Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Calm (04/09/26)
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TITLE: One Stone, One Giant, One God | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
04/11/26 -
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“We plan to follow Saul into battle,” Eliab responded.
“All of you?” Jesse asked, surprised.
“No, Dad—just me, Abinadab, and Shammah. Our baby brother David will stay behind and tend the flocks,” Eliab added with a sneer.
It was obvious the three older brothers didn’t think much of David. Why? Who knows. Maybe it was because he seemed to be their father’s favorite—or maybe they were just tired of him turning every sheep-tending trip into a musical concert.
Off to war the three marched, with David waving goodbye from the end of the lane. However, they didn’t completely escape their younger brother, because David went back and forth between the battlefield and home to tend his sheep. (Turns out even future heroes still have chores.)
One day Jesse said to him, “Son, take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread to your brothers. Also, take this cheese to the commander of their unit. Hurry—go see how your brothers are doing and bring back some news. Let me know how the battle is going.”
Early the next morning, David set off. He reached the camp just as the army was heading out to battle, shouting the war cry. David left his provisions with the supply keeper and ran to the battle lines.
“Do you know where my brothers are?” he asked a nearby soldier.
As he was speaking, a giant of a man stepped out in front of the Philistine lines. David’s eyes widened, and his mouth formed a perfect “O.” This man was enormous. And as the giant appeared, all the Israelites ran for cover.
Cowards, thought David.
He walked over to a soldier and, tugging on his robe, asked, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? He is mocking God.”
“The man who kills the giant will be greatly honored by the king,” the soldier replied.
When David’s brothers saw him talking to the soldier, they stormed over.
“Are you spying on us, little brother?” they demanded. “Go back home to your sheep. You don’t belong here.”
“I was only talking,” David replied. “What’s it to you anyway?” Then, turning back to the soldier, he added, “Tell the king I will fight the giant.”
“You?!” his brothers laughed. “This we’ve got to see.”
David was taken to King Saul, where he calmly and confidently repeated his offer.
“You? A mere boy?” Saul said, raising an eyebrow. “You will fight the giant?”
“If I can kill a lion and a bear while tending my father’s sheep, then I can certainly defeat this giant,” David replied. “He is defying the armies of the living God.”
Saul paused, then shrugged. “Well… alright. Go, and may God be with you. Would you like to wear my armor?”
David looked at the heavy armor, then at himself. “No thank you,” he said. “I think I’ll stick with what I know.” (Also, it’s hard to look heroic when you can’t walk.)
Taking his staff and slingshot, David went to a nearby stream. He chose five smooth stones and placed them in his pouch, then returned to the battle line.
Meanwhile, Goliath appeared again, mocking Israel and their God. “Who will fight me?” he bellowed. “Come and face me!”
Calmly, David stepped forward. “I will fight you.”
Goliath squinted at him. “Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?” he roared. “I’ll feed you to the birds!” He laughed so hard it seemed the ground shook.
David placed a stone in his sling and stepped forward. With steady focus, he slung the stone. It flew through the air and struck Goliath in the forehead. The giant, still mid-laugh, fell face down to the ground.
David ran forward, stood over him, and—using Goliath’s own sword—finished the victory.
King Saul was amazed.
His brothers were annoyed.
The soldiers couldn’t believe their eyes.
And the Philistines? They ran.
David later brought the giant’s head to Jerusalem. No longer would this enemy mock and defy God.
In time, David would write: “You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.”
David had great confidence in his God—a God who gave him calm courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
And all it took was one stone… and a whole lot of faith.
Scripture story from 1 Samuel 17
Scripture verse Psalm 59:9-10 (NLT)
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Until the narrator's notes, in parentheses. They distracted me away from your otherwise good story. Work on staying in POV, please.
On a positive note, I enjoyed the brothers' reactions. Such as, they "were annoyed."