Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Goliath stood and called to the Israelites: Why do you form a battle line? Am I not a Philistine? Are you Saul's servants? Choose a man, and let him come down to fight me. If he can fight me and kill me we will be your slaves. But if I overpower him and kill him you will be our slaves and serve us. The Philistine added: I challenge the Israelite battle line today. Send out a man so we can fight each other. read more.
Saul and all the Israelites were overcome with fear when they heard what this Philistine said. David was a son of a man named Jesse from the region of Ephrath and the city of Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons. In Saul's day he was an old man. Jesse's three oldest sons joined Saul's army for the battle. The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest joined Saul's army. David went back and forth from Saul's camp to Bethlehem, where he tended his father's flock. Each morning and evening for forty days the Philistine came forward and made his challenge. Jesse told his son David: Take this half-bushel of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread to your brothers. Take them to your brothers in the camp right away. Also take these ten slices of cheese to the commanding officer. Find out how your brothers are getting along. Bring back something to show that you saw them and that they are well. King Saul, your brothers, and all the other Israelites are in Elah Valley fighting the Philistines. David obeyed his father. He got up early the next morning and left someone else in charge of the sheep. He loaded the supplies and started off. He reached the army camp just as the soldiers were taking their places and shouting the battle cry. The army of Israel and the Philistine army stood there facing each other. David left his things with the man in charge of supplies. He ran up to the battle line to ask his brothers if they were well. David talked to his brothers. Goliath came out from the line of Philistines and boasted as usual. David heard him. When the Israelite soldiers saw Goliath they were afraid and ran off. They said to each other: Look how he keeps coming out to insult us. The king offers a big reward to the man who kills Goliath. That man will even get to marry the king's daughter. No one in his family will ever have to pay taxes again. David asked some soldiers standing nearby: What will a man get for killing this Philistine and stopping him from insulting our people? Who does that worthless Philistine think he is? He makes fun of the army of the living God! The soldiers repeated to David how the man who kills Goliath would be treated. Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard David talking to the men. Then Eliab became angry with David. Why did you come here, he asked him, and with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how overconfident and headstrong you are. You came here just to see the battle. What have I done now? David snapped at him. Did I just ask a question? He turned to face another man and asked the same question. The other soldiers gave him the same answer. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him. David told Saul: No one should be discouraged because of this. I will go and fight this Philistine. Saul responded to David: You cannot fight this Philistine. You are just a boy. He has been a warrior since he was your age. David replied to Saul: I am a shepherd for my father's sheep. When a lion or a bear comes and carries off a sheep from the flock, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. If the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears. I will do the same to this heathen Philistine. He has defied the army of the living God. Jehovah saved me from lions and bears. He will save me from this Philistine. Saul answered: Go and Jehovah be with you. He gave his own armor to David for him to wear. It consisted of a copper helmet, which he put on David's head, and a coat of armor. David strapped Saul's sword over the armor and tried to walk. But he could not walk. I cannot fight with all this, he said to Saul. I am not used to it. So he took it all off. He took his shepherd's stick and picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath. The Philistine, preceded by the man carrying his shield came closer and closer to David. The Philistine got a good look at David and he despised him. David was only a young man with a healthy complexion and good looks. The Philistine asked David: Am I a dog that you come to attack me with sticks? So the Philistine called on his gods to curse David. Come here, the Philistine told David, and I will give your body to the birds. David answered: You come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I come out to fight you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. He is the Almighty God of Israel's army. You have insulted him! Today Jehovah will help me defeat you. I will knock you down and cut off your head! I will feed the bodies of the other Philistine soldiers to the birds and wild animals. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a real God. Everybody here will see that Jehovah does not need swords or spears to save his people. Jehovah always wins his battles. He will help us defeat you! Goliath started forward and David ran toward him. He put a rock in his sling and swung the sling around by its straps. When he let go of one strap, the rock flew out and hit Goliath on the forehead. It cracked his skull. He fell facedown on the ground. So David overcame the Philistine with his leather band and a stone. The Philistine was wounded and laying on the ground. But David had no sword in his hand. He ran to him and stood over him. David took Goliath's sword out of its sheath and cut off his head to kill him. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead they ran away. The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron. The sons of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines. They plundered their tents.

