Day 19: 1 Samuel 17:1–30

David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul, but David kept going back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s flock in Bethlehem (vv. 14–15).

We arrive today at an account in Scripture that has captured the imaginations of every little boy and girl who ever sat in a circle of small, wooden chairs in a Sunday school room. This is the story of David and Goliath.

But today, I want you to notice just this one thing: David knew the sting of disapproval by his brothers. When his oldest brother, Eliab, heard him talking about Goliath, he became angry. Eliab accused David of wrong motives: “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle” (v. 28).

Eliab said everything he could to discourage David. He said he didn’t belong; he made fun of David’s trade; he accused him of conceit and deceit.

David’s response, “Now what have I done?” (v. 29)—perhaps more clearly understood when you turn it around a little to read, “What have I done now?”—evidenced the fact that Eliab and David were not at odds for the first time. I have to wonder if Eliab’s response resulted from almost being anointed king. The first drop of oil had almost fallen on his head when God stopped Samuel and chided him for looking on the outward appearance.

I’m not sure anyone can encourage or discourage us like family. The views of our family members toward us are very convincing, aren’t they? If people who know us the best encourage us the least, we have few chances to develop confidence.

David remained undaunted by Eliab’s criticisms for one reason: David took God’s Word over the opinions of others. As a Hebrew lad, David heard the promises of victory God made to the nation that would call upon His name. David believed those promises.

Whenever you feel alone, rejected, or misunderstood, stand your situation up next to David’s. The boy had as pure a heart as humanly possible, and his own family blasted him. Ouch. I don’t want to minimize your hurts, but in David you can certainly find someone who has been there, done that.