David, the youngest son of Jesse the Ephrathite,
A shepherd boy who wasn’t afraid of a fight.
He tended his father’s sheep, and in a moment of their despair,
He smote a lion and a bear.
From his brothers he was set apart,
Anointed above them, after God measured his heart.
Armor bearer to Saul, who was tormented by a spirit.
David’s harp gave him rest when he could hear it.
Sent home to tend to his flock, but then he had to go,
Tasked to take cheese, corn and bread to his brothers facing the Philistines camped in Shochoh.
Goliath of Gath, who stood six cubits and a span,
Heavily armored beyond any normal man.
A helmet of brass, and five thousands shekels more was his coat of mail,
His greaves and shoulder target made of brass as well.
The staff of his spear weighted six hundred shekels, and was as a weaver’s beam,
Terrifying as an unexpected nightmare that comes when you dream.
But it wasn’t just the armor and weapons he was able to wield,
The final piece was another with him bearing his shield.
Goliath mocked Saul’s army and challenged any man to a bet,
Winner take all, and servitude would be the losing sides debt.
He continued to mock the men and challenged them to a fight,
The soldiers cowered, but David saw it in a very different light.
He asked of his people what would become of a victor,
Surely the king would free his father’s house, give his daughter, and make him significantly richer.
David was ready to step up for the cause,
He went before Saul, but the boy’s youth gave him pause.
Saul’s argument was in vain, as David had no fear,
For David had heart, and with God on his side, he smote a lion and a bear.
With the fight looming, it was time to prepare,
However, unproved armor he was not able to wear.
Instead he gathered five stones from a brook, wrapped in scrip,
Into his shepherd’s bag, and a sling in his grip.
The time had come, and David approached the Philistine,
Goliath was insulted by the challenge from a boy so young and lean.
David retaliated, and like a lion he roared,
Declaring that the battle belongs to the Lord.
For God does not give victory based on what weapon you carry or armor you wear,
He measures your heart, and this young boy wasn’t even afraid of a bear.
David reached in his bag, and grabbed a stone,
Out of a sling, and into the air it was thrown.
It made it’s way through the air until it sunk into Goliath’s head,
Dropping him to the earth and he was dead.
David ran hastily and stood over his foe,
Taking his sword, and cutting off his head with the final blow.
A young boy with great faith, some stones, and a sling,
He would go on to one day become a king.
But I don’t want this to end with you thinking that a the real giant in this story failed,
It was David’s heart that God measured which prevailed.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Joel,
David & Goliath is one of the first stories I learned in Bible school as a child. It’s always fascinated me and continues to this very day. Great poem of the faith and spirit of this lad who would become a great King and more importantly, the Omnipotent Almighty God who goes before His children and leads them to victory every time!
Great job. Really enjoying your poems!
God Bless~
Glad you enjoyed the poem. There is so much for one to absorb over this event that is told over only a couple chapters. We always hear about Goliath being a “giant”, but I don’t think David ever viewed him that way. He defeated a lion and a bear, and to top it off, he was anointed by God. To him, Goliath was just another small obstacle to overcome, which continued him on a path to becoming a king.
Pride goes before a fall and it was demonstrated in this story in several ways. It seemed to David that this giant was a hinderance and needed to be taken out. The Lord gave him a bravery so that he didn’t flinch at this challenge.after all David experienced God’s protection as he overtook strong beasts.
Very well executed poem that told the details of this miraculous story that captures our attention and shows the powerful spirit of those who trust in the almighty Lord.
Great job Joel. A point well made. What is in your heart is what really matters!