David
The story of David, who became Israel’s king, is too well-known to need elaboration. Who among us, both as child and adult, has not thrilled to the narrative of David’s encounter with the devilish Goliath?

What a breathtaking episode — the soldiers of Israel on one side of the valley of Elah, the defiant Philistine champion on the other. Morning and evening for forty days, Goliath had challenged Israel to combat, but they were frozen in fear (1 Sam. 17:10-16).

When David arrived on the scene he was distressed at the timidity of his Hebrew kinsmen and volunteered to take on the infidel. But he was disdained as a mere “youth” — initially by king Saul himself, and then by Goliath (1 Sam. 17:33,42). Never mind; God was with this “youth,” who may have been about twenty-two or so at the time. Goliath was slain and the Philistine force was routed. Edersheim called this victory “the turning point in the history of the theocracy”.

Again, the Lord invested in youth, and the cause of truth triumphed.

( WAYNE JACKSON)