There was again war with the Philistines. Among them was a mighty
champion by name Goliath, who for 40 days came before the camp and
mocked the Israelites, because no one dared to meet him in combat. The
king promised to give his daughter to him who could slay the champion.
When David came to the camp and learned this, he offered to go against
him. But Saul objected: Thou art young, and he is a warrior from his
youth. David answered: Once while I kept my father’s sheep there came a
lion and a bear and took a lamb; but I went against them, killed them
and saved the lamb. The Lord who delivered me from the lion and the bear
will also deliver me from this Philistine. Then Saul said: Go, and the
Lord be with thee. David took his staff and his sling and five smooth
stones from the brook, and went against Goliath. When the champion saw
him he cried: Am I a dog that thou comest against me with staves? David
answered: Thou comest against me with sword and with spear; but I come
against thee in the name of the Lord, the God of hosts. Then he put a
stone in his sling and threw it, and struck the champion in the
forehead, so he fell to the earth. David ran and drew the Philistine’s
sword out of the sheath, and cut off his head. David was placed over the
army, and later he got Saul’s daughter to wife. And Jonathan, the son of
Saul, loved David as his own soul. (1 Sam. 17.)