What Does the David and Goliath Narrative Say About My Life?

What is the real story of David and Goliath?

1 Samuel 17 tells of David, a young shepherd, defeating Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior, with just a sling and a stone. This victory, driven by David's faith in God, showcases the triumph of faith and courage over seemingly insurmountable odds. Various authors and commentators have taken different approaches. Some see this as a tale of personal inspiration telling the average person that “they too can slay their giants.” Others, like Malcolm Gladwell, see this as an example of how underdogs are more powerful than we think and that often perceived disadvantages can, in fact, turn out to be advantages, leading to unexpected success.

However, both these approaches fail to consider the metanarrative of Scripture, so let’s take a moment to see how this story fits. The scene of David versus Goliath takes place in the Valley of Elah, where the Israelite and Philistine armies are encamped on opposite hills, ready for battle. The scene takes place in the Judaean foothills of Israel, between the cities of Azekah and Socoh. As Robert Bergen writes, “Separating the two camps geographically was a wadi, a usually dry river bed. Separating the Israelites from the Philistines psychologically, as the following verses indicate, was a chasm of fear.”^[1]

Forty days into this standoff, resources were likely waning, and morale was low. Goliath, possibly of Hittite or Lydian descent, was a champion or “man between the two.” As Bergen writes, “This phrase, used only here in the Old Testament, apparently refers to an individual who fought to the death in representative combat with an opponent from a foreign army.”^[2] His precise height is unknown, but some interpret six cubits and a span as nine feet and nine inches. “This passage presents the longest description of military attire in the Old Testament. Goliath’s physical stature, armor, weaponry, and shield bearer must have made him appear invincible.”^[3]

But despite Goliath’s overwhelming size and fearsome nature, we should keep in mind 1 Samuel 16:7, which warns us not to focus too much on appearance or stature because God sees the heart. David’s “sling “consisted of two long cords with a pocket in the center. The slinger placed a stone in the pocket, grasped the ends of the cords, whirled the stone, and shot by releasing one of the cords.”[4] “Thus propelled, a sling stone could easily reach a speed upwards of seventy miles per hour.”^[5]

In David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell suggests that Goliath may have had a condition known as acromegaly, a disorder that results from excess growth hormone and can lead to gigantism. One of the side effects of acromegaly is impaired vision. Gladwell speculates that this condition could explain why Goliath moved slowly and needed guidance onto the battlefield, indicating that he might not have seen David clearly.[6]

Whether this was the case, we can’t be sure. But what we can know is the story of David and Goliath ties into the Bible’s metanarrative of redemption by illustrating the victory of God's chosen people through faith in God’s power over seemingly insurmountable odds. The victory over Goliath was less a testament to David’s courage as it was a demonstration of Yahweh’s power. By positioning this narrative so close to King Saul’s failures, the author of 1 Samuel gives us a powerful contrast.

King Saul operated in his own strength, but David relied on God.

The main takeaway for believers today involves seeing parallels between what David did and what Jesus does for us today. Through his confidence in and relationship with God, David functions as a representative champion of his cowering people. Christ, similarly, is the representative champion of his cowering people.

Just as David's victory brought salvation to Israel and demonstrated that true power lies in God’s hands, Jesus’ sacrifice brings salvation to all humanity, showing that spiritual victory comes through faith and dependence on God. As Philips Long writes, “Reflecting on the rescue that our true and final champion, Jesus himself, has won on our behalf, our hearts are moved to worship and to greater trust in him.”^[7]

When we look at the story of David merely as an example of acting heroically under challenging situations, we’ll end up making foolish choices in the flesh. But when we see this account as one of profound trust in God, this helps us focus our attention back on Jesus. We realize that without him, the Goliaths of this world will crush us. But as Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who is against us?”

^[1]Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, ed. E. Ray Clendenen and Kenneth A. Mathews, vol. 7 of The New American Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 188.

^[2]Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, ed. E. Ray Clendenen and Kenneth A. Mathews, vol. 7 of The New American Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 188-189.

^[3]Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, ed. E. Ray Clendenen and Kenneth A. Mathews, vol. 7 of The New American Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 190.

[4] Sellers, “Sling Stones,” 42; cf. Jdg 20:16; 1Ch 12:2; further Yadin, 9–10, 364

^[5]Ronald F. Youngblood, “1 and 2 Samuel,” in 1 Samuel-2 Kings, vol. 3 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition. ed. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland; Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009), 183-184.

[6] Malcolm Gladwell, David and Goliath

^[7]Bryan Chapell, eds. Gospel Transformation Study Bible Notes. Accordance electronic ed. (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), paragraph 1421.