1 - 58 David and GoliathThe Philistines and Isrealites assemble for war. The Philistine warrior Goliath is intimidating: he's 9 feet tall and wears scary armor. He's so confident, he berates the Isrealites and tells them if a soldier can kill him, the Philistines will serve Isreal (and vice versa). He came out and threatened the Isrealites every day for 40 days.
David, the youngest son of Jesse, has to tend the sheep instead of going back war with Saul like his brothers. One morning, Jesse tells him to take some food to them and bring back news. When he gets there, Goliath comes out and makes his threats. The soldiers explain to David what's going on, and David asks, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" His oldest brother gives him a hard time for leaving his sheep and coming to watch the battle. David tells Saul he will fight Goliath. When Saul tells him he's too young, David tells Saul how - with God's help - he killed a bear. He promises to do the same to Goliath, "because he has defied the armies of the living God." He refuses Saul's armor, and brings 5 stones.
Goliath is offended the the Isrealites would send a child. David gives a speech that begins, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied . . . for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." David slings a rock into Goliath's forehead, kills him with a sword, and cuts off his head. The Isrealites chase the Philistines away and plunder their cap. He brings Goliath's head back to Jerusalem. Saul wants to know whose son David is.
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David also killed a lion while protecting his sheep. After killing Goliath with the stone and sling, he ran to his body, drew Goliath's sword, and cut off his head. The Philistine army runs away when their hero is killed. The Israelites pursue and destroy them. David does bring Goliath's head back to Jerusalem and keeps his weapons.
The key of the story is David's speech. In addition to what Karlton mentioned, "I (David) will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and beasts AND THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW THAT THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL. All those gatahered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves."
That's about the bravest, Godliest speech ever. I pray that if I am ever confronted by some unsurmountable foe that I will remember that. THAT'S why we exist, to prove to the whole world that God IS God.
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