David and the Giant

The familiar story of David and Goliath is often read as an underdog story exhorting readers to have courage like David in the face of whatever giants (i.e. obstacles) loom before us. But before we jump too quickly to apply this narrative on a personal level, it is important to set the story in its larger context. Otherwise, we might miss the main point and misidentify ourselves in the story. What helps is to consider how David functions as a character in this story.