Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/265

 strangled and  killed  them. I will go  now  and  take  away  the reproach of  the  people. The Lord,  who  delivered  me  out  of  the paw of  the  lion  and  the  bear,  will  deliver  me  out  of  the  hand  of this  Philistine.”

At last  Saul  consented  and  said: “Go,  and  the  Lord  be  with thee.” Saul  then  clothed  David  with  his  own  armour  or  coat  of mail,  and  put  a helmet  of  brass  on  his  head. But David,  unused to wear  armour,  could  not  move  freely  under  its  weight,  and therefore he  laid  it  aside.

Then he  took  his  staff  which  he  had  always  in  his  hands, and chose  five  smooth  stones  from  the  brook  and  put  them  in the  shepherd's  scrip  which  he  had  with  him;  and  taking  a sling in his  hand  he  went  forth  to  meet  the  Philistine.

When Goliath  drew  near  and  beheld  David  coming  on,  he despised  him  and  said:  “Am  I a dog  that  thou  comest  to  me with  a staff?”  Then  cursing  David  by  his  gods  he  said:  “Come to me,  and  I will  give  thy  flesh  to  the  birds  of  the  air,  and  to the  beasts  of  the  earth.”  David  answered:  “Thou  comest  to  me with  a sword,  and  with  a spear,  and  with  a shield;  but  I come to thee  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  whom  thou  hast defied. I will slay  thee  and  take  away  thy  head  from  thee,  that all may  know  that  there  is  a God  in  Israel.”

Meanwhile the  Philistine  arose,  advanced  and  made  ready  for the fight; David,  on  his  part,  making  haste  ran  up  to  meet  the giant. While running  he  quickly  took  a stone  from  his  scrip, laid it  in  his  sling,  and  swinging  it  swiftly  he  aimed  and  struck Goliath so  violently  on  the  forehead  that  he  reeled  and  fell  on his  face  upon  the  earth. Then David,  rushing  up  and  taking Goliath’s sword  from  its  scabbard,  cut  off  his  head.