IMITATE THEIR FAITH/DAVID

"LET NO ONE LOSE HEART BECAUSE OF HIM"

While serving Saul, David often returned home to shepherd the sheep, sometimes for extended periods. It was during one such period that Jesse sent David to check on his three oldest sons, who were serving in Saul's army. Obediently David, laden with supplies for his brothers, headed to the valley of Elah.  When he arrived he was dismayed to find the two armies locked in the stalemate described at the outset of this article.   They faced each other from the opposing slopes of that wide, curve valley. - 1 Samuel 17:1-3, 15-19.

To David, the situation was not tolerable. How could the army of the living God, Jehovah, flee in terror from a mere man-and a pagan at that?  David saw Goliath's taunts as a direct insult to Jehovah. So he began talking eagerly to the soldiers about defeating Goliath. Before long, David's oldest brother, Eliab, got wind of David's talk. He rebuked his youngest brother harshly, accusing him of being there only to witness the carnage of battle. But David answered him: "What have I done now?  I was only asking a question!"  Then he went right on speaking confidently about defeating Goliath, until someone repeated his words to Saul.  The king ordered David to be brought before him. -1 Samuel 17:23-31. 

David spoke these encouraging words to the king about Goliath:  "Let no one lose heart because of him."  Saul and his men indeed lost heart because of Goliath. Perhaps they had made the natural mistake of comparing themselves to that huge man, picturing how they cam up only to the man's midriff or chest.  They imagined that armored giant making short work of them. But David did not think that way. As we will see, he saw the problem in a completely different light. So he offered to fight Goliath himself. -1 Samuel 17:32. 

Next time: Conclusion of:  IMITATE THEIR FAITH/DAVID - "LET NO ONE LOSE HEART BECAUSE OF HIM"

From the Watchtower magazine