Sic Parvis Magna: Latin for "Greatness from small beginnings". (common translation) Sir Francis Drake's personal motto.
Such could be said about David. Read 1 Samuel 16.
He was a shepherd and a musician. He took out Goliath after so many 'warriors' ran in fear. He became king of Israel.
The Sling (2024)
(Goliath) I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” - 1 Samuel 17:10 (NLT)
They say technology changes, but the man doesn't. This isn't always the case. The type of sling still used in the Middle East was most likely the type David used. A simple device.
David & Goliath, a tale as old as time, is one of the most enduring and legendary tales from the Bible. Told with themes of faith, courage and triumph of the unlikely hero, David is a young shepherd who faces Goliath, a behemoth Philistine warrior who struck fear into the heart of the Israelites. In Samuel 1:17, the battle rages in the Valley of Elah between the Philistines and the Israelite army of Saul. As the two armies reach a stalemate, Goliath, a champion of the Philistines, challenges Saul’s army to send out a champion to help decide the outcome of the battle. Twice a day, for 40 days, Goliath taunts the Israelites, daring them to send their champion. Screaming “I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me” Goliath sewed despair among Saul’s troops. David would eventually step forward and accept the challenge, armed only with a sling and stones.
David, throughout many retellings of the story, is depicted as a humble, but courageous figure. From humble beginnings as a shepherd and musician, his leadership and bravery set him apart from others. Despite David’s small stature compared to the giant, God chooses David, through the Prophet Samuel, as he embodies the values of faith, resilience, and the deep connection to God, all prophets of a true king. His eventual victory signaled two things: his rise to prominence in the Kingdom of Israel and as a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, by inspiring future generations to believe in the power of faith, and, the possibility of overcoming great challenges that many are, sometimes, forced by circumstances to meet.
The sling, David’s weapon of choice, can be easily underestimated. Unlike the traditional weapons of war, the simple but effective tool becomes the means by which David directly confronts Goliath. Its primary use before the Valley of Elah would have been to protect David’s flock from predators, which honed David’s skill with accuracy and precision. As David steps forward to challenge Goliath, Saul insists David wear the heavy armor, as he prefers his sling and five stones, a weapon he is not only familiar with, but places his faith in. This choice made by David, comes to showcase how faith can lead to victory against overwhelming odds.
As David approaches the Philistine giant, he displays undaunted confidence and faith. Before the duel between the champions begins, David declares that God will deliver him from the giant just as he had saved him from beasts in his past. David, with swift motion, slings one the stones with the precision he had learned while using the sling throughout his past, and strikes Goliath in the center of the giant’s forehead. Stunningly, Goliath falls to the ground, and the Philistines, realizing their champion has been defeated, flee in terror while being pursued by the Israelites.
To this day, the story of David & Goliath has been retold for centuries and its themes have shown up in many stories throughout history. Sir Francis Drake’s personal motto, Sic Parvis Magna (Greatness from Small Beginnings) evenly summarizes the many themes of the story of David & Goliath. The legacy of this story continues to resonate with millions today, reminding us that true strength often lies in unexpected places.
- 3.5x2"
- Embroidered
- Hook Backing
- Release: 10/18/24
2019 Legacy (Discontinued)
- PVC: 2x2" | Hook backing
- Embroidered: 3x2" | Hook backing
- Vinyl Decal: 5.5x3" (roughly)
