• The World Was Not Worthy of Them
    The Watchtower—1987 | January 15

    • 6. How did David show his faith?

      6 Also notable for his faith was David. He was only a young man when he fought the Philistine giant Goliath. ‘You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin,’ said David, ‘but I come to you with the name of Jehovah of armies.’ Yes, David relied upon God, killed the towering Philistine, and went on to become a valiant warrior-king fighting in the interests of God’s people. And because of David’s faith, he was a man agreeable to Jehovah’s heart. (1 Samuel 17:4, 45-51; Acts 13:22) Throughout life, Samuel and other prophets also displayed great faith and full dependence upon God. (1 Samuel 1:19-28; 7:15-17) What fine examples for Jehovah’s present-day servants, young and old!

      7. (a) Who “through faith defeated kingdoms in conflict”? (b) Who “effected righteousness” through faith?

      7 By faith we can successfully meet every test of integrity and can accomplish anything harmonizing with the divine will. (Read Hebrews 11:33, 34.) In citing further acts of faith, apparently Paul had in mind Hebrew judges, kings, and prophets, for he had just named such men. “Through faith” such judges as Gideon and Jephthah “defeated kingdoms in conflict.” So did King David, who subdued the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Edomites, and others. (2 Samuel 8:1-14) Also through faith, upright judges “effected righteousness,” and the righteous counsel of Samuel and other prophets moved at least some to avoid or abandon wrongdoing.​—1 Samuel 12:20-25; Isaiah 1:10-20.

      8. What promise did David obtain, and to what did it lead?

      8 David was one who through faith “obtained promises.” Jehovah promised him: “Your very throne will become one firmly established to time indefinite.” (2 Samuel 7:11-16) And God kept that promise by establishing the Messianic Kingdom in 1914.​—Isaiah 9:6, 7; Daniel 7:13, 14.