I Samuel 17
From David's Journal
After I had talked with a few of the soldiers they walked away. I didn't know where they went. In truth, I was too frustrated. I paced back and forth in front of my brother's tent, which annoyed him. He said, "David, I told you to go home."
I couldn't. Something had to be done. I squeezed my hand into a tight fist. If only I could fight Goliath. I wasn't not afraid.
Two of the Israelite soldiers came to me only a moment after I said those words. "King Saul wants to see you."
Most people might be afraid to hear those words. I guess I was way to angry to be afraid. I pressed my way in front of the soldiers and stomped to King Saul's tent. They didn't need to escort me or force me to go.
A soldier opened the tent and waved me inside. I bowed before the king. He sat in his chair with a sad face, like I'd seen him before. But today I would not play music for his sadness, nope, not today.
He raised his eyes and looked at me. "What have you to say, David?"
"My lord, please don't let any man here lose hope because of the giant. I will go and fight with this Philistine."
He didn't answer right away. I'm not sure what he thought. Maybe he wondered if I should have the reward he promised. I didn't want the reward, I only wanted Israel to not lose respect. We were God's chosen people.
He shook his head. "Come now David. You can't fight the Philistine giant. You are only a boy, he is a man of war with years of experience. He has been trained as a warrior. No, I think not."
I bowed to him again. "My lord, your servant keeps his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and hit it until the lamb fell from it's mouth. As the creature rose to fight me, I caught it by the beard and killed it. I have killed both lion and bear."
I raised my eyes to the king to show my sincerity. "This heathen Philistine will end up like the lion and bears who have attacked my sheep since he has mocked the army of the living God."
I felt heat rise in my face from the anger boiling inside me. "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
I took a few breaths to calm down. King Saul kept a close eye on me. He didn't smile or frown. I couldn't tell if he would give me permission to fight the giant or not. I wanted him to answer quickly. That giant couldn't be allowed to mock us again.
At last, Saul nodded. "Go, David. May the Lord be with you!"
Just like that! I had permission to fight the giant who mocked the Israelites. I wanted to shout and dance, but bowed my head. "Thank you."
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1. What did David want to do?
2. Where did the soldiers take David.
3. What did David say to King Saul?
4. What answer did Saul give the first time.
5. David explained why he was qualified to fight. What did he say?
6. What answer did Saul give the second time?
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