David and Goliath

The Philistines gathered their armies for battle at Socoh and camped in Ephes-dammim, while Saul and the men of Israel gathered in the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:1-2). A champion named Goliath, whose height was six cubits and a span, came out from the Philistine camp wearing a bronze helmet and a coat of mail (1 Samuel 17:4-5). For forty days, he challenged the Israelites to choose a man to fight him, stating that the losing side would become servants to the victors (1 Samuel 17:8-16). David, the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, arrived at the camp to bring provisions to his three eldest brothers, including Eliab, who were serving in Saul's army (1 Samuel 17:12-17).

Upon hearing Goliath's defiance, David questioned the men standing by him, prompting Eliab to speak to him in anger, though the text does not say why he suspected David of naughtiness other than his presence at the battle (1 Samuel 17:26-28). David was brought before Saul and volunteered to fight the Philistine, recounting how he had killed both lions and bears while tending his father's sheep (1 Samuel 17:32-36). Saul offered David his own armor, but David removed it because he had not tested it (1 Samuel 17:38-39). Instead, David took his staff, five smooth stones from a brook, and his sling to meet Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40).

As the two approached, Goliath disdained David for his youth and appearance, but David declared he came in the name of the Lord of hosts (1 Samuel 17:42-45). David struck the Philistine in the forehead with a stone, causing him to fall on his face (1 Samuel 17:49). Having no sword in his hand, David took Goliath's own sword and cut off his head (1 Samuel 17:50-51). When the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled, and the men of Israel and Judah pursued them to the gates of Ekron (1 Samuel 17:51-52). Following the victory, Abner, the captain of the host, brought David before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand (1 Samuel 17:57-58).