Introduction
1 Samuel 17:41–58: Goliath taunts David, and David responds by saying that he is acting in the name of the LORD. When David kills the Philistine champion, they retreat and are chased by the Israelites.
Today’s Key Verse: 1 Samuel 17:50
And so, without a sword, David defeated and killed Goliath with a sling and a stone!
Reading
41The Philistine started walking towards David, with his shield-bearer walking in front of him. He kept coming closer, 42and when he got a good look at David, he was filled with scorn for him because he was just a nice, good-looking boy. 43He said to David, “What’s that stick for? Do you think I’m a dog?” And he called down curses from his god on David. 44“Come on,” he challenged David, “and I will give your body to the birds and animals to eat.”
45David answered, “You are coming against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the Israelite armies, which you have defied. 46This very day the LORD will put you in my power; I will defeat you and cut off your head. And I will give the bodies of the Philistine soldiers to the birds and animals to eat. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a God, 47and everyone here will see that the LORD does not need swords or spears to save his people. He is victorious in battle, and he will put all of you in our power.”
48Goliath started walking towards David again, and David ran quickly towards the Philistine battle line to fight him. 49He put his hand into his bag and took out a stone, which he slung at Goliath. It hit him on the forehead and broke his skull, and Goliath fell face downwards on the ground. 50And so, without a sword, David defeated and killed Goliath with a sling and a stone! 51He ran to him, stood over him, took Goliath’s sword out of its sheath, and cut off his head and killed him.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they ran away. 52The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them, pursuing them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. 53When the Israelites came back from pursuing the Philistines, they looted their camp. 54David picked up Goliath’s head and took it to Jerusalem, but he kept Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.
David is Presented to Saul
55When Saul saw David going out to fight Goliath, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is he?”
“I have no idea, Your Majesty,” Abner answered.
56“Then go and find out,” Saul ordered.
57So when David returned to camp after killing Goliath, Abner took him to Saul. David was still carrying Goliath’s head. 58Saul asked him, “Young man, whose son are you?”
“I am the son of your servant Jesse from Bethlehem,” David answered.
Reflect
What does Goliath say to David as he begins to approach him (verses 41–44)? How does David respond (verses 45–47)? What do David’s words indicate about his faith? In what ways will you demonstrate your faith in God today?
Pray
Almighty God, you are always near and by my side. You are faithful and all powerful, and I trust in your promises. Guide me today in all I do and say. Glory to you, O Lord! Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
1 Samuel 23:1–29: Saul seeks to capture David.
