The Rest of the David-Goliath Story
David versus Goliath is the quintessential story of winning in the face of insurmountable challenges.
Most know the story of the shepherd boy, with a sling and stone, who defeated the mighty warrior. You may not know the rest of the story.
When David – the shepherd boy – arrived in military camp he was bringing food for his brothers. He was a young errand boy with a girly fanny pack, at best.
He saw the giant – insurmountable obstacle – and volunteered to take him on. But, they laughed him off. He was young. He wasn’t trained or experienced.
Lesson one: Great ideas come from unexpected people.
The trained military recruits, including the king, tried to equip David with the best military technology available.
Lesson two: Those who aren’t doing anything love to tell others how to do something.
David tried their suggestions but knew they wouldn’t work. He tossed away current technology and faced the giant with a shepherd’s sling and stone. He did it all wrong.
Lesson three: Bring yourself to the challenge.
David succeeded in spite of those who tried to “transform” him. Warren Bennis said, “Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself.”
There is, of course, a faith component in the story. The principles stand none the less.
Great insights and practical principles for application in our daily lives. Thanks again for your work Dan.
Thank you Angel. It’s a privilege to serve.
Lesson #4 Because the path isn’t the one you planned out carefully, doesn’t mean success won’t come from this new detour. Make do. Move forward. Just like David.
Dan, I LOVED your first three lessons. Truth resonates. Dauna
Great add, Dauna. Thank you
This story is my favorite story in the Bible and it was the one that inspired me to go into ministry. My first ministry was called “God’s Armor Ministry” because of David didn’t wear Saul’s armor. He already had on God’s more powerful armor.
Thanks for jumping in today Richardo!
Welcome!
Dan, this is a great post in which you bring out some amazing truths using an amazing story as the catalyst. When I was just starting out in my career I was asked to speak before an audience experienced leaders. I told my boss I felt there was no way I could say anything meaningful to this group given my youth and inexperience. He encouraged me to speak from my heart, not from my experience! It was some of the best advice I’ve ever been given.
Thanks Bruce. I have to keep giving myself the advice you were given! 🙂
David also had flawless execution, because he fully understood his tools. More of what exists is never innovation.
Great add Bill… love the “more of what exists is never innovation.”
Dear Dan,
This is an insightful story. The story shows the power of courage and belief. David strengthened his belief and this empowered him to fight with the Goliath. This reminds us about the circumstances that challenges us. And we either fight or surrender to those circumstances. Now, this choice comes from our belief. When we are ready to accept worst possible outcomes, that is the point where we dare to act. But, when we are not ready to accept the worst possible result, we invite fear. And that forces us to either withdraw or surrender to the situation. So, I believe that our perception about our belief makes all the difference in our life. This determines our path of success or failure.
Ajay, BANG… you’re nailing it today. Love the idea that accepting the worst possible outcome frees us from fear. I know it doesn’t mean we stop trying…It means we give our best and let the chips fall where they may. Cheers
This can be aptly summarized by the saying that “Do your BEST, but prepare for the WORST”.
The last point is so true. After reading so much about leadership and searching for insight it’s become apparent in the last few years that leadership becomes much easier when we use our God given gifts and let that leadership happen naturally and honestly. Thanks Dan.
Thanks for you comment and best wishes for your leadership journey.
Dan, thank you for sharing this great Bible story about leadership. As many times as I have read or taught it in Sunday school, I haven’t thought of it in this way..great post!
Thanks for the encouragement Tina and for consistently adding value to LF readers.
I look forward to reading your posts each day and learn a lot from them. Thank you!
Many inexperienced people succeed because no pessimist ever told him or her that it could not be done…Cheers to all the Davids out there!!
KaChing… I love “Inexperienced people succeed because no pessimist ever told him or her it could not be done” Great add… 🙂
Great analysis Dan – I love the meaning you have found in this story. I particularly like the Bennis quote at the end, and the idea of leadership being synonymous with becoming yourself. It strikes a chord with a lot of strength based leadership principles – trusting in your strengths to deliver a result, rather than being convinced your weaknesses preclude you from success.
Thank you Robbie. I’m a believer in strength based leadership.
I like this very much. Especially how you presented the lessons we all ought to learn from it .
Thanks Gracious.
Bring yourself…I’m going to remember that one.
Thank you Red. I suppose it suggests the importance of knowing ourselves.
Great post! I have learned the main idea from my own experience. Always the good ideas come when you least expect them and seem a little crazy. It’s a fortune game, nonetheless.
I don’t agree with the affirmation that becoming a leader is equal to becoming yourself because not everybody is born with what it takes to rule people. I believe that it’s true if you are seeing from a different perspective, that of becoming mature and in control of yourself. Mastering your own being, but this doesn’t also imply you can rule others as well. You can become a teacher.
Thanks Diana. Some believe leaders are born… Strength based leadership suggests as much, as you indicate.
Perhaps part of this discussion includes the definition of leadership. If leadership is influence or ruling. Cheers!
Dan, Once again i like the way you have used the scriptures to teach about principles.
I indeed like Lesson three: “Bring yourself to the challenge.”
This, if done often, will make us victors and certainly leaders in our/any field of endeavour.
Three massive lessons that have survived the test of time!
thanks for the reminder