David and Goliath

Jesse had eight sons of which David was the youngest. God chose David to be the next king over Israel after Saul. The prophet Samuel anointed David with oil. The Spirit of the Lord was with David.

Sometime later, The Philistines and the Israelites got ready for war. The Philistines lined up on one hill.

And the Israelites lined up on the opposite hill.

In between the two armies was a valley.

The Philistine army had a champion named Goliath. He was 2.7 metres (9ft) tall. He had a bronze helmet, breast plate and shin guards. His breast plate alone weighed 57kg and his spearhead weighed 7kg. A soldier carried his shield for him.

For 40 days, Goliath challenged the Israelites every morning and every evening. He yelled, “Choose your best soldier to fight me. If he kills me, we will become your slaves, but if I kill him, you will become our slaves." King Saul and the Israelite army were terrified.

Meanwhile, Jesse was concerned about how David’s three oldest brothers were going. They were serving in King Saul’s army. He sent David with food to the Israelite camp to see how they were.

When David arrived, he went straight to his brothers who were in the front line. Goliath began his usual boasting and David was shocked at what he heard.

David began to ask soldiers standing nearby, “Who is this worthless Philistine insulting the army of the living God? What reward will a man get for killing him?” The soldiers replied, “The King will give a huge reward to whoever kills Goliath, not to mention his daughter in marriage, and the man’s family will never have to pay taxes again.”

David kept on asking soldiers about Goliath and eventually Saul sent for him. David said to Saul, “How can we let this Philistine make us cowards? I’ll go and face him myself!” Saul said, “You are just a boy! Goliath has been a soldier all his life.” David replied, "When I take care of my father’s sheep, I protect them from any danger. When a lion or a bear takes a sheep, I rescue the sheep and kill the lion and the bear. I will kill this Philistine too. The Lord who rescues me from these wild animals will also keep me safe from this Philistine."

Saul responded, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” Saul dressed David in his own armour and weapons. “David said, “I can’t use this! I am not used to it.” So he removed the armour and picked up his shepherd’s stick.

David went to the stream and chose five smooth stones and put them in a leather bag. Then, with his sling in his hand, he moved to meet Goliath.

When Goliath saw that David was just a boy he made fun of him. “Do you think that I am a dog that you come after me with a stick?” Then he cursed David and said, “When I am finished with you, I will feed you to the birds and wild animals.” David spoke out, “You come against me with a sword and spear, but I come against you in the Name of the Lord Almighty. Today the Lord will help me defeat you, for the battle is the Lords.”

As Goliath attacked, David ran towards him. David hurled a stone with his sling and struck Goliath on the forehead. Goliath fell face down.

When the Philistines saw their champion defeated, they turned and ran for their lives. The Israelite army ran after them. Soon after this, King Saul made David an officer in the Israelite army.

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