1 Samuel 17
The enemy of Israel came with their tents and camped on a mountain ready for battle. King Saul with the army of Israel camped on another mountain opposite, a valley between them.
But the two armies, did not start a battle, because each day a giant, named Goliath, came out of the enemy’s camp and called for a soldier of Israel to come and fight him alone, and whichever lost, his people should be servants of the other’s people, he said, and not for all to fight.
This big man wore a brass coat and helmet to keep him from being hurt, and carried a great heavy spear, Of course he did not think there was anyone strong enough to kill him, so day after day he stood in front of the army and called. The men of Israel were in terror, not one dared to tight him, although King Saul offered rich rewards to any man who would.
One day David came to bring food to his brothers, who were soldiers in the camp. of Israel, He saw the giant stand calling for someone to fight him, and David spoke to men near him saying this heathen man could not: win over the men of Israel who belonged to the living God.
King Saul heard what David said and sent for him. David said he would go to fight against Goliath. The king answered that David was not able, for he was only a youth. Then David told the king how he had killed the lion and the bear which came after the lambs, and said,
“The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”
So thee Saul had his own armor put on David and gave him a sword, but David was not trained to use those and he put them aside, and took only his staff and sling, picking up five smooth stones, he started toward the giant.
Goliath had called to Israel for someone for forty days; now when he saw this youth come toward him, he was very angry, as though Israel thought he had no strength, and he called for his idols to curse David. David’s reply was,
“Thou comest to me with sword and spear and shield: I come to thee in the name of the Lord.”
Goliath started toward the brave youth: David quickly put one of the stones in his sling, whirled it swiftly, the small stone striking Goliath in his forehead, and the great giant fell to the ground dead.
When the enemy saw their big soldier was dead, they left their tents and fled. Older boys will be interested to read this story in the Bible. You can learn about the height of Goliath, for a cubit is nearly 1 1/2 feet and a span about 10 inches.
But this story is not to teach how to fight, for since the Lord Jesus came to earth His people are told to be meek and gentle, instead of warlike. But we are to learn from David to have courage, and trust God for whatever we can do for Him.
ML 10/23/1938