The term dark horse may...
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The term "dark horse" may have originated with Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (1804-1881). In his 1831 publication, The Young Duke, he wrote: "A dark horse, which had never been thought of, and which the careless St. James had never even observed in the list, rushed past the grandstand in sweeping triumph." The "dark horse" has subsequently come to symbolize the unexpected winner.
Surely David, though the term had not yet been coined, was seen by many throughout his life as a "dark horse," an unexpected winner. As a mere boy he had slain Goliath who had taunted the entire army of Israel for 40 days, defying any single man to face him in battle. Then, unexpectedly, out of the hills came this shepherd boy to face the giant -- and kill him. David was a "dark horse," a shepherd boy put in command of one of Saul's armies who eventually became king over Israel and Judah -- all by the grace of God.
David was very human. Like all of us, we know he had his flaws. But we also know, through the beautiful thoughts expressed in his psalms, that David loved God and lived his life in service to God.
God seems to delight in the "dark horse," surprising us with the unexpected. But then, that's the nature of grace.
-- Fannin
Surely David, though the term had not yet been coined, was seen by many throughout his life as a "dark horse," an unexpected winner. As a mere boy he had slain Goliath who had taunted the entire army of Israel for 40 days, defying any single man to face him in battle. Then, unexpectedly, out of the hills came this shepherd boy to face the giant -- and kill him. David was a "dark horse," a shepherd boy put in command of one of Saul's armies who eventually became king over Israel and Judah -- all by the grace of God.
David was very human. Like all of us, we know he had his flaws. But we also know, through the beautiful thoughts expressed in his psalms, that David loved God and lived his life in service to God.
God seems to delight in the "dark horse," surprising us with the unexpected. But then, that's the nature of grace.
-- Fannin
