It seemed like an ordinary day in David’s life. His three oldest brothers were in the army of Israel, currently stationed in the Valley of Elah. Jesse, David’s father, sent David several times to check on his sons and to bring them food (1 Samuel 17:15-18). David would go back and forth between shepherding his father’s sheep in Bethlehem and bringing food to his brothers in the Valley of Elah (a distance of about 15 miles). Little did he know this day, recorded in 1 Samuel 17:19-58, would be one of the most important days of his life. This small observation reminds us of our ignorance regarding the future. As Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” David had no idea this day would be one that generations would remember for thousands of years. William Blaikie insightfully comments, “Is it not a good habit, as you kneel each morning, to think, ‘For aught I know, this may be the most important day of my life. The opportunity may be given me of doing a great service in the cause of truth and righteousness; or the temptation may assail me to deny my Lord and ruin my soul. O God, be not far from me this day; prepare me for all that Thou preparest for me!’” David, being a man after God’s own heart (13:14) and filled with God’s Spirit (16:13), was prepared for what this day brought. As Goliath came out of the Philistine camp for the 81^st(?) time (17:16), mocking the army of Israel and asking for a man to fight him, David happened to be present. When he heard the taunts of the giant, instead of feeling afraid like the rest of the Israelites, he was upset: “…who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (17:26). David had a completely different perspective on the situation. Instead of his heart failing him (17:32) his heart was filled with zeal for God’s name. While many Christians apply this passage in a man-centered way (e.g. “this passage encourages me that God will give me strength to defeat the giants in my life,” giants of debt, anxiety, difficult relationships, addiction, etc.), the text really is not about this. Goliath does not represent a big challenge in David’s life that he needs help to overcome. Rather, Goliath was an enemy of God who was mocking the LORD! It was David’s zeal for God’s name that moved him to engage the giant in battle. The main application of the text is not, “God will help you overcome your giants.” No, the main application is, “God is looking to use those who are zealous to defend His glory.” The passage is God-centered and our application should be the same. May He find in our hearts the same zeal that directed David’s heart!