David & Goliath Part I

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on The Chosen People. Saul slid to his knees, his great shoulders trembling. His breath came in ragged gulps as he pressed his forehead against the cold floor. He did not understand it. 00:00:17 Speaker 2: You're the king. You're the king, dammit. 00:00:25 Speaker 1: Act like it. There was something inside him. Something dark, something clawing. He had known anger before, but this, this was different. This was like a living thing. 00:00:42 Speaker 3: I was recently in Bethlehem speaking with one of your budding new generals. 00:00:45 Speaker 1: Eliab, son of Jesse. 00:00:47 Speaker 3: While I was there, I met his younger brother. 00:00:50 Speaker 4: He's a shepherd boy, but he is a skilled player of the lyre. 00:00:57 Speaker 1: His music was unlike anything. 00:00:59 Speaker 3: Anything I'd ever heard before. It was like listening to the heavenly hosts themselves. And this young man is not only a musician, my king. Why, I've heard that he is resourceful as well. He could be a nice shield-bearer for you. 00:01:16 Speaker 1: David lowered himself to one knee. 00:01:19 Speaker 4: My king, I am David, son of Jesse, at your service. 00:01:24 Speaker 1: He plucked the first notes from his lyre. A soft quiet melody that hummed through the air like a distant wind. The music was gentle, not demanding attention, but drawing it all the same. Saul closed his eyes. The war drums pounded like a heartbeat, slow and steady. The Philistine camp was alive with firelight and snarling chants, the kind of primal fervor that turned men into beasts. Across the valley, King Saul stood with his men behind him, overlooking the battlefield from the ridge. He had dreamed of war and longed for its glory, the ring of clashing iron, the songs of victory. But now, standing before the Valley of Ella, he felt none of it. Jonathan was away, finishing off the Amalekites, leaving Saul to be the tip of the spear. He certainly looked the part, but anxiety gripped him. The Philistines had amassed a massive army since their last encounter with Israel. The two armies had converged in a few battles, but it had become clear that neither were going to gain the advantage over the other. They were in a stalemate. However, there was something brewing in the Philistine camp. Something different. They had received some sort of second wind and were now posturing on the other side of the field. Abner, Saul's general... stood beside him with reports. 00:03:11 Speaker 2: I don't like the looks of this, my king. 00:03:13 Speaker 4: The Philistines are posturing in an unusual way. 00:03:17 Speaker 2: What do your scouts say? They've brought some disturbing reports back. They're whispers that a new commander from Gath has taken over. The people of Gath have more reason to hate us than most, especially after what happened with the Ark of the Covenant. What is so unusual about our scouts' reports? 00:03:36 Speaker 1: They say that this man isn't human. 00:03:39 Speaker 2: He's a descendant from the warriors of old. 00:03:42 Speaker 5: What's his name? 00:03:44 Speaker 1: He doesn't have a name. 00:03:46 Speaker 2: Only a title. 00:03:47 Speaker 1: Before Abner could finish his sentence, a low, guttural chant echoed across the canyon from the Philistine camp. The enemy swayed as one, an undulating mass of shields and spears, their voices rising with the beat of the drums. 00:04:05 Speaker 2: What do these dogs bark? 00:04:07 Speaker 1: The Philistine chant became louder. Saul could hear them in their native tongue. Ha-ta-she-gath! 00:04:16 Speaker 5: Ha-ta-she-gath! 00:04:18 Speaker 2: Ha-ta-she-gath! Tabby, you know the Philistine language better than I do. What are they saying? 00:04:26 Speaker 6: I believe they're chanting the Titan of Gath. 00:04:29 Speaker 1: Ha-ta-she-gath! The swaying and chants quickened with the beats. They hissed and sneered at the Israelites. Their sways became frantic and animalistic. Then the Philistine horde parted. They crouched and bowed to their knees, cackling like hyenas. The drums ceased, but the ground was still shaking. Saul could feel the quaking of the earth on his chest. 00:05:00 Speaker 5: Goliath! Goliath! Goliath! Goliath! 