David And Goliath

David looked closely at the stones in his hand. His sling hung from his arm, and his bag was by his side. What was he about to do with those stones? And who was that tall man in armor, strutting about with such a long spear in his hand?

Two armies stood ready for battle. They were the armies of the Israelites and the Philistines. The Israelite camp was on one hill, and the Philistine camp on another, with a valley between them. For forty days these armies had faced each other, but the battle had not yet begun. The Philistines had a giant of great height and strength, covered in armor, who came out every day and challenged the Israelites to send a man to fight him. But no man in the Israelite army dared to fight Goliath, the Philistines' champion.

Meanwhile, Jesse had sent David to the Israelite camp to check on his brothers. David heard what the giant said and offered to go out against him. Saul was told of David's offer and sent for him. Saul told David he was not able to fight the giant, but David boldly replied, "The Lord who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will save me from the hand of this Philistine." David did not trust in his own strength but in God. Then Saul said, "Go, and the Lord be with you."

David went down to the brook and chose five smooth stones. Putting them in his shepherd's bag, he took his sling and approached the Philistine. Goliath mocked him, but David said, "You come against me with a sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord."

He slung one of the stones and struck Goliath in the forehead, and the giant fell facedown to the ground. Then David ran and stood over him, and with Goliath's own sword, he cut off his head. Thus God enabled this young shepherd to overcome the giant Philistine and slay him with a sling and a stone.