Dawid barely noticed the frightened bleating of the sheep around him. Without even realizing what he was doing, he rushed toward the lion. Having four legs to a human's two, the predatory creature was happily trotting away with its prize, breaking into a run when it noticed the dog pursuing it.

Many times, Dawid had practiced slinging rocks at a tree. Now it was time to test his aim. He kept running as the lion increased the distance between itself and the flock. Dawid knew he must release the rock now, or the lamb was lost.

Feeling the sharp sting on his hip, the lion turned and roared. In that instant, Mahir began fighting the beast. It wasn't much of a fight, for the lion was much bigger and stronger than the dog, but it was enough of a delay that Dawid managed to catch up.

Ignoring the boy, the lion once again picked up the lamb in its jaws, but Dawid caught the beast by the mane that grew beneath its chin. With one strong swing of his rod, he felled the lion.

Tuwbal was still bleating frantically, trembling with fear. Dawid gingerly picked him up and walked back to the flock before the lion regained consciousness. (It was not until evening that he realized the large cat was dead.)

"Are you alright, little friend?" Dawid gently began examining the lamb for wounds. "Did he hurt you?"

There were no serious injuries, but Dawid remembered that sheep could die of fright. He spent the next hour holding Tuwbal on his lap, singing to reassure the traumatized flock. By the end of the day, Dawid rejoiced to see the sheep lying down, for sheep will never do so if any of their needs, including the feeling of security, remain unmet.

When Dawid told the story later, his brothers laughed, unable to believe that the youngest of them had slain a lion. After all, Dawid was not yet a man. However, they were unable to deny that the carcass in the field was indeed a lion that had recently perished.

Yishai shook his head. "Dawid, you have not shown wisdom. Elohim delivered you from the lion, but I would sooner lose our entire flock than one of my sons. Had the lion been any older, he easily would have killed you! Did you think you were Shimshown?"

Dawid remembered the story of Shimshown, a man of incredible strength who had slain a lion with his bare hands, only to find later that bees had made honey in the lion's carcass.

"I'm sorry, Avi," Dawid responded. "I was thinking only of the lamb."

Yishai sighed. "If the lamb means that much to you, son, it's yours."

Dawid smiled warmly and thanked his father. Tuwbal would one day pass away peacefully of old age after spending a lifetime fathering several hundred lambs of his own.

As Dawid sat amid the flock, watching the lambs gambol or leap onto the backs of their patient mothers, he reflected on life. Everything was so peaceful. Surely this must be the tranquility of Elohim's kingdom that would endure forever.

Dawid smiled to himself, thinking how Elohim was like a shepherd, for He would give food and shelter to His people and comfort them with His peace so they would not perish of fright. He would go after those who went astray, and He would fiercely defend all in His care. He would be provider, protector, physician, and friend.

Lightly coaxing a melody from his harp, Dawid was moved to recite:

"YHWH is my shepherd, and I will not be lacking in anything.

I will lie down in green pastures.

He will lead me over to still waters.

He will return my breath;

He will guide me in the paths of correction

Because of His name.

In addition, when I travel

In the gorge of the shadow of the dead,

I will not be afraid of bad things

Because you are beside me;

Your staff and stick,

They give me relief, and I am consoled."

His musings were interrupted when he saw Gidown walking toward the pasture. Despite the peaceful surroundings that allowed him to meditate on Elohim, Dawid was always grateful for human company, especially of Gidown.

"Shalom!" Dawid greeted.

"You've missed the gathering," Gidown replied. "Only an hour or two after you took the sheep to pasture for the day, we received a visitor, the prophet Shemuel."

Shemuel had come in peace to Bethlehem for the purpose of having Yishai and his sons consecrate themselves, for Shemuel wished to invite them to sacrifice with him. Dawid secretly smiled to himself, grateful his beloved Tuwbal would never be brought to the altar.

Having received divine instruction to do so, Shemuel caused each of Yishai's sons to pass before him, but El Elyon had chosen none of them. Shemuel had then queried if any sons remained at home, and Yishai had explained that Dawid was tending sheep. In response, Shemuel had declared that they would proceed no further until Dawid arrived; they would not even be seated.

"I cannot leave the sheep alone," Dawid replied.

"I will tend them until you return," answered Gidown. "Now go quickly! Shemuel seems to have important business with you!"