00:05:08 Speaker 1: Something's wrong. The ground trembled beneath Saw's feet as he watched the horde part in two. A shadow loomed over them, walking through the center. The creature had the shape of a man, but his size that of legend. He seemed to be a relic of a darker age. His legs were thick as tree trunks, his chest clad in a coat of iron scales. Muscles coiled beneath his skin like cables of rope. A spear of solid iron rested in one hand, thick as a weaver's beam, its tip gleaming like a fang in the sun. The other hand gripped a massive sword that lesser men would struggle to lift. Goliath, the Titan of Gath. The Philistines roared his name, a chant rolling like a storm across the valley. Goliath grinned, drinking in the sound like a strong wine. He marched to the edge of the valley, swinging his sword lazily, then turned his gaze upon the Israelite army. Even from this distance, Saul swore the brute could see the fear in his eyes. The giant lifted his sword and swung it at a nearby tree. The thick trunk shattered, splintering into a thousand pieces before tumbling down the rocky slope. The Philistines banged their weapons against their shields, howling in delight. Goliath stretched out his arms. 00:07:00 Speaker 4: Saul! 00:07:01 Speaker 5: Where is Saul? 00:07:05 Speaker 1: Saul's entire body clenched as the beast said his name. He rolled his shoulders back and replied. 00:07:15 Speaker 5: Saul, king of Israel, I am Goliath, the titan of Gath, son of the wolf and commander of the united Philistine army. I have come to challenge you to Zok-Tarak. 00:07:34 Speaker 1: The Philistine army erupted in shouts and chants. Saul leaned to Tavi. 00:07:40 Speaker 2: What is that word, Tevi? 00:07:42 Speaker 1: Zok-Tarak is. 00:07:44 Speaker 6: philistine ritual of combat it means duel. 00:07:49 Speaker 1: Of blood Saul gulped then looked out at Goliath he could see a wide smile curl over the beast's mouth. 00:07:58 Speaker 5: Come now why waste any more good men in battle am I not a philistine are you not the. 00:08:09 Speaker 7: King of Israel come now Choose. 00:08:16 Speaker 5: A Xanathor, a champion. Let him face me. 00:08:24 Speaker 2: If he slays. 00:08:26 Speaker 4: Me, the Philistines. 00:08:28 Speaker 7: Will be your growth arms. 00:08:31 Speaker 8: But if I strike him down, and you will bow before us as. 00:08:42 Speaker 7: Our growth arms, And your people will be our slaves until the end of days. 00:08:57 Speaker 1: Tarvi was trembling, as were the rest of the men behind Saul. 00:09:03 Speaker 6: My king, Gruthans are the Philistine blood slaves. Men taken by bloodshed for bloodshed. He's talking about war slaves, my lord. In this challenge, those who lose become no more than spearheads and arrows for others to use. 00:09:22 Speaker 1: Silence fell over the Israelite ranks. Saul's throat tightened. His heart pounded against his ribs. He had always stood ahead above other men, the tallest in Israel. He had fought battles and cut down warriors, but this, this was no man. This monster was something out of legend, a specter of death given flesh and steel. Goliath's voice rumbled again. 00:09:52 Speaker 4: What's the matter, Saul? 00:09:55 Speaker 5: No man among your ranks willing to fight? Then come yourself. Show your people you're not a coward. 00:10:15 Speaker 1: Saul clenched his jaw. Abner turned to his king, sensing the terror dripping from his paws. 00:10:23 Speaker 2: There isn't a man in Israel who could even lift that beast's shield, let alone face him in single combat. What do we do? 00:10:32 Speaker 1: Saul was silent. He rolled his neck back and retreated to his tent. The Philistines laughed. 00:10:40 Speaker 5: I'll be here tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. Choose a Xanathor to fight me. But be warned, Saul, my offer won't last forever. 00:10:59 Speaker 1: For forty days, the Philistine giant descended into the valley. For forty days, he issued his challenge. And for forty days, Saul remained silent. Israel was paralyzed. They had no champion. David fastened the last of the supplies to his donkey, his fingers moving swiftly, his mind elsewhere. 00:11:27 Speaker 2: Did you pack the bread? Yes, father. And the extra wineskins? The bandages? I've packed both. 00:11:34 Speaker 9: Eliab, Abididab, and Shammah will have everything they need. Don't dawdle when you get to the encampment. The warriors of Israel have enough on their hands. The last thing they need is to protect a curious child who falls into a ravine. 