After David whopped Goliath in the forehead with that rock, he ran to the giant and killed him with his own sword. Then David chopped off Goliath’s head and held it aloft. The emboldened army of Israel routed the Philistines and won a great victory.

David, in the meantime, never let go of that bloody head. When King Saul welcomed the victor to his tent, David appeared, still holding Goliath by the hair. Later David carried the head to Jerusalem for display.

What kind of guy lugs a head around for several days?

A teenager. In this case one who just won the greatest one-on-one duel in the history of his nation, and maybe in the history of the world. David enjoyed the moment. He raised the head to great cheers and applause and adulation everywhere he turned.

Nothing like pulling a bloody head from behind your back to impress the ladies.

However, perhaps in this first taste of glory David glimpsed his destiny. Anointed as the future king, and trusting in the certainty of the Lord’s promise, he envisioned a better future. David anticipated serving the Lord wholeheartedly as he led his people to victory over their enemies and achieving peace.

Perhaps his grisly trophy reminded David of the Lord’s faithfulness and a better future for all.

Of course, the attention didn’t hurt either.

1 Samuel 17 in week seventeen of reading the Bible cover to cover

David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio (1607)