King Saul of Israel and his army were camped across from the army of the pagan Philistines. Each side prepared for battle.
One day, a giant named Goliath of Gath came out from the Philistine camp. He was extremely tall and large, he wore heavy armor made of bronze and he had a bronze scimitar slung from his shoulders.
“Choose one of your men, and have him come down to me. If he beats me in combat and kills me, we will be your vassals; but if I beat him and kill him, you shall be our vassals and serve us,” Goliath shouted.
King Saul and his men were stunned and terrified.
When Goliath issued his challenge, King Saul’s armor bearer, David, was in Bethlehem watching his father’s sheep.
David’s father, Jesse, gave him food to take to his three older brothers, who were with the king’s army.
When David arrived at the camp, Goliath again issued his challenge.
“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should insult the armies of the living God?” David asked.
David’s words were overheard and reported to Saul, who sent for him.
“Let your servant go and fight this Philistine,” David said. “Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God. The same Lord who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul agreed, and David went to meet Goliath, armed only with a staff, a sling and five smooth stones.
Goliath saw David and made fun of him.
“You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have insulted,” David retorted. “Today the Lord shall deliver you into my hand.”
David and Goliath began moving toward one another. David used his sling to hurl a stone at Goliath’s forehead. The stone embedded in Goliath’s brow, and he fell to the ground.
David ran up to Goliath, took the Philistine’s sword and killed him.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they fled.
READ MORE ABOUT IT:
1 Samuel 17
Q&A
- Who was Israel at war with?
- Which Philistine was Israel afraid of?
ESSAY: How has God protected you when you needed it?
BIBLE ACCENT:
In 1 Samuel 16, we can read another story about David tending his father’s sheep.
In verse 1, we learn that God had rejected Saul as king, and he wanted the prophet Samuel to anoint a new one.
“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons,” God told the prophet.
“How can I go? Saul will hear of it and kill me,” Samuel said.
“Take a heifer along and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I myself will tell you what to do; you are to anoint for me the one I point out to you,” God replied.
Samuel did as God said. At the sacrifice, Jesse presented his sons to Samuel one by one.
“Are these all the sons you have?” Samuel asked after meeting seven of Jesse’s sons, none of whom God chose.
“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep,” Jesse replied.
“Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here,” the prophet said.
David was brought before Samuel. David was a handsome youth and made a splendid appearance.
“There — anoint him, for this is the one!” God told Samuel.
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the midst of his brothers, and from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SAINTS:
St. Fabian
St. Fabian was a Roman layman who lived in the third century. He attended a papal conclave as an observer in 236. Even though he was not under consideration, he wound up being elected pope after a dove landed on his head.
He was among the first to be martyred during the Roman Emperor Decius’ persecution of Christians. St. Cyprian called Fabian “an incomparable man, the glory of whose death corresponded with the holiness of his life.”
Fabian died in 250, and we honor him on Jan. 20.
PUZZLE:
Using the hints from 1 Samuel, circle the correct answer to each question about David.
- Which of Saul’s daughters was in love with David? Merob/Michal (18:20)
- Who was jealous of David and wanted to kill him? Saul/Jonathan (19:1)
- Whose sword did David receive from Ahimelech the priest? Abner’s/Goliath’s (21:9-10)
- Who refused to give provisions to David and his men? Samuel/Nabal (25:4-11)
Answers: 1. Michal; 2. Saul; 3. Goliath’s; 4. Nabal