Chapter 5: The Giant Falls

Goliath saw David coming and laughed.

GOLIATH“Am I a dog, that you come at me with a stick? Come here - I will feed your flesh to the birds and the beasts!”

David did not flinch.

DAVID“You come to me with sword and spear. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel - whom you have defied. This day, the Lord will deliver you into my hand.”— 1 Samuel 17:45-47

Goliath moved forward. The ground shook beneath his steps.

But David did not retreat. He ran - straight toward the giant.

He reached into his bag, pulled out a stone, loaded his sling, and released it.

The stone flew. It struck Goliath in the forehead and sank deep. The giant's eyes went wide. His massive body swayed - and he crashed face-first into the dirt.

The valley fell silent.

David ran to the fallen giant, drew Goliath's own sword, and finished him.

When the Philistines saw their champion was dead, panic swept through their ranks. They turned and ran. The men of Israel - the same men who had trembled for forty days - rose up with a shout and chased them all the way to the gates of their cities.

The impossible had happened. A shepherd boy had defeated the giant.

But David knew the truth. It was not his victory. It was the Lord's.