Read 1 Samuel 17:1-58 (KJV)

This is the very familiar story of David and Goliath. Everyone knows this timeless account of how the Philistines threatened to destroy Israel, and how one man—though a giant—held the entire Israelite army in fear and despair. Not a single person had the courage to stand against him; not one had enough faith in God to believe He could deliver them.

Except for one shepherd boy named David. He was the youngest of eight sons, with seven older brothers—the three eldest being present at the battle. Yet even they were too afraid to face the giant Goliath. King Saul himself, a mighty man who stood head and shoulders above every other Israelite, was also afraid. Every man trembled in fear—except for a shepherd boy whose faith in the Almighty God was unshakable and unquestioning.

We all know how the story ends—David kills Goliath with a sling and a stone, then cuts off the giant’s head with Goliath’s own sword. When this happens, the entire Israelite army rises up and drives the Philistines into flight. That day, victory and freedom were won for the children of Israel. What a wonderful day!

BUT

No one realized that day the precedent and example the shepherd boy’s obedience and faith in God would set for future generations. One person’s obedience and faith—standing firm when no one else would—would bring forth multiplied faith and courage in the next generation.

Let’s read 2 Samuel 21:16-22 (KJV):

(16) And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.

(17) But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.

(18) And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

(19) And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

(20) And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

(21) And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.

(22) These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

Here we have Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, who was David’s nephew, slaying giants. We have Sibbechai the Hushathite, who slew a giant. We have Elhanan, who killed the brother of Goliath. And again, another of David’s nephews—Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David’s brother—also slew a giant. Some of these were David’s nephews slaying giants, even though David’s own brothers had once been too afraid to stand against Goliath.

If you read 2 Samuel 23:8–23 (KJV), you’ll find many more examples of men who singlehandedly defeated Israel’s enemies. For example, Adino slew 800 men at one time. Abishai lifted up his spear and killed 300. Benaiah slew two lionlike men of Moab, a lion in a pit, and an Egyptian warrior.

These verses give us many examples of mighty men of valor who stood up and fought for their country, their families, their king, and their God.

But where did it all start?
It started with a shepherd boy who had an unshakable faith in what his mighty God could do!

The Bible tells us that during the time of Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, they defeated Og, king of Bashan (who was a giant), along with the Anakims and the sons of Anak—all giants. But after that, there was an approximate 350-year gap during which there is no record of anyone slaying a giant.

That 350-year cycle was broken by David—a ruddy young man who was after God’s own heart. He was a lover of God’s Word, filled with a deep passion and determination that no one—giant or otherwise—would come against his people or his family, and certainly not “blaspheme the one true God of Israel.”

He alone stood for what was right, what was holy, and what was righteous. He alone believed that God could do the unthinkable—that God was not limited, and that He had all power and authority, even over a giant.

David’s actions that day opened the door, through his example, for the next generation to become giant killers. And it wasn’t just one person who was affected—multiple giant-slayers arose. They were people who believed that God would fight for them and through them, that with His help they could do anything—even slay a giant or defeat 800 men at once.

Not only was David’s own family impacted and inspired to become giant killers, but others throughout Israel found renewed strength in God through the example David set.

I believe that none of us fully realizes the impact our actions today can have on the next generation. The example we set and the choices we make don’t just affect our own children or families—they influence many others around us as well.

What would have happened to the children of Israel if David had not stood up against Goliath that day? There would likely be no 2 Samuel chapters 21 and 23, which tell of the many mighty men of valor who later stood against the giants and enemies of their time.

What will your impact be? What has your impact been?

If you haven’t been the example you should have been, it’s never too late to make a change—to obey the call of God on your life and become who He has called you to be. You can still make a positive impact on the next generation—on your children, your family, and even on countless others you may not realize you’re influencing.

It has always been my prayer to be the godly example I need to be for my girls—to raise them to be giant killers. But I don’t want to stop with my own children. I pray to be an example—a catalyst—for the next generation of giant killers. And I pray that you feel this same burden as well!

• A Redeemed Ruby

P.S. God laid this thought on my heart a few weeks—maybe even a month—ago, and I saved it in my notes for deeper study. Before I began writing it out, I was listening to some preaching messages from the East Coast Conference at First Pentecostal Church in Durham, North Carolina, with Pastor Nathaniel Urshan. One of the messages, preached by Bro. Joel Booker, was titled “Giant Killer Country.” It was an amazing message and such a confirmation of what I had already been feeling. If you have a chance to listen to it, please do—it helped and strengthened me tremendously!