David and Goliath
There, I promised another entry didn't I? :P
I was reading the story of David and Goliath and it amazed me how many parallels I could draw to my own life, and how many lessons we can all learn from it.
David was but a shepherd boy when his 3 eldest brothers followed King Saul out to battle against the Philistines. David stayed behind to tend to his father's flock of sheep (parallel number 1: while other people go out and have all the fun, I stay behind and basically do nothing - or, if anything, rubbish). One day, David was sent by his father, Jesse, to bring some food for his brothers and their commander. At the same time, he was tasked to bring back assurance (or some token or pledge) from them (parallel number 2: David was sent to bring food and news for various people i.e he was a messenger and fatigue worker. I am a signaller and frequently end up doing fatigue work, known in colloquial local lingo as "sai gang").
So, David went out and did as he was told. While he was speaking with his brothers, Goliath once again came out and challenged the Israelites. When the Israelites saw him, they ran in great fear. However, David asked the people who were around him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (Lesson no.1: Be confident in your identity. David knew that as a part of God's people, they had a right to God's help in securing their victory. Lesson no.2: Know your enemy. David knew that one of the differences between his folks and the Philistines was that the Philistines were uncircumcised. What's the big deal, you may ask? Well circumcision is a sign of submission to God, because once a part of one's manhood is removed, is signifies that one operates not by his own effort but that he must trust in God for everything. Moral of story: know what sets you apart from those who come against you, and use that against them.)
Back to the story...when Eliab, David's eldest brother, had heard him ask that particular question, he responded with anger and asked David "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle." (parallel no.3: do work for other people then get scolded for it...) David replied, saying "Now what have I done? Can't I even speak?" (parallel no.4: nobody really wanted to listen to him, just coz he was junior). Finally, what David said was overheard and reported to Saul, who sent for him immediately. David encouraged Saul (parallel no.5 - those who know will know, those who don't it's alright) by saying "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." Saul initially doubted David's ability to fight, but after some persuation finally relented (Lesson No.3: don't discount what the guy says or what he can do just because he is young - we've been here in a previous entry, I believe...). Saul eventually sent David out with his own armour, which David politely refused because he simply couldn't handle the huge, heavy thing.
So, David went out with nothing more than his shepherd's bag, sling and 5 smooth stones. At the same time, Goliath approached, looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he said "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" He cursed David by his gods, and said "Come here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field." To cut a long story short, David charged forward, released a single stone from his sling and took Goliath down with a shot straight to the forehead (talk about your ancient-day sniper!) and that marked the victory for the Israelites.
Ok...one more entry to go, I think...and that'll last you the week till I can post again.
I was reading the story of David and Goliath and it amazed me how many parallels I could draw to my own life, and how many lessons we can all learn from it.
David was but a shepherd boy when his 3 eldest brothers followed King Saul out to battle against the Philistines. David stayed behind to tend to his father's flock of sheep (parallel number 1: while other people go out and have all the fun, I stay behind and basically do nothing - or, if anything, rubbish). One day, David was sent by his father, Jesse, to bring some food for his brothers and their commander. At the same time, he was tasked to bring back assurance (or some token or pledge) from them (parallel number 2: David was sent to bring food and news for various people i.e he was a messenger and fatigue worker. I am a signaller and frequently end up doing fatigue work, known in colloquial local lingo as "sai gang").
So, David went out and did as he was told. While he was speaking with his brothers, Goliath once again came out and challenged the Israelites. When the Israelites saw him, they ran in great fear. However, David asked the people who were around him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (Lesson no.1: Be confident in your identity. David knew that as a part of God's people, they had a right to God's help in securing their victory. Lesson no.2: Know your enemy. David knew that one of the differences between his folks and the Philistines was that the Philistines were uncircumcised. What's the big deal, you may ask? Well circumcision is a sign of submission to God, because once a part of one's manhood is removed, is signifies that one operates not by his own effort but that he must trust in God for everything. Moral of story: know what sets you apart from those who come against you, and use that against them.)
Back to the story...when Eliab, David's eldest brother, had heard him ask that particular question, he responded with anger and asked David "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle." (parallel no.3: do work for other people then get scolded for it...) David replied, saying "Now what have I done? Can't I even speak?" (parallel no.4: nobody really wanted to listen to him, just coz he was junior). Finally, what David said was overheard and reported to Saul, who sent for him immediately. David encouraged Saul (parallel no.5 - those who know will know, those who don't it's alright) by saying "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." Saul initially doubted David's ability to fight, but after some persuation finally relented (Lesson No.3: don't discount what the guy says or what he can do just because he is young - we've been here in a previous entry, I believe...). Saul eventually sent David out with his own armour, which David politely refused because he simply couldn't handle the huge, heavy thing.
So, David went out with nothing more than his shepherd's bag, sling and 5 smooth stones. At the same time, Goliath approached, looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he said "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" He cursed David by his gods, and said "Come here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field." To cut a long story short, David charged forward, released a single stone from his sling and took Goliath down with a shot straight to the forehead (talk about your ancient-day sniper!) and that marked the victory for the Israelites.
Ok...one more entry to go, I think...and that'll last you the week till I can post again.
posted by Ainsley at 12:13 PM
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