Goliath was indeed very intimidating! He was said to be six cubits and a span tall. By conversion that is over nine feet tall! Added to that was his helmet of bronze and coat of mail; the bronze armour on his legs and bronze javelin between his shoulders. As if those were not enough, he had a spear whose head weighed 600 shekels. Finally, he had a human shield going in front of him. With all these, he intimidated the army of Israel for 40 long days! He threw the gauntlet to the men of Israel to choose someone to fight him. It was a situation where the victory of one would mean victory for his entire side and his defeat the woe of the entire nation.

What differentiated David from the rest was his courage. With that virtue he slew lions and bears; and it was what felled Goliath.

David took the challenge and seemed to make an easy work of the battle. The first stone he hauled at the giant brought him down. Here we have a test case of a simple weapon accomplishing great feat. This is a quick reminder of what Paul would later state that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God. A small thing channelled through God becomes lethal in its effect. The most salient lesson for today, however, is that there was nothing that David employed in defeating Goliath that the rest soldiers who were humiliated for 40 days did not have access to. David picked five smooth stones from the brook which was commonly available. He challenged the giant in the name of the Lord; and all of them had access to that name. What differentiated David from the rest was his courage. With that virtue he slew lions and bears; and it was what felled Goliath. All of the spiritual weapons we have cannot profit us without a courageous heart.