“And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”
Hebrews 11:32-34
In Hebrews 11, David is mentioned in the Hall of Faith. David truly was a man who lived by faith. In one of the most popular stories in the Bible seen in 1 Samuel 17, we see him go up against the giant Goliath.
Just picture it. A champion warrior and giant among men is mocking the army of God when David arrives at the camp. The Israelites have a decision to make: send a man to fight and kill Goliath or become slaves to the Philistine army. David volunteers to fight the Philistine.
Ironically, both David’s oldest brother and the king discredit David based on his age and his status as a shepherd. They thought the situation was impossible. But David knew his God, and he knew the victory he had already been given over a bear and a lion. David knew that anyone standing against God fought a losing battle.
So, King Saul offered David armor and weapons, but David knew he wouldn’t succeed with tools he had never used before. He took his staff, five smooth stones, and a sling. God gave him abundant victory.
David operated in faith instead of fear. He knew he wasn’t an experienced warrior, but he knew to whom he belonged. This faith carried David throughout his life as he went on to become king of Israel. In Acts 13:22, we see how God described David: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all My will.” David had faith in God, which led him to act in obedience, and God blessed his faithfulness.
