Goliath: Born for the Moment by Vance K. JacksonSýnishorn

The Least Likely. 

According to 1 Samuel 17:17-18 KJV, David was sent on an assignment by his father, Jesse, to deliver food to his brothers. Jesse had sent David on a simple errand. Jesse had no clue that his son, David, would come back with the head of Goliath in his hand.

1 Samuel 17:17–18 KJV declares, “And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.”

Notice in 1 Samuel 17:17–18 KJV, David did not wake up thinking that he was going to slay a giant. In fact, killing a giant was probably the last thing on David’s mind. Think about this for a moment. Jesse had sent his son away with cheese and bread in order to feed and serve others—but David came back, leading the army of Israel. David came back with the head of Goliath in his hand. What a remarkable feat!

More often than not, it is the least likely, and the overlooked, who God raises up to lead nations. It is hidden kings, like David, who God raises up to deliver His people out of bondage. It is the least likely, and the overlooked, those who are working behind the scenes—God brings them out of the shadows and on to global stages. Let God prepare you in private. Get ready. Stay ready. God is raising up a generation who will come back with the head of Goliath.

David’s private preparation and consecration positioned him to kill what others could not slay. Consecrate yourself in private. Serve in private and let God reward you openly.

Although God was privately preparing David for kingship—David served and honored his father faithfully while he was in the field. In fact, this is one of the many leadership principles that we can learn from David. Although David was born to lead nations and kill giants, David faithfully served in the field. 

Yes, you were born to lead industries and to take on “Goliath-sized problems”—you were also born to selflessly serve others. Leadership is born out of selfless service.

In 1 Samuel 16:12–13 KJV, Samuel had anointed David in front of Jesse and his brethren. Although David was anointed by Samuel, in the midst of his brethren and his father to be Israel’s next king, his father still kept him serving in the field—tending to his sheep. 

Even though David was anointed as king, David didn’t allow his lack of recognition from his family to deter his private preparation. Don’t get bitter in the wilderness. Stay focused and keep executing behind the scenes.