David and the Giant Goliath

In a sunlit valley between two hills, two great armies stood facing one another. Among the Philistines stood a fearsome giant named Goliath. He wore a bronze helmet and heavy armor that clanged with every step. Every morning, he bellowed across the valley: "Send out a warrior to fight me!" Even the bravest soldiers trembled in their tents.

Then came a young shepherd named David, visiting the camp simply to bring freshly baked bread and cheeses to his older brothers. When David heard Goliath’s mocking voice, his heart stirred with courage. "Why is everyone afraid?" David asked. King Saul offered David his heavy royal armor, but it was far too big and heavy for the boy to walk in.

David instead ran down to a nearby bubbling brook. He carefully chose five smooth, flat stones and placed them in his leather shepherd’s pouch. Armed only with his sling and simple wooden staff, he stepped onto the battlefield. Goliath laughed when he saw the boy, but David called back boldly: "You come against me with sword and spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts!"

David placed a stone in his sling, whirled it round and round, and let it fly. The stone whistled through the morning breeze and struck Goliath right on the forehead. The great giant fell flat upon the ground. All the people saw that day that God does not look at armor or muscles—He looks at a heart full of faith.