See Psalm 112:4–5
David was once a mere shepherd from a small town miles from Jerusalem. He was the youngest of many brothers and showed little promise of what he would become until God called him from tending sheep to become the future king of Israel. He was chosen because God could see what others could not see. David had all the qualities of righteousness that a good king must have. He was gracious, compassionate, generous, and just. He had a brave and steadfast heart. But beyond all that, he was “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).
David had an opportunity to demonstrate these qualities even before he became king when he faced the Philistine giant Goliath, a warrior so powerful that no Israelite would dare do battle with him. When David stepped forward, he was told, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy.” (1 Samuel 17:33).
David defied the common sense of those around him and said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (v. 37). David had the confidence that flows from a heart that trusts in God. He knew “that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s . . .” (v. 47). His courage came from the sure knowledge that “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” (Psalm 18:32).
—Eric Kampmann, Signposts