00:11:48 Speaker 4: Fall into a ravine. Father, how old do you think I am? I'm not a toddler. I'm a capable. 00:11:54 Speaker 1: Jesse grunted and turned away, not allowing his son to finish. David exhaled through his nose, glancing after him. His father's pride was reserved for his older brothers, the ones who wore armor, who stood in the king's ranks. David was no soldier. He was a courier, a musician, a shepherd. He knew his father would never beam at him the way he did when he spoke of Eliab. But Saul did. Saul had looked on David with favor, even kept him close as his armor-bearer. And Jonathan had taken him in as a brother. In the king's court, David had found what his home never gave him, a sense of belonging. He was eager to see Saul and help in any way he could. He took the donkey's reins and set out for Socor, eager to see how the battle fared. As he approached the Israelite camp, David's heart pounded. But when he reached the crest of the hill, what he saw made him stop in confusion. No battle, just posturing. The armies of Israel and Philistia stood on opposite sides of the valley, hurling insults, banging swords against shields. David frowned. Was this war? His fingers tightened around the donkey's reins. He slipped through the crowd of soldiers, searching for his brothers. His brother approached, his armor loose, his spear dull. Abinadab was next to him. Clearly neither of them had any intention of fighting that day. Shama grinned, wrapping an arm around David's neck, ruffling his hair. 00:13:47 Speaker 10: Come to watch, runt? 00:13:48 Speaker 1: David wriggled free, brushing dirt from his tunic. 00:13:52 Speaker 4: Shouldn't you be sharpening your spears instead of taunting me? 00:13:55 Speaker 2: Why? There's no battle. 00:13:56 Speaker 1: David's brows furrowed. He turned from them and pushed through the soldiers, ignoring their jeers. He reached the front line and climbed onto a large stone for a better view. The Philistines moved like a living beast, swaying in unison, their chants deep and guttural. They howled and hissed, laughing like hyenas. Then the crowd split down the middle. The ground trembled. Then the titan emerged. David's breath caught in his throat at the sight of him. Goliath. He strode to the canyon's edge, his spear in hand, and slammed its butt into the earth. The crack of rock echoed across the valley. Then came the roar. David felt it in his chest, in his bones. The Philistines cheered. 00:14:54 Speaker 5: Who among you dogs will fight me? I have waited long. And still you cowards refuse to send me a Xanathor. 00:15:13 Speaker 1: He turned his spear towards Saul as he had for the past forty days. 00:15:19 Speaker 5: Where is your god, King Saul? Is he as weak of a god as you are of a king? Is his voice as silent as yours? I spit on your ancestors and your god. Your people are worthless cowards. Perhaps you need to be conquered. After all, it's in your nature to be slaves. 00:15:58 Speaker 1: David's fists clenched. He turned to his left. There stood Saul, radiant in gold-plated armor, his sword's hilt engraved with the words of Hebrew warriors long dead. His chest was broad, his posture unyielding. He looked like a king, but he did nothing. Not a word, not a step forward. David's lips parted in disbelief. The great King Saul, the chosen of Israel, the warrior king, silent. The Israelite soldiers shifted in place, muttering. No one moved, no one spoke. Then, one by one, they turned back to their tents. David slid down the rock, catching Shammah. 00:16:50 Speaker 4: What's going on here? 00:16:52 Speaker 10: That giant has mocked us for over a month. He's challenged us to single combat. The king has promised wealth, his daughter's hand, and a tax exemption to any man who kills him. 00:17:02 Speaker 4: And no one has stepped forward? I mean, come on, look at him. 00:17:07 Speaker 10: You've seen his hands. He could crush a man's skull like a pomegranate. Besides, nobody wants to be the man responsible for losing, causing the entire nation to become enslaved. 00:17:18 Speaker 5: But. 00:17:19 Speaker 4: He's mocked our God. How could any of you just stand there and let that happen? 00:17:24 Speaker 1: Shammah was right. Bravery was not enough. Whoever faced Goliath couldn't try to win. He had to know he would win. He scanned the soldiers' faces. Their eyes were all hollow. Their shoulders slumped. 