My overlooked takeaway in the story of David vs Goliath
Even if you have never been to church, read a Bible story, or have minimized exposure to most stories from Abrahamic religions, you are likely at least familiar with the tale of David versus Goliath. It’s the focus of a Malcolm Gladwell book. Any sports fan watching an underdog take on a perennial powerhouse has, at minimum, heard the analogy, "it's a David versus Goliath matchup...".
Recapping the Story
Most of us know the general gist of the story. There's a giant warrior named Goliath, challenging everyone in Israel's army to take him on. Everyone is scared to. Then, a young, not-a-warrior-by-any-description shepherd kid named David decides to give it a go and kills Goliath with a sling and a couple of rocks.
I was rereading it the other day and noticed a detail that never comes up in Sunday School or most oral retellings of the story. It's David's life leading up to that moment squaring off with Goliath. Here's the conversation straight from the Biblical text:
Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine."
Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."
Much of the focus is on the actual event - David defeating Goliath. Most retellings gloss over David's life up until that point. He had spent his life as a shepherd, not a profession held in the highest regard. David spent years protecting and caring for sheep, doing what was expected of his occupation fighting off wild animals with whatever he had at his disposal. He was faithful in getting the smaller tasks taken care of daily, and with excellence.
David was prepared when a moment came for him to take on a much bigger task (killing a giant). Consistency with the small day-to-day tasks ultimately prepared him for this big challenge...and he knew it. He accomplished it counterintuitive to conventional wisdom: taking down a military foe without needing heavy armor or equipment.
The story continues after that, with David eventually becoming a great king.
What's the takeaway here?
I was out running one morning, and that part stood out in my mind. David had spent years focusing on doing the small things well because it was the right thing to do. There was no established path to military glory in what he was doing. However, those small things made him ready for bigger opportunities.
Professionally, it's incredibly easy to overlook the essential day-to-day tasks trying to find the big swing opportunities. You could be an entry-level worker trying so hard to get on a big project that you initially neglect the administrative tasks you were hired for. You could be a professional services firm so focused on landing the big fish clients that you underserve your less-noteworthy-yet-profitable clients. A person could also be so consumed with getting that one title or position that, if they get there, they are woefully underprepared because they didn't spend their prior years dedicated to being good at their current jobs.
It's easy to want to look at (and want) that next big thing. Honestly, there's nothing wrong with that. We should have goals we aspire to! But too much focus on "bigger and better" can lead to discontentment now and a lack of preparation for later.
In looking back at my own life, I've noticed that when I've focused on doing my best with whatever is right in front of me, doing the less glamorous things well, those "next big things" find me at the correct times.
And when they do, I'm usually much better prepared to meet the moment.
For fun, here’s another perspective
Another perspective
After I wrote this article, I ended up stumbling across this TED Talk from Malcolm Gladwell about David and Goliath. It’s a perspective on the story I’ve never heard with the main takeaway being “maybe giants aren’t as strong as they seem.”