Have you heard the story of David and Goliath? It can be found in Bible in 1 Samuel 17. It tells of how David, a young shepherd boy fought and killed the giant Goliath, when the whole of the Israelite army was afraid to do so. It’s one I’ve heard a hundred times. (Probably not exaggerating!)

Here’s a few facts I picked up along the way:

• David was only at the battle as a messenger/delivery boy.
• He did not listen to others when they belittled him.
• David knew his calling. He knew this was his fight to win.
• He had already been anointed as Israel’s next king.
• King Saul agreed to let him fight Goliath, but only if he wore Saul’s armour.
• David was King Saul’s armour bearer…

Wait! What?!?

Let’s back up…

 And David came to Saul, and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.”

-1 Sam 16v21-22 NRSV-

Baker’s Encyclopaedia of the Bible list armour bearer as:

One who carried the armor and weapons of a warrior.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary says:

An officer selected by kings and generals because of his bravery, not only to bear their armour, but also to stand by them in the time of danger…

David was Saul’s armour bearer. He was the one who carried around Saul’s sword and shield, helmet and breastplate. He watched Saul train and probably trained with him. When it came to fighting, he wasn’t a complete novice. (Beside the fact he fought the lion and the bear.) But last night, when I read these verses again, God showed me something:

David knew the armour wouldn’t fit!

Yet, he obeyed Saul and tried it on anyway.

As I continued to read (of course, David won his fight against Goliath) I noticed another verse:

 On David’s return from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand. Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.” -1 Sam 17v57-58 NRSV-

Wait again!

Didn’t I just read that:

And David came to Saul, and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. -1 Sam 16v21 NRSV-

David served Saul. Saul loved David…greatly. Yet he forgot who David was?!

Now I think I understand why David was called “a man after God’s own heart”

David, the boy anointed King, serving the man he would replace. He knew his own calling. His dreams and aspirations were not the same as Saul’s. But still he tried on Saul’s armour. Still he obeyed. His talents were overlooked and he, himself, forgotten. Still he remained humble.

In later years, David fled for his life as Saul tried to kill him. All David ever did was serve him. He never spoke an ill word of his king. Twice, David had the opportunity to kill Saul. But he would not lift a finger against the Lord’s anointed. When Saul died, David did not rejoice. He wept.

This was a man with a true servant heart.

Who are you serving today? Have you, like David, laid down your own dreams and passions only to be overlooked and forgotten? Be encouraged that God has not forgotten you. Nor are your days of service ever wasted.

God has given us all our own hopes and dreams. But He can do nothing with them while we still hold onto them. We must choose to lay down our own calling, and faithfully serve – until the time comes– for we know we really serve God, not man.

Remember: David did become King.

Jesus said…”Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.” -John 12v24-26 NRSV-

Stay faithful! 🙂