Grieving over King Saul’s rejection by God, the prophet Samuel was sent on a secret mission to Bethlehem to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as the next king. Samuel was impressed by Jesse’s older, taller sons, but God cautioned him: “The Lord does not see as man sees; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

After seven of Jesse’s sons were passed over, Samuel asked if there were any others. Jesse sent for his youngest, David, who was out tending the sheep. Upon seeing the young shepherd, the Lord said, “This is the one.” Samuel anointed David with oil, and the Spirit of God came upon him.

As the Spirit came to David, it departed from Saul, who became tormented by depression. His servants suggested music might soothe him and recommended David, who was known as a skilled harpist and a brave young man. David entered the king’s service, and his music brought peace to Saul’s troubled spirit.

Soon after, the Philistine army gathered for war, led by their champion: a giant named Goliath. For forty days, Goliath taunted the terrified Israelite army, challenging any man to single combat to decide the war, but no one dared to face him.

David, arriving at the camp to bring supplies to his brothers, was appalled that the giant was allowed to defy “the armies of the living God.” His courageous words reached King Saul, who summoned him. David convinced the sceptical king he could fight the giant, explaining how he had protected his flock from lions and bears. He refused the king’s heavy armour, choosing instead his familiar shepherd’s staff, a sling, and five smooth stones.

Goliath mocked the young shepherd, but David replied, “You come against me with sword and spear… but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty… This battle is the Lord’s.”

Running toward the giant, David slung a single stone that struck Goliath in the forehead, felling him instantly. David then used the giant’s own sword to cut off his head. Seeing their champion defeated, the Philistines fled in terror, and the Israelites won a great victory. After the battle, David was made a commander in Saul’s army, where he was successful in everything he did.