1 Samuel 17 : David & Goliath
Israelites and Philistines prepare for another war but this time there is a man named Goliath in the Philistine camp. He is a huge man standing over 3 meters tall. He comes forward, curses the Israelites and challenges them. If anyone had the courage to fight him, he was to come forward. If Goliath lost Philistines would be slaves of Israelites otherwise vice versa. He challenges Israelites for 40 days but no one comes forward.
David's brothers are soldiers in the Israelite camp. David goes there once in few days to give them food supplies. When he talks to other soldiers he comes to know of Goliath. They tell him that no one in Israel is ready to fight Goliath and the king has offered a great reward for anyone who is ready to fight Goliath - he will also give the person his daughter in marriage and suspend taxes for his family. David tells that Israel is the army of the living God and they should not be scared of a heathen like Goliath.
David goes to Saul's court and asks him permission to fight Goliath. Saul looks at him and asks him what experience does he have. David tells him that he is a shepherd but has fought lions with his bear hands. David tells him that the living God is with him and God will save him from the Philistine.
Saul gives his own armour and helmet but after wearing them David feels uncomfortable and removes them. He goes to fight with Goliath with only a sling and some stones.
Goliath sees David and is filled with scorn that it was not a powerful man who came to fight him but just a young boy. He utters curses on David and tells him that he will tear him to pieces and give them to birds and animals to eat. As Goliath comes forward, David takes a small stone out of his pocket, and slings it on Goliath's forehead. Goliath loses consciousness on the impact of the stone and falls down. David goes over to his body, takes his sword and beheads him.
When Philistines see this, they run away. The Israelites chase them and defeat them that day.
No comments:
Post a Comment