584
Patriarchs and Prophets
upon his opponent. The son of Jesse was preparing for his foe. “And
it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to
meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the
Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone,
and slang it, and smote the Philistine in the forehead, that the stone
sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.”
Amazement spread along the lines of the two armies. They had
been confident that David would be slain; but when the stone went
whizzing through the air, straight to the mark, they saw the mighty
warrior tremble, and reach forth his hands, as if he were struck with
sudden blindness. The giant reeled, and staggered, and like a smitten
oak, fell to the ground. David did not wait an instant. He sprang upon
the prostrate form of the Philistine, and with both hands laid hold of
Goliath’s heavy sword. A moment before, the giant had boasted that
with it he would sever the youth’s head from his shoulders and give
his body to the fowls of the air. Now it was lifted in the air, and then
the head of the boaster rolled from his trunk, and a shout of exultation
went up from the camp of Israel.
The Philistines were smitten with terror, and the conclusion which
ensued resulted in a precipitate retreat. The shouts of the triumphant
Hebrews echoed along the summits of the mountains, as they rushed
after their fleeing enemies; and they “pursued the Philistines, until
thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded
of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath,
and unto Ekron. And the children of Israel returned from chasing after
the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. And David took the head
of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in
his tent.”
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