David: The Conqueror

Israel, under King Saul, was at war with the Philistines. A giant named Goliath of Gath, six cubits and a span tall, a member of the Philistine shock troops (1 Samuel 17: 4), defied the Israelite army for forty days, proposing that they choose their best man to face him. In Goliath's words, if he was defeated and killed by the Israelites, the Philistines would be Israel's slaves, but if he defeated and killed Israel's chosen ones, the Israelites would be the Philistines' slaves (1 Samuel 17: 8-9). The Hebrews greatly feared Goliath and slipped away from the challenge.

David, whose father had asked him to travel to the camp to check on his older brothers and bring them some food, heard the giant's challenge (1 Samuel 17:23). According to the Bible, the condition of the shepherd led David to be concerned with defending his flocks from the attacks of wild beasts, and, using his talent, he used the staff and a sling. With this, he appeared before King Saul and proposed to fight the giant. With Saul's consent, David dressed in the king's armor, but not being used to wearing it, he disposed of it and headed to the battlefield with only his sling. Along the way, he collected five smooth stones in a stream and stood in front of the giant Goliath. This one made fun of him and had at least the youngest of the sons of Jesse who showed up to have a single combat with him.