00:17:42 Speaker 5: Fear. 00:17:43 Speaker 1: David's fingers twitched and his knees began to shift. Just then, A rough hand clamped onto David's shoulder, yanking him backward. It was Eliab, clad in polished armor, but no signs of any actual battle. 00:18:01 Speaker 2: What are you doing here, David? 00:18:03 Speaker 4: I should be asking you the same question. 00:18:05 Speaker 2: Don't act all tough. Where are the sheep if you're here? Did you lead them to die in the wilderness just so you could watch a battle? 00:18:13 Speaker 1: David's jaw clenched. Eliab shoved him. 00:18:17 Speaker 2: Go home! 00:18:18 Speaker 1: David stumbled but caught himself. 00:18:21 Speaker 2: I know why you're here, little brother. You just had to see the war, didn't you? You want to watch men die while you sit safely on the hill. 00:18:31 Speaker 1: David's blood boiled. The insults, the belittling, it had been this way all his life. But today he wasn't in the pasture. Today he wasn't going to take it. David lunged, shoving Eliab back. His older brother caught him by the arm and threw him to the ground. 00:18:53 Speaker 2: Stay down, runt. 00:18:55 Speaker 1: David spat dirt from his mouth and stood again. Eliab raised a finger. 00:19:01 Speaker 2: You don't belong here. 00:19:03 Speaker 4: And you do? What have you done? That uncircumcised Philistine mocks our God, and you've done nothing. 00:19:10 Speaker 2: Shut up, like you'd face him. You're all talk, David. 00:19:15 Speaker 1: All those stories. 00:19:16 Speaker 2: About slaying lions is all for show to impress father. But I have news for you. Nobody is impressed. You were born in iniquity and you'll always be the runt of the litter. 00:19:29 Speaker 1: David said nothing, but he didn't have to. There was a fire in his eyes that caused Eliab to step back. David nodded to himself as if he had resolved something in his mind. David turned his back on him. Without another word, he marched toward. saul's tent saul paced like a caged animal inside his tent his fingers twitching his mind circling the same problem over and over again goliath had made fools of. 00:20:06 Speaker 2: Them 40 days Forty damn days! Forty days of mockery, of fear, of waking to the taunts of a beast! 00:20:17 Speaker 1: Saul was angry that no one, not even himself, would step forward. He had promised riches, his daughter's hand in marriage, a life free from taxes, and still, not a single warrior dared answer the challenge. Abner stood beside him, arms folded, silent. Saul sank onto his throne, rubbing his temples. 00:20:42 Speaker 2: The giant has made a mockery of us, and yet there is nothing we can do about it. We have run out of time, my king. If we wait any longer, they will march against us in the night. 00:20:58 Speaker 5: We cannot. 00:20:59 Speaker 4: I know what they're capable of! 00:21:03 Speaker 1: Saul snapped, hurling his cup against the wooden beams of the tent. The room fell silent. Saul exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his beard. He lifted a hand apologetically, shaking his head. 00:21:18 Speaker 2: We are at an impasse. Our men are without hope. They are without something to inspire them to battle. 00:21:29 Speaker 1: He stared at the fire burning in the center of the tent. He remembered another fire, long ago. When he had sat beside Samuel, his kingdom knew his anointing fresh. 00:21:42 Speaker 2: We need some sort of spark. 00:21:46 Speaker 1: Just then, the tent flaps burst open. David strode in. Saul blinked in surprise. Then, relieved, he forced a smile. 00:21:57 Speaker 2: Ah, young David. You've come at the perfect time. We could all use some music to calm our nerves. 00:22:07 Speaker 1: David did not touch his lyre. Instead, he bowed to the floor, beating his fist against his chest. 00:22:14 Speaker 4: My king, let no man's heart lose hope because of this giant. I will go and fight the Philistine. 00:22:21 Speaker 1: For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the men around Saul chuckled, shaking their heads. Saul stood and took David by the arm, lifting him from the ground. He dusted off the boy's tunic with a wry smile. 00:22:37 Speaker 2: Sure that you are. You're filled with fire, young David. But what sort of king would I be to send a boy against a giant? 00:22:44 Speaker 5: You? You are young. 