1st Samuel 17:23 And as he (David) talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spoke according to the same words: and David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
When we study the entire narrative closely, we’ll observe that Saul was cowering in fear, and we are not to criticize him for his feelings, because they are the natural outworking of deliberate disobedience, and a seared conscience. Thus, we have a dire situation where an existential threat is facing the nation, and some are rightfully afraid and running for cover, while at the same time David is confident about taking on Goliath.
In David’s mind, he does not view the situation as being risky, but rather as being an opportunity to magnify The name of God. Thus, we are pressed to ask the haunting question again: What makes David so confident in an obviously dangerous situation? It has to do with the song of his experience, for his confidence is based upon literal experiences that he had gone through previously with God.
And that is why we see him speaking as he did. His offer is not a boastful, presumptuous proposal, but rather a fact- based one that is the fruit of faith and obedience to all God has commanded, to the best of his ability and knowledge. Look closely at the two completely different attitudes in the face of a great risk to the nation.
1st Samuel 17: 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!