004. David Faces Peril with Faith and Courage

From 1 Samuel 16-17, about 5 minutes

Participants (No need to memorize lines; the aim is not to perform but to relive sacred events)

Samuel
David
Voice (of God)
Goliath
Prompter: Shouts a brief line, and Echoes repeat it.
Echoes: Children and adults who want to take part. Echoes need no script.

Voice	Samuel, I have rejected Saul from being king over Israel. He has disobeyed my commands. Take the anointing oil and go to Jesse in Bethlehem; I have chosen a king from among his sons.
Samuel	I go as God said, and invite Jesse and his sons to a sacrifice. Here they come. Oh, here is Eliab, tall and handsome.
Prompter & Echoes	Surely he is the one!
Voice	No, Samuel. I reject Eliab. Man sees the outward appearance, but I see the heart.
Samuel	Jesse has seven of his sons pass before me, but God chooses none of them.
Prompter & Echoes	Why not?
Samuel	I ask Jesse if these are all of his sons, and he reluctantly sends for his youngest, David, who is tending the sheep.
David	What do you want, father? I must get back to the flock; I heard a wolf howling this morning.
Voice	Samuel, this is he. Anoint David. He will someday be king of Israel.
Samuel	Soon after, the Philistine army invades and camps in the valley of Elah. A giant, Goliath, comes out from their army; he is wearing armor, has a sword at his side, and carries a huge spear.
Prompter & Echoes	He is fearsome!
Samuel	The soldiers of Israel watch in awe.
Voice	Listen to the giant taunt.
Goliath	(Shout) Men of Israel! Choose your champion and send him out to fight. If he kills me, we will serve you. If I slay him, you will serve us. I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man to fight! Who will come fight me?
Prompter & Echoes	A dreadful challenge!
Samuel	Meanwhile, Jesse gives David bread to take to his brothers who are now serving in King Saul’s army. Eliab, the oldest, scolds David for coming to watch the battle.
David	Oh no, Eliab! Our father sent this bread to you and your brothers. Tell me, why do our soldiers fear that proud pagan Philistine? I will go to King Saul and offer to go down and fight him.
Prompter & Echoes	But you’re just a boy!
Samuel	Saul tells David that he is too young and inexperienced and that Goliath has been a warrior since his youth.
David	King Saul, your servant killed a lion and a bear that took lambs from my father’s flock. I will do the same to this Philistine, since he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord delivered me from the lion and the bear, and he will do the same now.
Prompter & Echoes	Courageous faith!
Samuel	Saul puts his armor on David, but it’s too heavy, and he takes it off. David chooses five smooth stones from a brook. Now he faces the giant, carrying only a stick and a sling, the kind that one swings in circles.
Goliath	(Laugh) Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks? Ha! I curse you by my gods. Come and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky.
David	You come to me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, whom you have ridiculed.
Samuel	David runs to meet the giant. He whirls the sling. He releases the stone. It is flying through the air!
Prompter & Echoes	Wham!
Samuel	It strikes the Philistine’s forehead.
Prompter & Echoes	The giant falls!
Samuel	David runs, grabs the Philistine’s sword and severs his head. The Philistine soldiers see their champion fall, and they flee.
Prompter & Echoes	God delivers us!