David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

David was a shepherd of the Israelites. At the height of the conflict between his people and the Philistines, David steps forward to represent Israel in single combat against the giant Goliath. If David wins, the war will end. If he loses, the Israelites will be enslaved. David is overmatched and refuses to wear the armor that Saul offers him before the fight. He says that he learned everything he needed while keeping predators away from his flocks. David puts a rock in a sling and runs towards Goliath. He hits him in the forehead with the rock and then cuts off the giant’s head with a sword, ending the war. David is representative of anyone who fights against odds that look overwhelming. He is an example of the cunning, dexterity, and counterintuitive thinking that informs Gladwell’s arguments about why underdogs win more frequently than people might assume. 

Goliath was a giant and the champion of the Philistines. When he comes down to fight David in single combat, it is clear that his vision is poor. But he is strong and his defenses appear to be impervious, particularly against a foe as small and vulnerable as David. However, Goliath’s strengths are quickly shown to be weaknesses.