Bible Stories: David And Goliath Poem by Dr John Celes

The Israelites with Saul as King were sad;
The Philistines with Goliath as head
Had challenged them at Socoh in Judah,
To send a warrior who dare defeat him.
For forty days, the king was in chaos;
They could not find a person for combat!

David, the shepherd lad was bringing food
For his older brothers daily by foot;
He heard the king’s promise to reward one,
Who would defeat Goliath in combat.

He went to Saul and told his desire;
He was undaunted and had great courage;
Saul had no choice but try him out at last;
David declined the armor from the king!

With just a sling upon his shoulder and
Five pebbles taken from the brook near-by,
He went to meet Goliath with his staff!
Oh, what a fearless lad, God had chosen!

In armor full, stood Goliath giant;
He cursed the puny David by his gods;
He told David, ‘you bring a staff to hit
A mighty warrior, like a dog! ’

But David said, ‘today, the Lord will give
You in my hands, and I will cut your head
Off, and throw your body to the birds, wild beasts!
The earth shall know that Israel has a God,
And Yahweh needs no sword or spear to kill,
And give the enemy into my hand! ’

Then David placed a pebble in his sling;
He swung it o’er his head and let it go!
The pebble found the giant’s temple fast;
The Philistine fell to the ground all dazed!
The Shepherd lad cut off the giant’s head,
Using his sword and showed it to his foes!

The Philistines fled, seeing leader killed!
They were pursued and fully defeated;
He took Goliath’s armor to his tent,
And head to Jerusalem for display!

When Saul had asked him whose son he was, then,
David said, ‘I’m your servant Jesse’s son! ’
A Shepherd lad had trounced, killed Goliath!
He was the future king of Israelites!
A pebble had surpassed the spear and shield!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-4-2008