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The story of David and [[Goliath]] is one of the most famous stories of the Bible, and reveals much about David's faith and courage.  

The story of David and [[Goliath]] is one of the most famous stories of the Bible, and reveals much about David's faith and courage.  

The context is that as there was war between Saul and the Philistines, where the Philistines gathered together for battle against Israel, facing off in the hill region between the mountains of Judah and the plains of Philistia.<ref>Keil & Delitzsch, ibid.</ref> It is thought by Calmet that this war happened eight years after the anointing of David, and ten or twelve years after the war with the Amalekites .<ref>Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832), 1Sam. 17:1</ref>  A well armed, literal giant named Goliath, whose height has been estimated to be between approx. 9-11 feet<ref>Clarke, 1Sam. 17:4</ref> taunted Saul's army for 40 days, morning and evening, defying them to provide a man to fight and kill him, with the winner to gain the submission of all their respective opponents. Upon hearing his defiance, the Israelite's were “dismayed, and greatly afraid.” (1 Sam. 17:1-11)  

The context is that as there was war between Saul and the Philistines (1Sam. 14:52), where the Philistines gathered together for battle against Israel, facing off in the hill region between the mountains of Judah and the plains of Philistia.<ref>Keil & Delitzsch, ibid.</ref> It is thought by Calmet that this war happened eight years after the anointing of David, and ten or twelve years after the war with the Amalekites .<ref>Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., (1715-1832), 1Sam. 17:1</ref>  A well armed, literal giant named Goliath, whose height has been estimated to be between approx. 9-11 feet<ref>Clarke, 1Sam. 17:4</ref> taunted Saul's army for 40 days, morning and evening, defying them to provide a man to fight and kill him, with the winner to gain the submission of all their respective opponents. Upon hearing his defiance, the Israelite's were “dismayed, and greatly afraid.” (1 Sam. 17:1-11)  

Meanwhile, David's father had become frail, and his 3 eldest sons had followed Saul to battle.  David returned home to feed his sheep.<ref>Gill, 1Sam. 17:15</ref> With the Philistine crisis now ongoing for 40 days, Jesse instructs David to take provisions to the camp of his sons, and some cheese for their captain. David was to inquire as to their condition, and to bring some evidence of their welfare back, as they were in conflict with the Philistines in the valley of Elah. (1Sam. 17:12-19)   

Meanwhile, David's father had become frail, and his 3 eldest sons had followed Saul to battle.  David returned home to feed his sheep.<ref>Gill, 1Sam. 17:15</ref> With the Philistine crisis now ongoing for 40 days, Jesse instructs David to take provisions to the camp of his sons, and some cheese for their captain. David was to inquire as to their condition, and to bring some evidence of their welfare back, as they were in conflict with the Philistines in the valley of Elah. (1Sam. 17:12-19)