1 Samuel 17

David Vs. the Giant

1 The Philistines gathered for war at Socoh in Judah. They set up camp between Socoh and Azekah at Ephes-dammim.

2 Saul and Israel’s army camped in the Valley of Elah and lined up to face the Philistines.

3 The Philistines were on one hill, Israel on the other, with the valley in between.

Enter Goliath

4 Then a giant stepped out from the Philistine camp, Goliath from Gath. Dude was about 9 feet tall.

5 He had a bronze helmet and a scale armor that weighed 125 pounds.

6 He had bronze shin guards and a bronze javelin strapped on his back.

7 His spear shaft was thick like a weaver’s beam, and the tip alone weighed 15 pounds. His shield guy walked ahead of him.

8 Goliath stepped out and shouted at Israel’s army: “Why are y’all even lining up to fight? I am a Philistine, and y’all work for Saul. Pick one man to fight me.”

9 “If he beats me, we will be your slaves. But if I beat him, you all work for us.”

10 “I defy Israel today. Send me a man to fight.”

11 When Saul and the crew heard that, they were shook and terrified.

David Gets Sent

12 Now David was Jesse’s youngest son from Bethlehem. Jesse had eight sons. By this point, Jesse was old and gray.

13 His three oldest sons were already in Saul’s army, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah.

14 David was the youngest, and the three oldest stayed with Saul.

15 David went back and forth between Saul and tending sheep in Bethlehem.

16 For 40 days, Goliath came out every morning and evening talking trash.

Jesse Sends David

17 One day, Jesse told David, “Take this roasted grain and bread to your brothers in the camp.”

18 “And take these ten cheeses to the officer over them. Check on your brothers, bring me back a report.”

19 Saul, your brothers, and all Israel are fighting the Philistines in the Valley of Elah.

20 David got up early, left the sheep with a sitter, and took the supplies to camp just as the army was heading out to the battle line, shouting the war cry.

21 Israel and the Philistines stood face to face, ready to scrap.

22 David dropped off the supplies with the keeper and ran to the front line to check on his brothers.

23 While he was talking with them, Goliath stepped out again with his usual disrespect. David heard it.

24 When the Israelites saw Goliath, they dipped, scared for real.

David Speaks Up

25 The soldiers said, “Have you seen this giant, He is taunting Israel again. Whoever kills him gets paid, Saul’s offering cash, his daughter, and no taxes for his whole fam.”

26 David asked, “What is the reward for killing this uncircumcised Philistine disrespecting God’s army?”

27 The people repeated the reward deal.

28 David’s older brother Eliab heard him talking and got mad. “What you doing here, Who is watching those few sheep, I know you just tryna be nosey.”

29 David said, “Man, what did I do now, I just asked a question.”

30 He turned to someone else and asked again. Same answer.

David Gets Called In

31 Word got back to Saul about what David said, and he called for him.

32 David told Saul, “Do not let anybody trip. I will go fight this Philistine.”

33 Saul said, “You just a kid. This man has been a warrior since day one.”

34 David said, “I been watching my father’s sheep. When a lion or bear came for one, I chased it down, struck it, and got the lamb back.”

35 “If it came at me, I grabbed it by the beard, beat it down, and killed it.”

36 “I have dropped lions and bears. This uncircumcised Philistine is going to get the same. He disrespected God’s army.”

37 “The same Lord who saved me from lions and bears will save me from this Philistine.” Saul said, “Alright then. Go, may the Lord be with you.”

David Gets Armed, Then Unarmed

38 Saul tried to dress David in his own armor, tunic, bronze helmet, and all.

39 David strapped on the sword, tried walking, but said, “I cannot move in this, I am not used to it.” So he took it off.

David’s Gear

40 Instead, he grabbed his staff, chose five smooth stones from the brook, put them in his shepherd’s pouch, and took his sling. Then he stepped to the Philistine.

Face to Face

41 Goliath came closer with his shield guy in front.

42 When he saw David, young, small, and good-looking, he laughed.

43 He said, “You are coming at me with a stick like I am a dog,” Then he cursed David by his gods.

44 “Come here, and I will feed your body to the birds and wild animals!”

45 David said, “You are coming with sword and spear, I come in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God you been dissing.”

46 “Today the Lord going to hand you to me. I will drop you, cut off your head, and feed your army to the animals. Then the world will know God does not play.”

47 “All these people will see that God saves, not by sword or spear. The battle belongs to the Lord, and He is going to hand you all over to us.”

The Victory

48 Goliath stepped forward. David ran straight at him.

49 He pulled a stone from his pouch, slung it, and smacked Goliath right in the forehead. The rock sank in. Goliath dropped face-first.

50 David beat Goliath with a sling and a stone. No sword, just raw faith and aim.

51 He ran over, grabbed Goliath’s own sword, and finished him. Cut off his head. When the Philistines saw their giant was dead, they ran.

52 Israel and Judah gave chase, shouting, striking them down all the way to Gath and Ekron. Bodies dropped all over the road.

53 After the win, the Israelites came back and raided the Philistine camp.

54 David took Goliath’s head to Jerusalem, and kept his weapons as a trophy.

Saul Wants to Know David

55 When Saul saw David step out to fight, he asked Abner, “Who is that kid?” Abner said, “King, I do not know.”

56 Saul said, “Find out who his daddy is.”

57 As soon as David came back with Goliath’s head, Abner brought him to Saul.

58 Saul asked, “Who your father, son?” David said, “I am the son of Jesse from Bethlehem.”