1 SAMUEL 17.37: And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (ESV)
In the 16th chapter of First Samuel, Samuel the prophet went to the home of Jesse and anointed David, his son, to be the next king of Israel. The manner in which Samuel anointed David left no doubt as to the significance of this impromptu ceremony. David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons and all of older sons had been passed over when God instructed Samuel to select David.
David was probably a late teenager when this took place and it appears that previously he was considered the lowest ranking son among all of the others. David was the shepherd of the family, and this responsibility did not afford him the likelihood of being held in high esteem.
But this selection and anointing of David to be the second king of Israel did not appear to change his daily activities or the way his brothers viewed him. David was a shepherd before the anointing and he continued to be a shepherd afterwards. I believe the verses of chapter 16.14-23 are not intended to communicate a chronological linkage between David’s anointing and the events of chapter 17. I believe that prior to and including the early events of chapter 17, David still functioned primarily as a shepherd. And as can be seen in verse 28 of chapter 17, David’s oldest brother treated him with derision and described David’s motives as evil. But David’s responsibilities as a shepherd had forged into him resolute character and a readiness to confront danger.
And so as the fight to the death with Goliath will unfold, it is from David’s work as a shepherd that David will have the faith and experience and skill to confront the peril of the giant warrior.
But even as a young shepherd, David knew that God was the source of his strength and the One who gives the victory. And David’s faith in God was so resolute that he would indeed go into combat with the most fearsome of enemies. God regarded David as a person after His own heart, as is recorded in 1 Samuel 13.14, and the foundation and faith in David’s heart that would give him the courage to fight Goliath was spoken by David in verse 37 above.