00:22:46 Speaker 2: And that monster has been killing entire clans since he was your age. No doubt feasting on their flesh. 00:22:54 Speaker 1: David stepped back and bowed his head. 00:22:56 Speaker 4: My king, are you familiar with the role of a shepherd? 00:23:00 Speaker 2: Of course. My father had flocks of his own. A shepherd leads his sheep, takes them to green pastures and water. 00:23:07 Speaker 4: That is part of it, but a shepherd's first duty is to protect his flock at all costs. 00:23:13 Speaker 1: Saul crossed his arms. The room stirred uncomfortably. David's voice did not waver. 00:23:20 Speaker 4: When a lion came from my land, I ran after it. I did not hesitate. When it tried to escape, I climbed the cliffs to retrieve my sheep from its jaws. And when it turned on me, I struck it down with my bare hands. A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. 00:23:37 Speaker 1: The men shifted again. David pointed toward the valley, toward the Philistine horde. His mouth curled into a slight grin, his eyes gleaming. 00:23:49 Speaker 4: This Philistine is no greater than that lion. He comes into our land, threatens God's flock, bares his teeth and roars. He's defiled the armies of the living God and made a mockery of him. I will strike him down, just as I struck down the lion. Not by my own strength, but by the might. 00:24:11 Speaker 2: Of the Lord. 00:24:12 Speaker 1: Saul's breath quickened. It had been a long time since he had felt the fire of the Spirit. A long time since he had heard that passion, that unwavering certainty. And now, coming from a boy of all people, it was bursting forth like a mighty tempest. The king stared at David for a long moment. Then, Saul smiled. 00:24:38 Speaker 5: Very well. 00:24:39 Speaker 2: Go, and the Lord be with you. 00:24:42 Speaker 1: Gasps echoed through the tent. 00:24:44 Speaker 2: My king, you can't be serious. You've just commissioned a boy, no older than sixteen, to fight the greatest warrior the world had ever seen. I don't see you rising up to fight, Abner. And if the Phimistines are going to attack us anyways... Why not give ourselves a chance with this boy? Who knows what the Lord may do? 00:25:10 Speaker 1: Saul's blood was alight with something he had not felt in years. 00:25:14 Speaker 2: You will need help, of course. The finest armor Israel has to offer. A true warrior's weapon. 00:25:21 Speaker 1: He turned and took his own armor from its stand. The golden plates, the heavy coat of mail, the helmet of bronze. Carefully, He placed them over David's shoulders. The boy's knees nearly buckled under the weight. Saul smiled at him, fastening the clasps. There. 00:25:44 Speaker 2: That should do it. 00:25:46 Speaker 1: David took a step forward. 00:25:48 Speaker 2: Then another. 00:25:49 Speaker 1: Then he stopped. David was nearly swimming in Saul's armor. It didn't fit. And even if it did fit, it didn't feel right. David was not Saul. The shepherd boy took a few more steps, slow and stiff. Then, without a word, he unbuckled the straps. The armor clattered to the floor. David removed the helmet and placed the sword back in Saul's hands. He bowed his head. 00:26:19 Speaker 4: My king, your armor is splendid, but I've not tested it. And for all its beauty, I fear it's more of a hindrance than a defense. 00:26:31 Speaker 2: Don't be foolish, boy. 00:26:33 Speaker 5: You need a real weapon. 00:26:35 Speaker 2: You need real armor. 00:26:37 Speaker 4: No, I don't. 00:26:40 Speaker 1: David gripped his staff. His sling rested at his belt. 00:26:44 Speaker 4: These will be my weapons. The Lord has done far more with far less. 00:26:50 Speaker 1: And with that, the shepherd turned and left the tent. Saul stood frozen, fingers trailing over the golden plates of his armor. For all the wealth, the splendor, the appearance of power, what good had it done? David departed for the banks of the river, eyes ignited with righteous fury. Israel had its champion. Steve Gatina, Max Bard, Zach Schelleberger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr., Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Lashinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan-Smith. written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely, and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey.com productions on the Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.