Some men heard what David had said, and they told Saul, who sent for him.
How Saul must have been disappointed to see a mere boy standing in front of him when he was no doubt expecting an imposing soldier that he had somehow failed to notice in the past!
David said to Saul, “Your Majesty, no one should be afraid of this Philistine! I will go and fight him.”
How I love the manner in which David siezes the opportunity! And that without fear. Oh, Father, I so wish to respond to the challenges in life with that sense of anticipation.
“No,” answered Saul. “How could you fight him? You’re just a boy, and he has been a soldier all his life!”
Saul rightfully judges according to appearances – that’s his responsibility as king. Better said, he is at least putting what he sees to the test.
“Your Majesty,” David said, “I take care of my father’s sheep. Any time a lion or a bear carries off a lamb, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb.”
The good shepherd who puts his life at risk for the flock (John 10:11).
“…if the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death.”
David doesn’t kill indiscriminately or out of vengeance (after all, those predators are just doing what’s in their nature); he only kills when the situation calls for it.
“I have killed lions and bears, and I will do the same to this heathen Philistine, who has defied the army of the living God.”
Here again his intervention is called for / well justified. David is in his right to kill this man.
“The Lord has saved me from lions and bears; he will save me from this Philistine.”
David’s faith was founded solidly in past experience: he had consistently lived it. How about me? Have a built up such a foundation such that I can confidently spring forward to face the next challenge? I do hope so, Lord!