STORIES FROM THE BIBLE ---5--4

 

The Fight with the Giant --1

 

     All through the reign of Saul, there was constant war with the Philistines, who lived

upon the lowlands west of Israel. At one time, when David was still with his sheep, the camps of the Philistines and the Israelites were set against each other on opposite sides of the valley of Elah. In the army of Israel were the three oldest brothers of David. Every day a giant came out of the camp of the Philistines, and dared some one to come from the Israelites' camp and fight with him. The giant's name was Goliath. He was nine feet high ; and he wore armour from head to foot, and carry a spear twice as long and as heavy as any other man could hold ; and his shield bearer walked before him. He came every day and called out across the little valley;

 

     " I am a Philistine, and you are servants of Saul. Now choose one of your men. and let him come out and fight with me. If I kill him then you shall submit to us ; and if he kills me , then we will give up to you. Come, now send out you man !". But no man in the army, not even  King Saul, dared to go out and fight with the giant. Forty days the camps stood against each other, and the Philistine giant continued his call.

 

     one day old Jesse. the father of David, sent David from Bethlehem to visit his three brothers in the army. David came, and spoke to his brothers ; and while he was talking with them, Goliath the giant came out as before in front of the camp calling for some one to fight with him.