How could David have been referred to as a man of war when he was not yet even old enough to have joined the army, as his three oldest brothers had?
When Saul was afflicted by an evil spirit, and his servants were looking for someone to play the lyre for him in order to soothe him, one of Saul's servants suggested David, and referred to him as a "man of war". How could this have been possible since David was the youngest of Jesse's eight sons, and only his three oldest brothers are mentioned as having been old enough to follow Saul into battle (1 Samuel 17:13)? (I realize that David had shown valor (1 Samuel 16:18) in killing a lion and a bear while tending his father's flock (1 Samuel 17:34-36), but that was not war.)
1 Samuel 16:18
ESV - 18 One of the young men answered, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.
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Asked September 20 2017
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Anonymous
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Emo Tenorio
I humbly submit for your consideration; that among the Jewish people there is a cultural tradition of prophesying over their young children. It is common for grandparents and parents to introduce their children [prophesying a child's future life path] example; my son the doctor or my son the lawyer etc. (Proverbs 24:12) Another aspect to consider is that one's actions whether good or bad and the reputation that is generated or created by those actions, will live on long after the actions themselves and in some cases forever. (1 Samuel 17:48; Judges 4:9; Proverbs 24:10) Bottom Line: David from a very young age was shown to be of good stock and strong heart, more than able to defend his family's flock against beasts that could easily cripple or kill him. And thus found worthy to stand among the MEN at a fire as an equal. This warrior reputation was not something flippantly handed out as party favor baubles to everyone. But rather one had to earn that right; as peoples lives would later depend upon your veracity to stand and deliver hell on earth to an enemy if needed. (Zechariah 10:5; Jeremiah 1:19; Psalms 149:6; Psalms 149:9; 1 Chronicles 11:14; 2 Samuel 10:12; 2 Samuel 22:35) A reputation is a jacket which one wears, that is a direct consequence of your actions or lack there of in this life. And sadly many of the current generation do not understand this very basic concept friend. Mischievously trading a bequeathed good name for mere nickels and dimes, but most often for nothing at all. (Psalms 119:98; Proverbs 22:12) "To educate a man in mind and not in morals, Is to educate a menace to society." Theodore Roosevelt In the Lord's freedom.......warrior on
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