If anyone had told me that someday I would fight a giant that was over twice as tall as me, and certainly much stronger, I would tell them that they were insane. I'm not short but I'm certainly not tall enough to face a giant, or so it seemed at the time. But I did end up fighting a giant. It's an interesting story, if I say so myself.
I was only thirteen years old when the Philistine army was at war with Israel—not that anyone was surprised. My brothers went off to fight, but my father, Jesse, proclaimed that I was too young to fight. I wasn't sure how I felt about that; I thought I should fight for my family and for Israel, but, on the other hand, I probably was too young to fight. I didn't yet have the quick reflexes or strength of my brothers.
A traveler came by our tent one day, and my father asked if he knew anything about the fight between Israel and the Philistines, for the traveler had come from that direction. The traveler spoke very seriously.
"For a long time, the men of Israel stayed in their tents. They were afraid, for the Philistines are tall, and one of them is taller and burlier than any of them. For forty days the people of Israel stayed away from battle, but two days ago they finally decided to fight. They had to show the giant—the Philistines call him Goliath, by the way—and his army that they were not afraid, but many are being killed."
My father turned to me and said, "David, you are light and quick. You can make it between the battle lines of Israel and see if your brothers are there. Just a fast look—don't linger, and come back to tell me. I must know how my sons are doing!"
The traveler looked from my father to me, and then looked at my father again. The way he looked at my father was not very nice.
"You're sending your young boy to be killed," he said coldly.
"No!" I said, suddenly feeling determined. "I can do it. I will do it! I just have to look for my brothers. I won't have to fight."
The journey to where the battle was fought was not far, but the walking wasn't comfortable. The roads were so dry and dusty that they were often slippery, and the heat of the sun was pressing. There were many times that I had to scramble over large rocks, and I stumbled over smaller stones. At last, however, I was on a ridge above the valley where the war was being fought.
Many of the Philistines were very tall, but there was one who stood above them all. That was Goliath, the giant of whom the traveler had spoken. It wasn't just that his height that frightened me, and doubtlessly, many of Israel's army. No, he was also a fearsome and well-muscled man.
As I drew closer, I could hear him leering as he looked toward Israel's army. He also shouted obscenities at the soldiers. While he was trying to intimidate his opposition, the Philistine army fought right and left, fought blow for blow with the Israelites.
I dashed into the line of battle; I saw my brothers fighting together. One of them had a bad cut, but it was healed; other than that, they were all right.
Some fighters were less lucky—I kept stepping over bodies and steadying myself to keep from slipping in pools of blood. Nobody noticed me, until a firm hand gripped me and pulled me back. It was one of my brothers.
"David, you fool!" he cried. "What are you doing here?"
"Father sent me to find you and our other brothers," I protested.
A voice suddenly interrupted; it was a commanding yet kind voice.
"Who is this young boy?" a man with a distinctive face asked my brother.
"My youngest brother, King Saul."
I gasped. The King!
Just then, however, Goliath's voice bellowed, echoing in the valley.
"Why do you keep fighting this futile war, Israelites? You are fighting a losing war! But I suppose it is for the honor! The brave Israelites, fighting for their god…even though they'll be massacred anyway…"
Goliath's words angered me. Suddenly, I wanted to be the one to kill Goliath. If Goliath was killed, or even just stunned for a time, it would shock the enemy enough Israel's fighters could take advantage of the Philistines' confusion. After all, if their great commander, whom they thought invincible, fell, what would they think?
"King Saul," I said, trying to sound brave, "I'd like to fight Goliath!"
The king and my brother stared at me. King Saul found his voice first; he smiled at me nicely and told me that though he was sure I'd be a brave fighter, I'd be killed before I even had a chance to face Goliath.
"But I am light and quick and small," I said. "It'll be easier for me to stay low."
The king must have seen the earnestness in my eyes, for he said slowly, "if you wish to fight, you may, but remember, we are facing a great and terrible army and the nastiest fighter among them is their leader!"
I mumbled my thanks and then dashed up a ridge into a small grove of trees. There, with a sharp rock, I carved a slingshot from a sturdy piece of branch. Then I cut a piece from my belt, which was made of strong leather that stretched fairly well. I tied one end to each fork of the slingshot. Finally, I found a handful of heavy stones and put them in my now empty water bag.
I worked my way through the battle lines and toward Goliath. Half an hour later, I stood, trembling, before the army of the Philistines. People were murmuring on both sides, and Goliath himself strode through his army until he was just yards away from me.
Lord, I want to defeat Goliath, I prayed. I would like to not die so I can return to my father and my mother, so I can return home with my brothers…but if it should be that I die, I will accept your will…
"Well, well, well," Goliath sneered, as loudly as he could. "Look at the little Israelite! How precious! Are you going to kill big ol' Goliath? Take on the Philistine army?" He laughed cruelly.
I felt weak. Calm down, I told myself. Imagine that you are winning. That you are taking a victory for Israel.
A Philistine spoke up. "Shall we kill this boy, Goliath?"
"No, no, let's see what the wee boy can do!" Goliath said, smirking.
I was praying a thousand prayers at once, or so it seemed. I could feel the tension of my fellow people behind me. I knew my brothers were very nervous for me, and I knew King Saul was nervous as well.
Remember that you told the Lord that if you must die in your fight, you will accept it. Do not be afraid. I chanted this mantra silently.
I gripped my slingshot, thinking about what I needed to do.
"Well, little boy?" Goliath yelled.
I picked up one of my stones, putting it in the slingshot with trembling hands. Then I aimed my weapon at Goliath, took a deep breath, pulled the back the leather band, and when I had stretched it as far as possibly, I quickly let the leather band go.
I closed my eyes, but scarcely had two seconds passed when I heard a great roar from both sides, and I was shoved out of the way. The army of Israel was charging! I looked toward the Philistines' army. Goliath was dead! The Philisines were shocked. Our army did indeed catch them by surprise!
After many Philistines had gone down, a few still tried to fight. It was of no use for them; within moments, the survivors surrendered and fled.
A great shout went up from the Israelites: "VICTORY FOR GOD AND ISRAEL! Hurray for David! David who saved our people!"
Well, I thought, as my brothers carried me to King Saul, I think I've had enough excitement for now.
