April 1 Daily Devotional

1 Samuel 17

Two armies were ready for battle. On the one hillside the army of Israel was gathered, and on the other the hosts of the Philistines were arrayed. A valley separated the two huge armies. The battle did not begin at once. Then something happened. Out of the hosts of the Philistines came forth a warrior of unusual size, a giant, about nine feet tall. His name was Goliath. He wore an armor from head to foot, and carried a spear about twice as long and as heavy as any other man could hold. He defied the army of Israel and called, “Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me”; if he kill me, then we will be your servants: but if I kill him, then ye shall be our servants.

One day Jesse of Bethlehem sent his son David, of whom we heard yesterday, to visit his three brothers in the army. While he was talking with them, the giant came forth and repeated his challenge. David asked a few questions and in a short while was taken to Saul. He offered him his services, saying, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go.” Saul replied, “Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” David remained firm and said, “The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul tried to persuade David to wear an armor, but he found it too clumsy, and refused it. With a staff in his hand, five smooth stones in his shepherd’s bag and a sling in his other hand, the young shepherd started out against the giant. When the Philistine saw the young man without armor, he disdained him, saying; “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?” He cursed David and called, “Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air.” David replied, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from off thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines to the fowls of the air … that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel … and that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.”

The giant moved toward David, who was not afraid. He also went toward the Philistine. He reached into his bag, took out a stone, placed it in his sling, threw it and hit the giant in his forehead. He fell upon his face to the earth. David ran, and took the sword of Goliath and slew him. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled and were defeated.