1 Samuel 17:1-11 Now the Philistines gathered their encampments for battle, they gathered themselves together at Sokho and Azeika, at Efes Dammim, while Sha'ul and the men of Israel encamped in the Valley of the Oak, and arranged-their-ranks for battle to meet the Philistines. Now the Philistines were stationed on a hill, on this-side, while Israel was stationed on a hill on that-side, with the ravine between them. And there came out the Man of the Space-Between, from the Philistine ranks Golyat was his name, from Gat; His height was six cubits and a span. A helmet of bronze was upon his head, (with) armor of scales he was clothed, - the weight of the was five thousand shekel-weights of bronze greaves of bronzes were upon his legs, and a scimitar of bronze was between his shoulders; now the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the flashing-point of his spear was a six hundred shekel-weights of iron. And the shield bearer walked before him. He stood and called out to the ranks of Israel, he said to them: Why do you not come-out and arrange-your-ranks for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you are servants of Sha'ul? Choose yourself a man that he may come-down to me! If he prevails in doing-battle with me and strikes-me-down, then we will become your servants, but if I prevail and strike him down, then you will become our servants, and will have to serve us. And the Philistine said, As for me, I mock the ranks of Israel this day, give me a man, that we may do-battle together! When Sha'ul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were shattered and exceedingly afraid. DAVID by Josephine Miles[1] Goliath stood up clear in the assumption of status, Strong and unquestioning of himself and others, Fully determined by the limits of his experience. I have seen such a one among surgeons, sergeants, Deans and giants, the power implicit, Then there was David, who made few assumptions, Had little experience, but for more was ready, Testing and trying this pebble or that pebble, This giant or that giant, He is not infrequent. How could Goliath guess, with his many assumptions, The force of the slung shot of the pure-hearted? How could David fear, with his few hypotheses, The power of status which is but two-footed? So he shot and he shouted! I Samuel 18:1-9 Now it was, when he finished speaking to Sha'ul - now Yehonatan's own self had become with bound up with David's self, so that Yehonatan had grown-to-love David like his (own) self that Sha'ul took him (into service)on that day, and did not give him (leave) to return to his father's house. And Yehonotan and David cut a covenant, because of his love from him, like his (own) self; Yehonatan stripped off the cloak that he had on and gave it to David along with his uniform, including his sword, his bow and his belt. And David went out, (and) everywhere that Sha'ul sent him, he prospered. Sha'ul placed him over the men of war, And it was good in the eyes of all the people, and also in in the eyes of Saul's servants. And it was in their coming-back, at David's return from striking the Philistine, that women went out from all of the towns in Israel, for singing and dances, to meet King Sha'ul with timbrels, And the dancing women chanted and said: Sha'ul has struck-down his thousands, but David, his myriads! Sha'ul became exceedingly upset, this matter was ill in his eyes, he said (to himself): They give-credit to David (for) myriads, but to me they give-credit for thousands! There yet (remains) for him only the kingdom! And Sha'ul was keeping-an-eye on David from that day on. JONATHAN AND DAVID by Thomas W. Shapcott From Portrait of Saul[2] Yes, but to remember them for their love is to remember them for their youth: Laughter, not a covert whispering; the noise clatter of playing field and bodies so alike they move in a teamwork; do not suppose that what they give each other is theirs to hold or withhold. Bitter and old I watch how they embrace each other free with the one gift I no longer have. The strings of David's harp are bars of a cage. a sour taste corrodes through his sweet song. I am afraid. The desires of a King are comfortless: my Palace holds me hostage. And, if I had him, what then could I, Saul, Do but mortify, condemn, despoil? [1] "David" by Josephine Miles from "Poems:1930-1960." Indiana Univ. Press.back [2] "Jonathan and David" by Thomas W. Shapcott, from "Portrait of Saul." "Selected Poems" by permission of Univ. of Queensland Press. back Does David Still Play Before You? Israeli Poetry and the Bible, David C. Jacobson. © Wayne State University Press, 1997. Reprinted by permission of WSUP. David Curzon, editor: Modern Poems of the Bible: An Anthology (JPS, 1994) ISBN: 0-8276-0449-1 DAVID Table of Contents