Goliath the champion philistine of Gath took his stand for forty days to defy the ranks of Israel, calling out eighty times for a man to fight against him. His war cry sent shivers down the spine of every single Israelite, that all of Saul’s generals and soldiers fled from the battle field. Jesse sensing the gravity of the situation, while packing some food for his three sons also sent ten cheeses through David, to be handed over to the commander, in whose troop his sons were positioned(1 Samuel 17:16-18).

Why send ten cheeses to the commander who was not a part of Jesse’s family?

Bible scholars confirm that Jesse was trying to bribe the commander from placing his sons in the front line of battle, fearing they might be killed. All that mattered to Jesse was the survival of his sons more than the victory of Israel. But David the shepherd boy, the youngest and least respected within the family was made of different mettle. While the Israelites thought that Goliath was too big to hit; David knew he was too big to miss. With just a sling and a stone, he got Goliath on the temple bone! (1 Samuel 17:49,50).

Jesse chose the path of survival like any ordinary man: but David took the challenge into the enemy’s camp. He knew that the Lord of hosts was with him.

Thought for the day: When the Spirit of the Lord rests upon an individual - life is no longer a means of survival but a challenge.