Bible KidVentures Old Testament Stories by Focus on the Family

Author:Focus on the Family
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian, FICTION / Christian / General
ISBN: 9781624053740
Publisher: Focus on the Family
Published: 2014-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

All through the heat of the desert afternoon, Galen and Ziklag sat in the shelter of the Philistine tents and stared thoughtfully across the Valley of Elah. The boys had exhausted all ideas of how to change Goliath’s mocking insults into such admiration for Galen that he would be allowed to carry the giant’s shield. In the cool of the evening, when both armies had gathered on their hillsides, facing each other, Goliath would again shout his taunts across to the Israelites.

Zik changed his position as the sun erased his shady spot. Lowering his voice, he said, “I don’t blame the Israelites for not accepting Goliath’s challenge. The Israelites only have wooden weapons, while our people use iron and bronze. So we’re not only the best warriors anywhere, but we’re equipped with the finest weapons in the world.”

Galen nodded absently, his eyes sweeping the small valley, with its famous terebinth trees and seasonal wildflowers. A shimmering silver string along the valley floor marked a small stream. Galen shifted his gaze to the right, where the Israelite camp showed movement.

Galen mused, “I think they’re getting ready to eat. When they finish, they’ll come out and form up as they always do when they know Goliath is about to make his usual challenge.”

“Then we’d better go to my tent,” Ziklag replied, standing up. “You know how my mother likes to have us show up on time when she’s ready to serve the meal.”

A heavy sigh escaped Galen as the memory of his own mother flooded his aching heart. He was grateful that Zik’s family had taken him in and had been kind to him after his parents and brother died. Still, nothing would ease the pain of having lost his entire family when disease carried them away. Galen still sometimes felt guilty because he alone had recovered.

As the evening cooled, Galen and Zik approached Goliath’s tent. Inside, Goliath’s armor bearer had already laid out the giant’s coat of mail, helmet, greaves, spear, and javelin. The armor bearer’s job was to follow after Goliath on the battlefield and finish off anyone he cut down. Leander looked up from where he was carefully oiling Goliath’s huge shield.

From his great height, Goliath looked down at Galen and Zik and laughed. “So, the ant dares show up in spite of the inglorious spectacle he made of himself earlier today!”

Galen pretended he didn’t hear Goliath’s mocking tone or see the smirk on Leander’s face. “I came,” Galen began, taking a quick breath, “to ask to be your shield bearer for this evening.”

Galen heard a surprised snort of derision from Leander, but Goliath narrowed his eyes. He thoughtfully regarded Galen for a few seconds before answering. Then he shrugged his mighty shoulders. “Why not?”

Leander made a startled, choking sound. Goliath half turned toward him and winked. Galen knew he wasn’t supposed to have seen that, but it didn’t matter. He had something to prove to both Goliath and Leander, and it was only natural they would see him as a pest.

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