1 Samuel 17:20-30
20 So David got up early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper, and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the entrenchment encircling the camp while the army was going out in battle formation, shouting the war cry.
21 Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle formation, army against army.
22 Then David left the baggage in the care of the baggage keeper and ran to the battle line. And he entered and greeted his brothers.
23 As he was speaking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard him.
24 When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were very fearful.
25 And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will make the man who kills him wealthy with great riches, and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.”
26 Then David said to the men who were standing by him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and rids Israel of the disgrace? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he has dared to defy the armies of the living God?”
27 The people answered him in agreement with this statement, saying, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”
28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard him when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David and he said, “Why is it that you have come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I myself know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.”
29 But David said, “What have I done now? Was it not just a question?”
30 Then he turned away from him to another and said the same thing; and the people replied with the same words as before.
David’s Righteous Indignation
David heard
Verse 20 shows how much of a loyal and responsible person David was. It says, “So David got up early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper, and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him.” He left early in the morning, entrusted the sheep to a shepherd, and followed Jesse’s instructions. Upon arriving at the battlefield, David witnessed an unbelievable sight. (1) Goliath, the giant, was taunting the Israelite army. (2) The king had promised a substantial reward to anyone who kills Goliath, including giving his daughter in marriage. Furthermore, he promised to exempt the warrior’s family from military service and taxes. (3) Despite how much of an honor was promised, there was no one among the Israelites willing to fight Goliath. (4) David, however, was an exception. He felt a holy anger towards Goliath, who was defying the army of the living God.
Oldest brother Eliab
Eliab, David’s oldest brother, saw him gathering information. Probably through the eyes of the oldest brother, David still seemed like a child. We can feel the contempt from his words. “Why is it that you have come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I myself know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle.” Eliab did not understand David at all. He thought David was irresponsible, leaving the sheep unattended, but he was wrong. David had left the sheep with a shepherd. He hadn’t come to the battlefield out of mere curiosity but was sent as a messenger by their father. We, too, face similar situations in our lives. When we dedicate ourselves to the Lord’s work or start working on something with great meaning, we sometimes get treated coldly or be opposed by the people who we thought to be close and supportive. Let’s learn from David’s example. He became humble and did not retaliate. He ignored Eliab’s words, focusing instead on fulfilling the mission he was given. We, too, need not be disheartened by the voices of critics. If we walk in God’s will, a path will surely open for us.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please let me learn from David’s example. Allow me to walk silently in Your will. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.