David and Goliath

During the Philistine wars, the giant warrior Goliath of Gath challenged Israel to send a champion for single combat. For forty days, no Israelite answered, until the young shepherd David, son of Jesse, arrived to bring provisions to his brothers.

Refusing Saul’s armor, David faced Goliath with only a sling and five stones. When Goliath mocked him, David declared he came “in the name of the LORD of hosts.” His stone struck Goliath’s forehead, and David killed the giant with his own sword.

This victory launched David’s rise from shepherd to warrior to king. The Quran references this event: “So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and David killed Goliath” (2:251).