In many ways David was an ordinary young man, a shepherd by trade, who spent his days tending to his father’s sheep in the quiet hills of Bethlehem. His life was simple, filled with the routine tasks of guiding the flock to green pastures and protecting them from the dangers lurking in the wilderness. Yet, it was in these humble surroundings that David began to learn an extraordinary truth: Jehovah, the living God, was always with him, giving him strength beyond his own.

In 1 Samuel 17:34-35, David recounts how he struck down the lion and the bear when they came to carry off sheep from the flock. After striking them, he would grab the animal by its fur or beard and kill it. In this passage, we see David's bravery and his reliance on Jehovah for strength, but we don’t know the exact weapon or method he used to deliver the final blow to these vicious predators. It is clear that David's actions were remarkable, especially for someone so young, and they demonstrated his faith in Jehovah's protection. He didn’t claim these victories as his own; he knew that it was Jehovah who had given him the strength to succeed.

These experiences were more than just events in David’s life; they were lessons that deepened his trust in Jehovah. Each time he faced danger and saw Jehovah’s hand in his deliverance, his confidence grew. He knew that the God who had helped him with the lion and the bear would be with him in future challenges, no matter how daunting.

David's faith faced a greater test when he was still young. His father sent him to the battlefield where the Israelite army was camped, facing off against their enemy, the Philistines. Upon arriving, David found the soldiers gripped with fear, paralyzed by the taunts of a giant named Goliath. This was no ordinary enemy; Goliath was a towering warrior, armed and ready to destroy anyone who dared challenge him. The soldiers were focused on the giant’s size and strength, convinced that defeat was inevitable.

But David saw things differently. To him, this wasn’t just a battle between Israel and the Philistines; it was a challenge against the living God, Jehovah. David had Jehovah foremost in his mind. He knew that the same God who had given him strength against the lion and the bear would also provide him with the strength to face this giant.

Without armor or sword, David stepped forward to confront Goliath. Armed only with a sling and five smooth stones, but filled with faith in Jehovah, David confronted the giant. “You come to me with a sword and a spear,” he declared, “but I come to you in the name of Jehovah of armies, the God of the battle line of Israel, whom you have taunted.” (1 Samuel 17:26)

David's weapon of choice, the sling, was a simple yet powerful tool that required skill and precision. He would loop one of the thongs around a finger or tie it to his wrist, allowing the thong to pass over the palm of his hand. Holding the other thong's end doubled back in the same hand, David would place a carefully chosen stone in the center of the sling. With his one hand steadying the stone, he would release it and start a swift, counterclockwise motion with his other hand. The sling would make a full circle behind and then above his head before, at the perfect moment, David released the unattached thong, sending the stone hurtling toward its target. This seemingly simple weapon, in the hands of a skilled user like David, could deliver a devastating blow, as demonstrated in his battle against Goliath.

The sling was not only a simple weapon but also one capable of delivering immense force and achieving outstanding range. By leveraging the combined length of the slinger’s arm and the thongs, a stone could be propelled with such force, the same amount of torque to penetrate the door of a modern-day automobile. However, mastering this weapon demanded extensive practice and precise timing for accuracy. Typically, smooth stones were used as missiles, with David choosing such stones when he faced Goliath. The most suitable stones were about two and a half inches (6.3 centimeters) in diameter, although the size of slingstones could vary considerably. Despite its simplicity, in the hands of a skilled user, the sling could prove to be a devastating weapon.

With a single stone, David struck Goliath down, proving that Jehovah’s power was far greater than any earthly strength. David’s victory wasn’t just over a physical giant; it was a testament to the power of faith in the living God.

David’s life was a powerful reminder that even an ordinary person can achieve extraordinary things through reliance on Jehovah. As Philippians 4:13 says, “For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.” David’s story encourages us all to face our trials with confidence, knowing that Jehovah, the living God, is there to sustain us. Just as He was with David, He will be with us in every challenge we face, great or small.

Much of the information used to compose this narrative can be found here:

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101977285

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001130

Thank you for reading,
-Soli Jehova Gloria (1 Corinthians 10:31)