David and Goliath: Humility and Faith

The story of David and Goliath is another confirmation of David's humbleness as a tzadik. The Philistines gathered their armies, and Goliath, the giant, challenged the Israelites. Saul and all Israel were dismayed and afraid. Goliath taunted them for 40 days. Jesse sent David to check on his brothers and bring them food. David was absent from this epic battle, showing he was overlooked as a future king and man of war, suggesting his humbleness as the first form of Tsade. He was being overlooked, perhaps because he was Saul's armor-bearer or humbled by God for future purposes. This points to the first form of Tsade: humility.

As the battle unfolds, David arrives. Goliath presented himself again, taunting the Israelites. When the men of Israel told David about Goliath and the reward for killing him, the man after God's own heart saw the moment. As we read this, let us receive the anointing of the letter Tsade, witnessing the transition from David's humility to being lifted up and exalted.

When David spoke to the men, his brother Eliab's anger was aroused, saying, "Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle." This is the Tsade first form, the humble job. Eliab humiliated David, but did not realize David was about to be exalted. David responded, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?"

When Saul heard David's words, he sent for him. David said, "Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." Saul replied, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." David countered, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep. And when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went after it, and I struck it and delivered the lamb from its mouth. And when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard and struck, and I killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. Moreover, David said, 'The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.'" Saul then said, "Go, and the Lord be with you."

This is amazing. Look at David's faith and confidence. He rose from humility, Tsade first form, to the exaltation of Tsade, the final form. This is how the Lord works. He takes those whom people don't rely on, those they think are not good enough. Perhaps you've been there. But if God has anointed you, He has anointed you for His work. Like David, you are a tzadik. When people come against you, don't let it affect your confidence or faith. David had confidence that the God of Israel would give him victory. All the others were scared, filled with the spirit of fear. Only David was not. Saul also had the spirit of fear.

God raised this man in the field, in humility. He fought lions and bears. David was a formidable warrior, but people didn't recognize it. God raised him up in the pastures. John the Immerser, Yeshua, Elijah – all were raised in the wilderness. David was the same. No one had the faith David had in the God of Israel. That's why God chose him over his brothers and others, even over Saul, who lacked that faith and was not a tzadik like David.

David faced opposition throughout his life, even from his own family. His life was full of trials and tribulations, some his fault, some not. But he was a tzadik no matter what, a great repenter when he made mistakes. He was chosen by God to be that great tzadik.

In his exchange with Saul, David humbled himself, calling himself a servant, and convinced Saul of his experience fighting. David's humility, zeal, and love for Yah gained him favor. It takes great humility and strength in Yah to do what David accomplished. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." David did this, and so did Yeshua for all mankind.

Besides Yeshua, David truly epitomizes the letter Tsade, or tzadik, one who is humbled before Elohim. As we have seen and will continue to see with King David, when a person lives in humility, Elohim will exalt and lift them up to their position and calling.

1 Samuel 17:4-51 describes David's encounter with Goliath. David took his staff, chose five smooth stones, and approached the Philistine. Goliath disdained him, seeing only a youth. David declared, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand... that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." As Goliath advanced, David hurried, ran, took a stone from his bag, slung it, and struck the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath fell. David prevailed with a sling and a stone, killing Goliath. He then took Goliath's sword and cut off his head.

David was a formidable warrior with faith in the Lord alone. He didn't have a sword, but took his sling and five smooth stones. The number five represents grace. David understood this. He took five stones but only needed one, signifying that grace is sufficient, and only one Elohim gives the power. The power to sink a stone into Goliath's forehead was from Elohim. Goliath fell, and David beheaded him with his own sword.

We see the transition of Tsade: David's humility from the beginning of his life, and then his gradual exaltation. It doesn't happen overnight. It's a process of exaltation that allows us to remain humble. The Lord sometimes exalts us gradually, as with Daniel and Joseph. The key is to remain humble during exaltation. We must remember humility, like our Savior, and when exalted, maintain that humility. David, though a tzadik, sometimes failed, as we all do. He was a great repenter, and that's what a tzadik does.

David's journey from humble beginnings to exaltation exemplifies the concept of Tsade. A person who lives in humility before Yah will be exalted for God's purposes. From tending sheep to being anointed king, from being a humbled servant to miraculously defeating Goliath, King David was a righteous tzadik who will be exalted as prince in the millennial kingdom.