David and Goliath Is Far

David and Goliath is far more than a simple story informing readers about the events in the story. David is characterized by many people as a modest young boy who went out and slew a giant. However, Goliath was no giant; he was a large, experienced warrior, but he was simply a man. Moreover, though David may have been a mere shepherd, he was not only a shepherd; he was God's anointed one who knew that he would have the power to defeat an enemy of Israel. Therefore, it is important to realize that the story of David and Goliath is an allegorical tale, with David playing the role of a young Israel and Goliath the Philistines. David is seemingly outmatched by his opponent Goliath, just as Israel is seemingly outmatched by its opponent Philistine. However, David and Israel have the power of the one true God, which gives them an advantage that could not be overcome by mere military might.

David is oftentimes portrayed as a modest hero, but when one reads the story in the context of the book of Samuel, it becomes clear that David is not modest. Prior to defeating Goliath, David is a young boy taking meals to his brothers in the field, but he is arrogantly upset that Goliath, who is uncircumcised, dares to taunt Israel. David is not a timid young man, despite his appearance, just like Israel is not a timid young people, despite its appearances. Instead, David draws strength from the idea that he has been anointed and chosen by God. Previously, he had been delivered from significant dangers, including lions and bears. Therefore, David feels confident that he could defeat Goliath because Goliath has defied God by taunting Israel. In this way, David not only serves as Israel's representative in the fight against Goliath, but he stands for Israel as it struggled to establish itself as a nation. God gives David victory over Goliath, which was a victory over the Philistines, an enemy that Israel had been fighting for generations. With this victory, David cements his future role as the king of Israel, by showing that he is the anointed one that God had given the power to lead his anointed people.

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Gerhard von Rad's statement that Israel had "the opinion that effective knowledge about God is the only thing that puts a man into right relationship with the objects of his perception" is one of the more insightful statements that one could make about the nation of Israel. He links this to the fear of God, but, of course, fear has a slightly different meaning than its common usages. It does not mean to be scared of God, though that element of fear is involved, but to have a healthy respect for God's awesome powers. Israel approached God from a dualistic manner. On the one hand, Israel understood that God was so far beyond humanity that it was impossible for mankind to really understand God. On the other hand, Israel knew that God had made these overtures to establish a relationship with Israel. For whatever reason, God had chosen Israel. Therefore, even if the Israelites had to acknowledge that they could not ever really completely understand God, they had this drive to try to understand Him.