David & Goliath

-Beyond the myth-

David is about to decapitate Goliath. This is where action stops and reflection makes its way. What lies beyond the myth?

The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other, camped for battle on opposite sides of a steep valley. A Philistine giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor came out each day for forty days, mocking and challenging the Israelites to fight. His name was Goliath. Saul, the King of Israel, and the whole army were terrified of Goliath.

One day, David, the youngest and weak son of Jesse, was sent to the battle lines by his father to bring back news of his brothers. David was just a young teenager at the time. While there, David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance, and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel. David responded, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?"

So David volunteered to fight Goliath. It took some persuasion, but King Saul finally agreed to let David oppose the giant. Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd's staff, sling, and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath. The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults.

As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath's head. It found a hole in the armor and sank into the giant's forehead. He fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath's sword, killed him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. The Israelites pursued, chasing and killing them and plundering their camp.

At first glance it’s a violent lesson of external struggle, courage, comparison, big day-to-day problems, faith and overcoming what seems impossible in tangible terms.

But what happens if we go beyond and project it inwards? David and Goliath are actually one and that union is us. Like a Yin-Yang. The myth is the representation of an internal struggle. David is our current state and Goliath is what we want to become, what challenge us. Goliath represents our inner greatness reflected in David. The bigger Goliath is, the greater our capacity for growth.

The most difficult battle is the internal battle with ourselves. What is your own Goliath?

“Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle” -Plato

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Story here: nft.matiasmarano.com/davidandgoliath