“Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.” 1 Samuel 17.25-31
Now David was simply asking what was going on with the “Goliath situation.” He had been present while all the talk was happening, so he inquired about it. “What is the crime in this?” David asked his older brother, Eliab. “What have I done? Can’t I even speak?”
We know something about older brothers. The age difference between Eliab and the youngest, David, must have been significant. Eliab had likely been enjoying attention, leadership opportunities, and fame his entire life. As the eldest, he was the one set to inherit from Jesse and probably acted as another father figure to David and his brothers.
So, when Eliab heard that his little brother—“the brat”—was up from tending the sheep and now interfering in “men’s business,” he was furious. He said to David, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
David’s reaction was essentially, “What???” All he wanted to know was what was happening with the giant. As he continued to inquire, someone overheard him, and his words were reported to King Saul.
It still amazes me that no mature soldier stepped up to take the challenge. Even if they thought they would die, why not die representing Israel and God? Instead, it took a young pre-teen boy (about 13 to 15 years old) to defeat the giant. David wasn’t stronger than his brothers or the soldiers of Israel—but he had faith in God, and that faith made all the difference.
David’s inquiry led to an opportunity that placed him directly in the path of his destiny. It was God’s will that David face Goliath and gain sudden fame. We never know what simple inquiries might lead to opportunities where we step into God’s plan. God invites us to join Him in His work. When we make ourselves available—sometimes by just showing up—He will most certainly use us for His purposes.
So today, show up! Ask questions about what God is doing and where He is working. Then, wait to see how He will use you.
“O Lord God, it’s a cold day in the new year. I am thankful for Your stories of old that highlight the relationship between Yourself and humanity. Thank You that You continue to use us in Your story. Your narrative to save the world is ongoing. Thank You for allowing us to know You and grow closer to You and Your Kingdom. I praise You, God, and exalt Your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen