23 DAVID
He Stood Up to a Giant
DAVID looked across the floor of the valley of Elah, and there stood the man—Goliath! The armor-bearer at his side was likely a normal-sized man. So, even from a distance, Goliath surely looked immense. He loomed some 2.9 meters (9.5 ft) tall, and his strength matched his size. Most people must have felt tiny and weak when they saw him. But as David looked at Goliath, he had a different view, one that gave him courage.
David had been anointed by the prophet Samuel, and the prophet had said that David would eventually serve as Israel’s next king. Jehovah’s spirit then began to work on the boy in powerful ways. David was known as “a courageous, mighty warrior,” although he was still too young to join the army. He had come to this battlefield at the request of his father, Jesse, who wanted him to see how his brothers were faring in the army of Israel. Likely, David was still in his teens.
When he arrived at the Valley of Elah, David saw that the two armies, the Israelite and the Philistine, had been locked in a stalemate for weeks. They faced each other across the valley. Then the Philistine champion Goliath came out and loudly taunted the Israelites. David could hardly believe his ears—this pagan warrior was, in effect, ridiculing Jehovah God! David began asking the soldiers about Goliath and about how King Saul might reward a man who defeated this Philistine who dared to taunt Jehovah’s army. David’s older brother Eliab rebuked David and questioned his motives. But David kept right on trying to encourage the soldiers.
David’s words were reported to King Saul, who summoned him. David tried to encourage the king, saying: “Let no one lose heart [or, “courage,” ftn.] because of [Goliath].” He volunteered to “go and fight with this Philistine” himself. Saul objected at first, for he was sure that David would be slaughtered. But David told the king about how Jehovah had already enabled him to do remarkable things, such as killing a lion and a bear that attacked his father’s flocks. Saul finally relented, and he had David put on the king’s own armor and take up his sword. David was not used to such equipment, so he removed it all and chose his own weapons instead—his shepherd’s staff and his sling.
As David emerged onto the valley floor, he stopped at a streambed and picked up five smooth stones. Then he approached his huge foe on the battlefield. As soon as Goliath caught sight of the youth, the giant’s voice boomed, ridiculing David for coming against him “with sticks,” likely meaning his shepherd’s staff. Goliath might not have noticed the sling, which was well-known as a powerful weapon in skilled hands. The Philistine champion “cursed David by his gods” and promised to feed his carcass to the birds and beasts.
As a youth, David faced a colossal foe in order to defend Jehovah’s name
David answered: “You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I am coming against you in the name of Jehovah of armies, the God of the battle line of Israel, whom you have taunted.” David thus revealed the source of his courage. He did not compare himself to Goliath. He compared Goliath to Jehovah God! So David was sure that he could bring that giant down and that the Philistines would suffer a great defeat.
David ran toward his foe. The youth reached into his bag, selected a stone, put it in his sling, and began to whirl it. If Goliath only now noticed the sling, it was too late. David released the stone, which hurtled to its target and sank into Goliath’s forehead. The giant fell “facedown on the ground.” David ran up, took Goliath’s sword, and beheaded the man where he lay. Now the army of Israel found its courage. The men broke into shouting and attacked the Philistines. God’s people won a great victory that day. The courage of young David inspired them, as it has inspired people of faith ever since.
Read the Bible account:
For discussion:
In what ways did young David show courage?
Dig Deeper
1. Who were some of David’s courageous ancestors? (Matt. 1:5, 6; Luke 3:31-38; w12 10/1 24 ¶3)
2. What supports the authenticity of this account? (wp16.5 13) A
Collection the Israel Antiquities Authority. Photo © The Israel Museum, by Meidad Suchowolski
Picture A: Fragment from the ninth century B.C.E. referring to the “House of David”
3. Describe young David’s life as a shepherd. (w11 9/1 27 ¶1–28 ¶1) B
Todd Bolen/BiblePlaces.com
Picture B
4. How do we know that David was often underestimated by others? (w21.03 3 ¶6; it “Eliab” No. 4 ¶1)
Reflect on the Lessons
How might David’s example help you to battle . . .
your fears? C
Picture C
sinful desires?
What effect may your courage have on others? (1 Sam. 17:50-53)
In what other ways might you imitate the courage of David in this account?
Meditate on the Bigger Picture
What does this account teach me about Jehovah?
How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?
In the resurrection, what would I like to ask David about this part of his life?
Learn More
In this song for children, learn what made David so courageous.
How can brothers earn and maintain the respect of others, as David did?
“Young Men—How Can You Gain the Trust of Others?” (w21.03 2-5 ¶1-11)