David girded his sword on his clothing, and he tried to go; for he had not proved it. David said to Saul, I can't go with these; for I have not proved them. David put them off him.
David responded that if that was the criterion Saul wanted to use, he had already defeated two formidable beasts (1 Samuel 17:34). However, David’s real confidence lay in the fact that Goliath had set himself against the living God (1 Samuel 17:36). David viewed Goliath as just another predator that was threatening the safety of God’s flock, Israel, and the reputation of Israel’s God. [Note: See T. A. Boogaart, "History and Drama in the Story of David and Goliath," Reformed Review 38 (1985):209.] He gave credit to God for allowing him to kill the lion and the bear (1 Samuel 17:37). The same faith in Yahweh had inspired Jonathan’s deed of valor (1 Samuel 14:6). Saul again showed that he trusted in material things for success by arming David as he did (1 Samuel 17:38). Gordon wrote that Saul tried to turn David into an armadillo. [Note: Gordon, p. 157.] David preferred the simple weapon that he could handle best (1 Samuel 17:40).