Nearly everyone knows the general story of David and Goliath. Although this story is used for religious teachings in the Jewish and Christian faiths, there are several take-aways that can be used for personal and business purposes. Actually, the David and Goliath story has reached people of all nations and even is detailed in the Qur'an as having meaning to Muslims.
The summary of the story is as follows: David was a teenage Sheppard-boy, the youngest of 8 sons. He was called to bring food to some of his military brothers who were in a stand-off with the Philistine army. The champion of the Philistine warriors was Goliath, who was a giant of a man...as tall as the tallest basketball player and as big as the biggest football player. For several days Goliath had challenged the Israelites to send their own champion for a single-combat dual to decide the outcome of the war. David hears of the challenge and asks his king if he can represent the Israelites in the dual. David rejects his king's amour, but does collect 5 smooth stones from a nearby creek. Goliath is weighted with amour nearly from head to toe. After an exchange of a few words David uses his sling shot to score a direct hit into the skull of Goliath causing him to fall lifelessly to the earth. At that point, David becomes famous and a future king of Israel.
The story commentary focuses on David's faith as being the driving force for his victory. However, if you read the whole story you will realize that David just didn't show up as an underdog with a positive attitude. His function as Sheppard-boy, along with serving his family, prepared him for the "giant" encounter. In ancient times, the youngest had to care for the oldest. David spent most of his life serving his family's needs. This "care work" prepared him for his job to Sheppard sheep. Texts preceding the individual battle story details David practicing with his leather slingshot on trees and targets in preparation of protecting his flock. Additional accounts describe David encountering attacks by a bear and a lion where David kills these beasts in defense of these sheep. The occupation of a Sheppard carries several hazards that requires extreme preparation and a creative response to any given circumstance. David's preparation moves into the text of the individual battle as he collect's 5 stones from a nearby creek. There are two thoughts to David collecting 5 stones. Supposedly there was a rumor in the camp that Goliath had brothers, who could possibly retaliate regardless of the terms of the single-combat dual. David may have picked up additional arsenal for that reason or he may have wanted additional stones in the event of a misfire. Either way, the text personifies preparation.
When you read on either side of the story, it is clear that David had unknowingly prepared himself for battle and victory against Goliath. Preparation is defined as to make ready or putting one's self into proper condition. How many times do we fail to properly prepare for something gigantic in our business or personal lives? We should learn from David's example that advanced preparation for the known or unknown will allow us to face our personal giants. Maybe Ben Franklin says it better, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Advanced preparation allows us to achieve "giant" successes.
The summary of the story is as follows: David was a teenage Sheppard-boy, the youngest of 8 sons. He was called to bring food to some of his military brothers who were in a stand-off with the Philistine army. The champion of the Philistine warriors was Goliath, who was a giant of a man...as tall as the tallest basketball player and as big as the biggest football player. For several days Goliath had challenged the Israelites to send their own champion for a single-combat dual to decide the outcome of the war. David hears of the challenge and asks his king if he can represent the Israelites in the dual. David rejects his king's amour, but does collect 5 smooth stones from a nearby creek. Goliath is weighted with amour nearly from head to toe. After an exchange of a few words David uses his sling shot to score a direct hit into the skull of Goliath causing him to fall lifelessly to the earth. At that point, David becomes famous and a future king of Israel.
The story commentary focuses on David's faith as being the driving force for his victory. However, if you read the whole story you will realize that David just didn't show up as an underdog with a positive attitude. His function as Sheppard-boy, along with serving his family, prepared him for the "giant" encounter. In ancient times, the youngest had to care for the oldest. David spent most of his life serving his family's needs. This "care work" prepared him for his job to Sheppard sheep. Texts preceding the individual battle story details David practicing with his leather slingshot on trees and targets in preparation of protecting his flock. Additional accounts describe David encountering attacks by a bear and a lion where David kills these beasts in defense of these sheep. The occupation of a Sheppard carries several hazards that requires extreme preparation and a creative response to any given circumstance. David's preparation moves into the text of the individual battle as he collect's 5 stones from a nearby creek. There are two thoughts to David collecting 5 stones. Supposedly there was a rumor in the camp that Goliath had brothers, who could possibly retaliate regardless of the terms of the single-combat dual. David may have picked up additional arsenal for that reason or he may have wanted additional stones in the event of a misfire. Either way, the text personifies preparation.
When you read on either side of the story, it is clear that David had unknowingly prepared himself for battle and victory against Goliath. Preparation is defined as to make ready or putting one's self into proper condition. How many times do we fail to properly prepare for something gigantic in our business or personal lives? We should learn from David's example that advanced preparation for the known or unknown will allow us to face our personal giants. Maybe Ben Franklin says it better, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Advanced preparation allows us to achieve "giant" successes.
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