Abner yelled to Joab: Let some of our best soldiers get up and fight each other! Joab agreed. Twelve of Ishbosheth's men from the tribe of Benjamin got up to fight twelve of David's men. Each one grabbed his opponent by the head. Then he stuck his sword into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. That place in Gibeon is called the Field of Enemies. read more.
Fierce fighting broke out that day. In the end, David's men defeated Abner and the men of Israel.

Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.


Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.


Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.

War broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. Sibbecai from Hushah killed Sippai, a descendant of Haraphah, and the Philistines were defeated. When more fighting broke out with the Philistines, Elhanan, son of Jair, killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath from Gath. The shaft of Lahmi's spear was like a beam used by weavers. In another battle at Gath, there was a tall man who had twenty-four fingers and toes: six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He also was a descendant of Haraphah. read more.
When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimea, killed him. These men were the descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.


Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.

War broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. Sibbecai from Hushah killed Sippai, a descendant of Haraphah, and the Philistines were defeated. When more fighting broke out with the Philistines, Elhanan, son of Jair, killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath from Gath. The shaft of Lahmi's spear was like a beam used by weavers. In another battle at Gath, there was a tall man who had twenty-four fingers and toes: six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He also was a descendant of Haraphah. read more.
When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimea, killed him. These men were the descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.


A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him.


Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.

King David attacked the Philistines again. He defeated them and ended their control over Methegammah.

The Philistines heard that David was now king of Israel. They mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David found out and went into his fortress. So the Philistines camped in Rephaim Valley. David asked Jehovah: Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? Jehovah answered David: Attack! I will certainly deliver the Philistines to you. read more.
David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines. He said: Jehovah has overwhelmed my enemies in front of me like an overwhelming flood. That is why that place is called Baal Perazim (Master of Breaking Through) The Philistines left their idols there. David and his men carried them all away. The Philistines again attacked and overran the valley of Rephaim. Once again David consulted Jehovah. Jehovah answered David: Do not attack them from here. Go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees.

These are the names of David's warriors: Ishbosheth son of Hachmon was the leader of the Three Warriors. In one battle, he killed eight hundred men with his spear. The next one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite. One time when the Philistines were at war with Israel, he and David dared the Philistines to fight them. Every one of the Israelite soldiers turned and ran. Eleazar was the exception. He killed Philistines until his hand was cramped. He could not let go of his sword. When Eleazar finished, all the Israelite troops had to do was come back and take the enemies' weapons and armor. Jehovah gave Israel a great victory that day. read more.
Next in rank to him was Shammah, the son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of ripe lentils. When the troops fled from the Philistines, he stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So Jehovah won an impressive victory.


A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him.

A fighter came out from the tents of the Philistines. His name was Goliath of Gath. He was over nine feet tall. He had a headdress of copper on his head. He was dressed in a coat of metal that weighed one hundred twenty five pounds. He had copper shin guards on his legs and on his back a copper javelin. read more.
The shaft of his spear was like the beam used by weavers. The head of his spear was made of fifteen pounds of iron. The man who carried his shield walked ahead of him.

After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.


There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.

War broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. Sibbecai from Hushah killed Sippai, a descendant of Haraphah, and the Philistines were defeated.

A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him.

These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.

In another battle at Gath, there was a tall man who had twenty-four fingers and toes: six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He also was a descendant of Haraphah.

These men were the descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.


Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.

A fighter came out from the tents of the Philistines. His name was Goliath of Gath. He was over nine feet tall.

He put a rock in his sling and swung the sling around by its straps. When he let go of one strap, the rock flew out and hit Goliath on the forehead. It cracked his skull. He fell facedown on the ground. So David overcame the Philistine with his leather band and a stone. The Philistine was wounded and laying on the ground. But David had no sword in his hand.


The shaft of his spear was like the beam used by weavers. The head of his spear was made of fifteen pounds of iron. The man who carried his shield walked ahead of him.

A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him.