The Courage of Youth

by Ed Pennewell
Published January 10, 2006

As the youth rounded the last ridge, he could see the camps in the hills on both sides of the valley. At first he was fearful, his father asked him to take the gift of supplies to his brothers, but knowing his father would not send him to a place of danger, he followed his orders. Taking the team of donkeys, laden with goods in a carriage, and went to where his brothers were camped.

He knew his brothers would be angry at him coming out there, but knew also that they would have need of the things he brought, and as his father had sent him, it was not like he came of his own will. Knowing ahead of time did not make things easier, however.

With the full light of day, the importance of the camp came to view, as those in the camps on the other side of the valley began their, some-what, morning ritual. Every morning they would send out their champion to shout out a challenge, with much insult, trying to taunt the others into acting out of hate towards their enemies, but the very size of the man was enough to instill fear.

In the morning light the youth walked in to the camp, asking what manner of thing this was, that the enemy was allowed to taunt his people so. Upon hearing the insults that were cast at them, the youth was amazed at the vileness of the enemy. To shout such things against his people, the chosen people of the only living God. Angered, that none stood up against this insult, he went searching for the leader of the army even against his brothers commands to remain hidden.

As soon as he found his brothers, they started in on him. Saying how it was no place for a young boy to be, and how he had came only to make himself look important for being in the camp. He assured them it was not so, and gave them the messages their father had sent, and the goods he was to deliver to them, but it did not please them at all.

"How is it this goes on," he asked the leader, "is there no one that will stand in the might of our God to go against this enemy?"

Soon his words were heard by the king and he was brought before him, and told how he was not able to stand against one such as the enemy’s champion. In this, the youth took heart and spoke out to his king.

"My Lord," he said, "I am but a lowly shepherd boy, but in times the lion and bear come against the flock and I must stand against them. Though fearful, I came against the lion and the bear, and the Lord our God protected me, and I escaped unharmed. Would He not do so now, as this one comes against His chosen people?"

The king then gave him leave to go, and blessed him that God would be with him. He gave to the youth armor and a sword, but they were too much for him, as they were made for a full man. So the youth took up a few stones and with his shepherd’s sling he went before the enemy’s champion and shouted out boldly.

"You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I stand in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you defy. This day will the Lord will deliver you into my hand; that all the earth may know, that there is a God in Israel. All shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear: for the battle belongs to the Lord's."

With only a sling in his hand David ran towards the enemy army, and taking up a stone in his sling he sent it flying out and it hit the Philistine's champion in the center of the forehead, and he was knocked to the ground.

Having no sword, David ran up to his enemy and with the enemies own sword, he killed him and cut off his head. Then the army of the Israelites ran foreword putting the enemy to the swords. That day the Lord had the victory by the hand of His servant, a lowly shepherd boy named David, who once again escaped from the hands of his enemies.

"1 Samuel 17:20-51"

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