The Instinct of Reputation: The Story of DavidSample

Clothing and Disguise

Most people associate David with his famous defeat of Goliath. David does what no other Israelite man was willing to do, not even Saul. David stepped forward to face that great Philistine warrior on the battlefield. Certainly, the danger of that task was a kind of temptation; perhaps David had moments of fear, but his resolve and determination are part of what makes the story so compelling.

There was another moment of temptation in David’s fight with Goliath that often goes unrecognized. David sought the permission of Saul to take on the fight, and along with his permission, Saul offered David his royal armor.

The Israelite army was not well equipped. As king, Saul certainly had the best. David had just arrived on the battlefield. He was a shepherd, no armor required. As the representative fighter of the Israelite army, Saul offered David the Israelite’s best armor. If nothing else, David could at least look the part.

Scripture tells us that David tried it on, but he recognized he didn’t have experience with it. It wasn’t true. He chose instead to face Goliath as he was, a shepherd with a sling.

It may seem like a small thing, but the stories of David and Saul are filled with similar allusions to clothing. Jonathan offered David his princely robe. David cut away the hem of Saul’s garment. Saul reached out and tore Samuel’s cloak. And Saul was stripped naked by the presence of the Holy Spirit. There are many more examples.

It is one of the major themes of the two men’s lives. They are recognized by their garments but also tested by them. At times, their clothing disguises the real humanity of their lives. At times they remove the royal robes and embrace the truth.

In Hebrew, there is a close association between the word for clothing and disguise. In English, we don’t have the same clear association. But we do use the word cloak to describe an outer garment and a means of disguise. You can’t miss this double theme in the original Hebrew.

A major part of David’s test, both before Goliath and throughout his life, is how he will handle the temptation of defining himself by outward appearances. Would David lose himself to the image of being king, or could he hold on to enough integrity to recognize his own broken and humble humanity?

In many ways that is the question of all our lives. As we achieve success in school, careers, finances, and possessions, can we recognize who we still are beneath the visible appearance of success? Has protecting our own reputations become more important to us than the truth?

When David gets it right, it is powerful. We recognize he is strongest when he is humble and honest. When he gets it wrong, it goes very wrong, leading him to acts of murder, deceit, and sin. The consequences are devastating.

The questions of reputation and integrity are ones we must all learn to honestly face.

What are the consequences of obsessing over your reputation and public image?