Changes

Subsequently, Saul's army was in a standoff against a Philistine army of some size. In the middle of the standoff, a giant-sized warrior named [[Goliath]] came out to challenge the Israelites to send a [[champion]] to fight him in single combat, to decide the issue. The role of single combat to decide a battle between evenly matched forces is well-attested in the Middle East and the [[Mediterranean]] world, so this was hardly an unusual request. What made it formidable was Goliath's sheer size: six cubits and a hand-span tall, and wearing armor that weighed 500 brass [[shekel]]s.<ref name=GeoCities/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_Samuel|chap=17}}</ref>

Subsequently, Saul's army was in a standoff against a Philistine army of some size. In the middle of the standoff, a giant-sized warrior named [[Goliath]] came out to challenge the Israelites to send a [[champion]] to fight him in single combat, to decide the issue. The role of single combat to decide a battle between evenly matched forces is well-attested in the Middle East and the [[Mediterranean]] world, so this was hardly an unusual request. What made it formidable was Goliath's sheer size: six cubits and a hand-span tall, and wearing armor that weighed 500 brass [[shekel]]s.<ref name=GeoCities/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_Samuel|chap=17}}</ref>

In all the army of Israel, no warrior was willing to accept the challenge--none, that is, except a strapping young red-cheeked lad of twenty-two. Saul heard that the lad was asking every trooper in sight what reward Saul would give to any man who bested Goliath, and sent for him. Instead of apologizing, the young man said, {{Bible quote|Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.|book=Samuel|chap=17|verses=32|version=KJV}}

In all the army of Israel, no warrior was willing to accept the challenge--none, that is, except a strapping young red-cheeked lad of eighteen. Saul heard that the lad was asking every trooper in sight what reward Saul would give to any man who bested Goliath, and sent for him. Instead of apologizing, the young man said, {{Bible quote|Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.|book=Samuel|chap=17|verses=32|version=KJV}}

Saul couldn't believe such brashness. He pointed out that Goliath had been in the army since he'd been about this youth's age. The lad was unmoved, and said that he had handled lions who had tried to steal his father's sheep, and he would handle Goliath the same way.<ref name=GeoCities/>

Saul couldn't believe such brashness. He pointed out that Goliath had been in the army since he'd been about this youth's age. The lad was unmoved, and said that he had handled lions who had tried to steal his father's sheep, and he would handle Goliath the same way.<ref name=GeoCities/>