20th April, 2022
The story of David and Goliath is one of the most iconic and celebrated tales from the Old Testament. Virtually everyone vaguely acquainted with Bible stories knows that David, as a young boy, slew the giant Goliath. The story is an inspiring example of how the plucky underdog could defeat someone much bigger than him, against the odds.
Just to recollect, The Israelites were getting ready for a battle against the Philistines. A valley separated the two armies as each army stood ready on a mountain.
Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, was a giant of over nine feet in height, wearing armour and carrying a huge spear. Every day he walked out to the Israelite army and challenged them to send forward one Israelite to fight him in single combat, to settle the issue and decide the winner. If Goliath beat the Israelite, the Philistines would win, but if the Israelite champion was victorious, the Israelites would win.
The Israelites feared this mighty warrior; even Saul, their king, was apprehensive. But the young shepherd-boy David, who was only a teenager and the youngest son of Jesse, accepted the challenge. He stepped out to face Goliath armed only with his staff, a sling, and five smooth stones he took from the nearby brook, placing them in his shepherd’s bag.
Goliath, the giant rushed towards the young boy in an effort to crush him. At that moment, David used his sling to hurl a stone at his opponent. The stone struck Goliath in his forehead, and the Philistine fell face-down, to the ground, stone dead.
David then cut off his head. The Philistines fled the battle, while David took Goliath’s armour before transporting the severed head to Jerusalem.
Saul summoned the boy David to him. The king asked David, ‘How did you get the courage to fight the giant Goliath who was too big to be hit and the entire Army was in fear of him.’
David had a totally different perspective and replied, ‘No my lord, he was not too big to hit, Goliath was too big to miss.’
It was the same giant but all the soldiers focused only on the obstacles whereas David only saw the opportunity. While others were afraid of the size of Goliath, David saw Goliath’s size as an opportunity and exploited that opportunity in his and his countrymen’s favour.
David was amply rewarded and honoured with a place at Saul’s court.
Most successful people look for and focus on the opportunity whereas the unsuccessful can only see the obstacles. Focus on obstacles and you are sure to fail, focus on your goal and you are bound to succeed.
Develop the right attitude, slay the Goliath and stay blessed forever.