Israelites and Philistines. The camp of the Israelites was on one
hill, and that of the Philistines was upon another; a valley lying
between. For forty days these armies had been facing each other, but
yet the battle had been delayed. The Philistines had on their side a
giant of great height and strength, encased in armour, who daily came
out, challenging the Israelites to send a man from their camp to fight
with him. But no man among them dared to go against Goliath, the
Philistines' champion.

Meanwhile Jesse had sent David to the Israelites' camp to see after
his brethren. He heard what the giant said, and offered to go out
against him. Saul was informed of David's offer, and sent for him.
Saul told David he was not able to fight the giant, but he boldly
replied, "The Lord which delivered me out of the paw of the lion and
out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this
Philistine." David trusted not in his own power, but in God! Then Saul
said, "Go, and the Lord be with thee."

He went, slung one of the smooth stones he had chosen out of the
brook, smote the Philistine in the forehead so that he fell to the
earth, and then ran and cut off his head. Thus God enabled this ruddy
youth to overcome the giant Philistine, and to slay him with a sling
and a stone.

[Illustration: CHOOSING SMOOTH STONES OUT OF THE BROOK.]




NATHAN REPROVING THE KING.