Preparing for Battle

Saul was a coward! He had armor, but knew he could not meet Goliath in his own physical strength. With ostensible prudence he at first refused David permission to fight because of his youth. Then he gave further evidence of his folly by attempting to give his own armor to David.” “Though Saul had given David permission to accept Goliath’s challenge, the king had small hope that David would be successful in his courageous undertaking. Command was given to clothe the youth in the king’s own armor. The heavy helmet of brass was put upon his head, and the coat of mail was placed upon his body; the monarch’s sword was at his side. Thus equipped, he started upon his errand, but erelong began to retrace his steps. The first thought in the minds of the anxious spectators was that David had decided not to risk his life in meeting an antagonist in so unequal an encounter. But this was far from the thought of the brave young man. When he returned to Saul he begged permission to lay aside the heavy armor, saying, ‘I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them.’ He laid off the king’s armor, and in its stead took only his staff in his hand, with his shepherd’s scrip [pouch] and a simple sling.” It must be remembered David was of average stature, while Saul stood over six feet tall.

The king’s armor would have been heavy, but more than that, it would have been oversized and awkward on David. While Saul hoped David would be successful, he trusted his armor to protect the lad. When David respectfully asked to remove the king’s armor, his concern was twofold: (1) he had not trained while wearing it, and it hampered his movements; and (2) more importantly, the armor showed distrust in the power of God to protect him.

“David could not fight in Saul’s armor—he must be himself. . . . God wants men who will be themselves, men who will learn from each day’s experience what they need to know in order to solve tomorrow’s problems.” Saul trusted his armor; David trusted his God.