David

David was born in Bethlehem almost 1,000 years before the time of Christ. He was the son of a shepherd, and as such tended to the sheep in the fields. At this time in history Saul was the king of Israel. Saul had lost favor with God and the people were no longer happy with his rule. Because God no longer favored Saul, He inspired the Prophet Samuel to go to Bethlehem and anoint David, who was only a boy at the time. Israel was at war with the Philistines when Samuel went to anoint David. David's brothers were off at war in Saul's army at this time. Samuel found David tending the sheep. Samuel then proceeded to anoint him.

One day David's father asked him if he would take food to his brothers. David agreed and journeyed to the camp where his brothers were stationed. When David arrived he realized that the Israelites were afraid of a giant in the Philistine's army. This giant was named Goliath. the Israelites ran in terror just at the sight of Goliath.

(http://users.bandzoogle.com/tabladrum/images/content/KingDavid.jpg)

After this experience, David went to King Saul and asked if he could meet with Goliath and fight him. At first Saul refused saying David was only a boy and was to small to fight Goliath. David would surely die. David replied to this with confidence, saying he had killed a bear and a lion that had attacked his sheep. He also reassured Saul that the Lord would guide and protect him. Finally Saul agreed and David made arrangements to meet with Goliath.

David defeating Goliath (http://z.about.com/d/ancienthistory/1/0/H/d/2/DavidGoliathCaravaggio.jpg)

David hardly had to fight Goliath. He defeated him with only a slingshot and a rock. Saul had given him armour and a sword but the armour was too big for him and the sword was too heavy. David hit Goliath between the eyes with a stone thrown from his slingshot. This knocked Goliath to the ground. David then ran over to Goliath and took his sword. He then proceeded to chop Goliath's head off. He picked it up and held it in triumph.

David became an instant hero. He gain respect throughout the land and soon became Saul's successor as king of Israel. David was a great and wise king. He wrote the book of Psalms in the Bible and his life story is written in the book of Romans in the Bible. David's son, Solomon, succeeded him after his death as the new king of Israel.

David's motivation to fight Goliath wasn't much. He was patriotic and wanted to help in the war against the Philistines. David saw the terror Goliath brought out in the Israelites and wanted to change that. Another thing that motivated David was God. David knew this was God's will and willing to do whatever it took to succeed.

David changed the world he lived in by proving that size didn't mean everything. He proved you could defeat anyone out of sheer will. As David got older he continued to change the world he lived in by being a great king and writing the book of Psalms that can still be read to this day in the Bible.