DAVID & GOLIATH
A short story/play Scene: Mum sitting in chair or on bed reading a bedtime story. “David & Goliath” written on the cover of the book. Mum: The Israelites were terrified and were reminded each day how bad the situation was. One day when David was delivering some cheese and bread to his brothers he heard the roar of Goliath, the huge champion Philistine warrior, echoing through the valley. ..."Why don't you come and line up for battle ?" David turned to his brothers and the Israelite soldiers around and said , "What will be done for the man who kills Goliath ?" "Goliath is a disgrace to Israel !" David's brothers were totally offended that David wasn't frightened and they made out as if it was nothing to send someone into battle against Goliath. They even told him to leave and return back to watching his flocks. But the words that David had said concerning Goliath had been reported to the King of Israel ...King Saul. David was then called before Saul where he said "No one should be scared of this Goliath guy ! I'm your servant and I will go and fight him!" Son: Is he crazy ? He's going to wipe himself out without even knowing what's hit him ! Well what did the king say ? Did he just laugh at David ? Mum: Well King Saul said " You are not able to go out against the Philistine and fight him. You are only a boy and this giant of a man has been a fighter since his youth. " David responded saying "I have killed lions and bears when they have attacked my sheep. I've seized their hair, struck and killed them. Son : WOOWW ! He's killed lions and bears ! This guy is crazy !! Mum: David continued to say.. A Philistine to me is just like one of them ! "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine !" Son: Mum, how did he do it ? Did he get on his knees and pray .."God help me as I grab this lion by his mane and strike this bear ? " I'd like to see that ! How did he have such courage ? You reckon if I prayed to kill a... Mum: (interrupting) Now son, don't you go getting any smart ideas here ! Son: So did the king let him go ?? Quick read on ... Mum: Saul said " Go and the Lord be with you ! " Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword and tried to walk around, but it was all too big and heavy for a shepherd boy like him. "I can't wear this ! he said as he took off the kings armor and picked up just his shepherd's stick. Son: Is this guy crazy !! He is so stupid ! Not only is he fighting a giant, he's going to battle with no armor ! I give him ten seconds and he is dead...caput ...zero...etc.. Mum : The king watched David walk to the nearby stream to collect five smooth stones. He put them in his little shepherd's pouch and collected his sling. Son : Wow ! He's going to "flick" a stone at this giant ? Why smooth stones ? If it were me, I'd have gotten spiky-rough stones that would do the most damage to Goliath's skin. What's a smooth stone going to do against a giant covered in bronze armor ? Mum: David went out to meet Goliath in the valley. When Goliath saw who was coming he said "Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks ? Come here ! I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field! " David calmly replied, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Son : What does defied mean mum ? Mum: Well defy in this situation means to challenge or refuse obedience to God. David continued to say... "This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcass of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. And the whole earth will know that there is a God in Israel." Everyone was silent. Then David continued.. "all those gathered here will know that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord's and he will give all of you into our hands." Son: So not only was he planning on killing this giant, he was planning on winning the whole battle. He's very very confident isn't he ? Mum : Goliath was angry and moved closer to attack him. David ran toward the battle line to meet hi. He reached onto his bag, took out a stone and slung it and struck Goliath on the head !! The stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. Son: Capoom !! Was he dead ? Quick read on . Mum: David ran over and stood over him. He took hold of Goliath's sword and killed him. Then he cut off his head with the sword. Son : Wow ! Awesome !! Mum: When the Philistines saw what had happened to their champion, they fled as fast as they could run. They were quickly chased by the whole Israelite army. When they caught them, the Israelites defeated them just like David had said ! God was on their side that day and David had trusted God for their victory. Then David took Goliath's head to king Saul. And that's the end of the chapter. Time to sleep now ... Son: That was such a good story- blood, guts, giant, head cut off ! What more could you ask for . Imagine what it was like carrying Goliath's head to the king...it would have been really heavy ! I'd like to be like David when I grow up. 'night mum. eliab.com, 2003 Contributed by Geoffry Hayman Check out another David & Goliath puppet play at Eliab.com |
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