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From Eternity Past
the lurking place of beasts of prey. Not infrequently lions or bears
came, fierce with hunger, to attack the flocks. David was armed only
with his sling and shepherd’s staff; yet he gave proof of his courage
in protecting his flock. Afterward describing these encounters, he
said: “When there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the
flock, I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his
mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and
smote him, and slew him.” His experience developed in him courage,
fortitude, and faith.
When war was declared by Israel against the Philistines, three of
the sons of Jesse joined the army under Saul, but David remained at
home. After a time, however, he went to visit the camp. By his father’s
direction he was to carry a message and a gift to his elder brothers.
But, unknown to Jesse, the armies of Israel were in peril, and David
had been directed by an angel to save his people.
As David drew near to the army, Israel and the Philistines were
drawn up in array, army against army. Goliath, the champion of the
Philistines, came forth, and with insulting language defied Israel to
provide a man from their ranks who would meet him in combat. When
David learned that the Philistine’s defiance was hurled at them day
after day without arousing a champion to silence the boaster, he was
fired with zeal to preserve the honor of God.
The armies of Israel were depressed. They said one to another,
“Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he
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come up.” In shame and indignation, David exclaimed, “Who is this
uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living
God?”
Even as a shepherd, David had manifested daring, courage, and
strength rarely witnessed, and the mysterious visit of Samuel to their
father’s house had awakened in the brothers suspicions of the real
object of his visit. Their jealousy had been aroused.
And now the question which David asked was regarded by Eliab
as a censure upon his own cowardice in making no attempt to silence
the giant. The elder brother exclaimed angrily, “Why camest thou
down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the
wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for
thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.” David’s answer