What Was David Thinking?

“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” [1 Samuel 17.32]

Wow, what was David thinking?

I suppose a lot of things could have been going through David's mind at this point.

Perhaps David could have been thinking that since no one else would go (and probably die) that he would sacrifice himself for the cause.

Or, perhaps David could have been thinking, "I might get lucky..."

No, we actually know what David was thinking because he explained it clearly to Saul:

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the LORD be with you!” [1 Samuel 17.34-37]

David realized that his ability was entirely the work of the LORD. David was not focused on what he could do as much as he was focused on what needed to be done. 

David was confident that God would provide the way to accomplish whatever needed to be done. That is why he didn't mind at least trying out Saul's armor and sword. But, in trying them out, David realized they would not be helpful and so, resorted to what he knew and had history with, the weapons of a shepherd - a staff and a sling.

It always inspires me to consider David's thoughts as they related to his faith in God.

Father, help me to be so faithful to You in thought and action as was David at this point in his life.