Giant-Slayer!

David was a shepherd, he was Jesse’s youngest son,

And although he was the smallest, he was God’s anointed one.

He had seven older brothers, who were big and strong and smart,

But the outer things don’t matter when God’s looking at your heart.

---

Now three of David’s brothers – the eldest of them all,

Were camped outside the city with the armies of King Saul.

But David wasn’t old enough to join in with the battle,

He stayed at home in Bethlehem, attending to the cattle.

---

One day his father handed him a bag of grain and bread,

‘Take these to your brothers, bring back news of them’ he said.

So just as day was dawning, young David rose and went,

And ran to meet his brothers, with the food his father sent.

---

The Israelites came marching out with shouts and battle cries,

And as David followed after them, he got a BIG surprise.

For marching round the valley, a giant of a man,

Was challenging the Israelites: “Come fight me – if you can!”

---

This Philistine was massive, he was over nine feet tall,

And the Israelites would tremble every time they heard him call.

His spear was like a weaver’s beam, his armour weighed a ton!

“Is there no-one that would challenge me?”

He boomed at everyone.

---

For forty days he taunted them,

But no-one volunteered,

“You call yourselves an army, huh?”

Goliath loudly jeered.

---

But David wasn’t frightened as you’d probably suppose,

In fact, this mouthy Philistine got right up David’s nose!

---

“Who is this heathen Philistine?”

Young David boldly called,

“He dares defy the armies of the true and Living Lord?

What’s the prize for killing him?” he went and asked the others,

“Just go back home and feed the sheep…” warned David’s older brothers.

---

King Saul heard this commotion, so he summoned David in,

“You’re just a lad for goodness sakes, you’ll never EVER win!”

But David was determined, he was totally persuaded,

“The Lord will keep me safe”, he cried, “I do not fight unaided!”

---

King Saul was flabbergasted, but this kid was on a mission,

“Very well, young David, you can fight…on one condition:

You must wear my finest armour from your head down to your toe,

And may the Lord watch over you, and bless you as you go!”

---

But David wasn’t used to wearing bronze from head to toe,

He couldn’t move a muscle, and he wasn’t good to go!

A shepherd’s stick, a pouch and sling,

Were all that David took,

And five, flat stones he’d taken from the peaceful, babbling brook.

---

And when he neared the battle line,

Goliath roared with laughter,

“I’ll eat you up for breakfast and I’ll still be hungry after!”

---

Now Goliath was no gentleman, he didn’t mince his words:

“I’ll tear off all your flesh and then I’ll feed it to the birds!”

---

But David stood his ground,

His faith was bigger than his foe,

“Listen up Goliath, ‘cos there’s something you should know!

You come at me with sword and spear and javelin – it’s true,

But in the Name of God alone, I’m coming after you!”

---

Goliath moved in closer, he was ready to attack,

David ran to meet him; letting nothing hold him back,

He reached into his bag and popped a pebble in his sling,

And suddenly with lightning speed, he hurled it with a FLING!”

---

It hit the mighty giant man, right between the eyes,

The stone sank in,

The armies gasped in terror and surprise,

You could have heard a pin drop – for no one made a sound,

Then like a fallen tree,

Goliath thundered to the ground!

---

The Philistines were terrified, they panicked and they fled,

They couldn’t quite believe it,

Their champion was dead.

---

A shepherd boy had conquered with a stone,

And with a prayer,

And with faith that moves a mountain,

He became a giant-slayer!