitigate David’s excitement and dissuade him from engaging. The king of Israel is afraid of failure. He emphasizes the physical and external challenges of battle. In contrast, David is not concerned about facing the enemy. He focuses on the spiritual elements: fortitude and faith. David’s resoluteness and creativityare what will decide the fate of his battle, not the effectiveness of his weapons.
“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)
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied” (1 Samuel 17:45)
Fearlessness is not needing to “find the courage”, because we already have it; certainty in the Creator’s love enables us to be fearless.
