Keep Your Focus

1 Samuel 17:33

New International Version (NIV)

Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

A Story For the Weekend

Sometimes, we look for opportunities to retaliate against those who have wronged us, holding onto pride and waiting to respond. However, is this approach truly constructive or aligned with our values?

Imagine yourself as young David. Your father has tasked you with delivering supplies to your brothers at the front lines (1 Samuel 17:17-37). You arrive as the army prepares for battle, the tension is high. Across the valley, you see a nine – foot – ten – inch – tall giant. His armory is unreal: a bronze helmet, a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels, bronze greaves, a bronze javelin, spear shaft like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. 

“Now, that’s impressive,” you tell yourself. “But why is everybody murmuring to themselves like cowards?” Suddenly, you hear a deep voice like that of a roaring river echoing across the deep valley between the two armies, and a soldier drops to the ground, his shield tumbling into the valley. Recognizing the need to act, you ask yourself why everyone is hiding or fleeing. So, you ask a soldier, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?” Your older brother Eliab hears you question a soldier and shouts at you with a sharp rebuke:

“Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

Your mouth opens, you roll your eyes, and spin around in disbelief.

“Now, what have I done…can’t I even speak?” (29).

Undeterred, you speak with other soldiers. News of your inquiries spread, and soon King Saul summons you before him. He assesses you carefully and says:

“You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth” (33).

You draw on David’s courage and stand ready to answer the king.

“My lord, when I was tending my father’s sheep, a lion and a bear attacked the flock. Though I was afraid, I chased them down and fought them off to protect the sheep. With God’s help, I struck them and rescued the lambs from their mouths. I may be young, but I have faced danger before—and I will not run from it now.”

“This is my opportunity to let Eliab eat his words for how he embarrassed me before the army,” you tell yourself.

“My lord, I have a witness to my claim. My brother Eliab can confirm this truth, my lord. He is one of your soldiers.”

“Where is Eliab?” the king demanded. “Bring him here immediately.” Eliab comes before the king, bows, and says, “At your service, my lord the king.”

The king asks, “This young man claims you can speak to his actions while tending your father’s flock. What can you tell me?”

Eliab freezes. He shifts his feet from toes to heels and starts tapping his thighs. Saul looks straight at him and nods, but he quickly looks away. Suddenly realizing King Saul’s focus on Goliath’s threat, Eliab composes himself and prepares to speak.

Your heart rejoices as you watch your brother’s body skirmishes.

“Please, brother, tell the king about how I killed the lion and the bear in the field when they attacked the sheep in the wilderness.”

A quick smile flashes across your face as you see Eliab struggle to contain his frustration. King Saul, unaware of the tension, interrupts.

“Eliab, did this young man really kill a lion and a bear with his bare hands? Is it true?”

Eliab clears his throat, beads of sweat settling on his brow as he struggles to conceal his bitterness, and replies. You cupped your mouth and coughed with joy.

“Yes, my lord the king. This young brother of mine killed a lion and a bear with his bare hands when those wild beasts came and carried off some sheep from our father’s flock he was keeping in the wilderness.”

Under pressure, Eliab bows to the king, glances at you, and leaves quickly.

“What’s wrong with that man?” the king asks.

You shrug, appearing puzzled.

“I am not sure, my lord. My brother sometimes behaves unpredictably. Please forgive his rudeness; he is a good man.”

Internally, you feel a sense of triumph at this insignificant victory.

Now your imagination leaves you with the reality of David and his brother Eliab’s rivalry. You realize why God called David, a man after his own heart. You have so much to learn from him. David did not seek revenge. He responded to Eliab’s criticism and then focused on the greater task of taking Goliath out. 

So, stay focused on your mission and avoid distractions from the malicious. Pursuing every minor conflict may cause you to overlook the genuine threat. David focused on Goliath, not Eliab, and won the victory.

Let’s Pray Together

Father, help me be like David, who did not let Eliab’s jab distract him from the greater purpose of his life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.