A Story of God and All of Us Young Reade - By Roma Downey Page 0,22

he knows what's done is done. Saul has been forgiven, but he must still bear the consequences of his disobedience.

Saul eagerly straps on his battle armor with the help of a young armor bearer named David. His army is camped in the Valley of Elah, already drawn up in battle array to face the Philistines yet again, and Saul couldn't be happier.

He is excited at the thought of the action.

Suddenly, a breathless Jonathan, one of Saul's sons, 87

throws back the flap and steps into his tent. "Father, you must come immediately!"

David trails behind as Saul pushes his way through the Israelite troops.

Looking down into the valley, they see a man almost nine feet tall standing alone, facing Saul's army. He wears full armor and wields a sword that matches his immense physical size. The entire Philistine army stands behind him.

"Israelites," calls out the giant. "I am Goliath. And I have a proposition for you!"

Saul peers down intently, unsure of what he will hear next.

"Send just one of you to fight me, oh Israelites. Just one. If he wins, then we Philistines will be your slaves. But if I win, you will be our slaves."

When he receives no response from Saul or the other Israelites, Goliath continues his rant. "Come now," he goads them. "Surely there is one of you courageous enough to fight me."

"I'll do it!" The calm, sure voice of a boy cuts across the valley, answering Goliath's call. It is David. He is a seventeen-year-old shepherd, accomplished at playing the harp, and a part-time armor bearer for Saul. He has never once stepped onto the field of battle.

Saul gives him a patronizing smile. "David, the 88

reward would be great, but you're not a soldier. You're a shepherd."

"Yes," David replies, catching Saul's eye before the king can look away.

"And I've protected my sheep from wolves. Just as I've protected my sheep, so God will protect me."

Saul is not swayed, even though Goliath has ratcheted up the tone of his chants, until he is now insulting not just the Israelites but God, too.

"Where is your faith?" chants Goliath. "Where is your God?"

The Israelites continue to cower. But David has deep faith, and Goliath's words stir his anger.

The final straw comes with Goliath's next taunt: "I don't believe that your God is on your side at all. Your God is not as strong as our gods." He beams broadly toward the Philistines, who resume the beating of their shields.

"What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes his disgracer from Israel?" David asks the nearby Israelite soldiers. "Who is this Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

He does not ask Saul's permission as he gathers his stones and weaves through the Israelite ranks, each step taking him closer and closer to the valley floor. David

89

is just a teenager, but Saul is impressed. He quickly removes his battle armor and has it hand-carried down to David. But the armor is far too big for the shepherd to wear. He takes it off and heads into battle with just his sling.

"Go," Saul calls after him. "And the Lord be with you."

David emerges from the front of the Israelite line and squares off against Goliath, a grown man and battle-scarred veteran nearly three feet taller than he. David's quiet prayers escalate as the reality of what he has done--and is about to do--threaten to overwhelm him. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me. Your rod and staff... they comfort me. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life."

Goliath raises a hand to silence the shield beating as David plants his feet and squarely presents himself. David's heart hammers inside his chest.

Goliath roars a giant-sized laugh. "Is this Israel's champion?" he bellows, barely able to contain his glee.

David says nothing. He reaches into his satchel, never once taking his eye off Goliath.

"Don't waste my time, little boy," yells Goliath.

"You come against me with sword and spear, but I 90

come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, whom you have defied."

The giant draws his sword and advances, his great strides eating up the distance all too quickly.

David stays calm. He pulls a stone from the bag on his belt and slips it into the cradle of his sling. "For you are with me," he prays. "Your rod