John is a poet, short fiction, and freelance writer who also trained in home ministry and Bible study.

David and Goliath (the Poem)

David was a shepherd boy

Good and kind of heart.

He sang and praised the Lord his God,

But that was just the start.

The Lord loved young David

And watched him as he grew.

That he’d become Israel’s great King,

No one except God knew.

The current King of Israel

Was strong, handsome, charming Saul,

But he had disobeyed his God,

So eventually he would fall.

God sent the Prophet Samuel

To look for Jesse’s son,

To be the next great King of Israel,

But he chose the handsome, eldest one.

“No!” the Lord said, “You are wrong!

I don’t choose by looks alone.

The youngest one is pure of heart,

He is My chosen one!”

So Samuel blessed David’s head with oil,

And God gave him great power.

But soon he’d have to prove himself,

So that as a king he’d tower.

Israel and the Philistines were at war,

They couldn’t live in peace.

But the Philistine army had a giant

As strong and tall as the trees.

This giant was named Goliath,

And he challenged the Israelite king

To send a man to fight him,

But defeat would slavery bring.

The Israelite army was terrified

To fight this terrible giant.

Not one brave soldier volunteered

And the war went on defiant.

Then to the battlefield wandered David,

To his brothers, he came with food.

They told him about Goliath

And the chance to stop the feud.

“I’ll fight the giant,” said David.

The Lord was on his side.

But Saul said, “You’re just a shepherd boy.

You better go and hide.”

Young David, though, he stood his ground,

Said, “I’ve killed a lion and bear.

I’ll kill Goliath just like them,

I really have no fear.”

King Saul could not deter him

So he reluctantly agreed.

He gave him armour and a shield,

That David said he didn’t need.

Crowds came far to watch the fight,

And to see Goliath win.

They gave the shepherd boy no chance,

He was too small and thin.

Goliath laughed at his small foe,

“Is this the one you chose

To fight a warrior like me,

With just a sling and stone?”

But, young David was unafraid

Of the bigger, stronger giant.

He had faith his God would help him

Win this important fight.

Goliath yelled a warning shout,

And was ready to attack,

But, David calmly stood his ground

And reached into his sack.

He withdrew from it a tiny stone

And placed it in his sling,

Then aimed and fired it high and fast

As befit a future king.

The stone struck Goliath’s forehead,

And people watched surprised

As the Philistine’s mighty giant

Fell dead before their eyes.

The ground shook like an earthquake,

And made the Heavens ring.

The Philistines all fled in fear

From David, the Israelites’ new king.

Questions & Answers

Question: When was the poem written?

Answer: I wrote this poem in late March 2018. It was published here on 2 April 2018.

© 2018 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on June 30, 2019:

Thank you so much Prasetio. Greatly appreciated.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on June 30, 2019:

Thank you Linda. Yes it is certainly one of the most popular Bible stories. I am glad you liked my poetic version.

prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on June 28, 2019:

Very beautiful poem. I like it. Thanks for sharing.

Linda Rogers from Minnesota on June 27, 2019:

This poem about David & Goliath was written beautifully. Great way to tell a story through poetry. I've always loved this particular bible story.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on August 28, 2018:

Thank you, Paula. I love writing story poems. t enables you to get a tale across effectively in fewer words. So glad you enjoyed my version of this timeless tale.

Suzie from Carson City on August 28, 2018:

Jodah...You tell us stories via your poetry soooo well! This one is simply great! I LOVE it when the (visibly) little guy wins. It reminds us that the little people have power, brains and really do matter! Peace, Paula

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on August 28, 2018:

Thank you for the wonderful compliment, Shauna. Whether we are religious or not some Bible stories just need to be retold.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on August 28, 2018:

John, as you, I'm a Christian, but prefer to practice in my own way. I'm not big on church and don't read religious-laden material. This, however, was a joy to read. The flow is beautiful. You're a poetic storyteller, John.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on April 17, 2018:

Thank you, Lawrence. It is one of the truly iconic Bible stories told my poetic way. Glad you enjoyed this.

Lawrence Hebb from Hamilton, New Zealand on April 17, 2018:

John

Really enjoyed this re-telling of the story.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on March 15, 2018:

Thanks, Mark. Yes, who doesn't enjoy seeing the underdog win :)

Mark Tulin from Ventura, California on March 14, 2018:

Always liked this narrative. Nice that the little guy wins this time. Excellent poem, does the story justice.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 07, 2018:

True, but sometimes it does, and gives us all hope.

Larry Rankin from Oklahoma on February 07, 2018:

Not usually how things turn out in the real world, but it's sweet when it does.

Great read.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 06, 2018:

Thank you for your kind comment as always, Devika. Much appreciated.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on February 06, 2018:

Hi Jodah as always you share your great talent and with the correct words of expression.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 05, 2018:

Hi Yves, thank you for reading and sharing that interesting information. It adds value to the hub.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on February 05, 2018:

Just two days to go. Will David and Goliath pass the test? I will ask you for some rights as it is a great teaching piece. Let us see what the teacher Ms. Nguyen thinks.

Yves on February 05, 2018:

Enjoyed your poem, Jodah. It focuses on the spiritual element of the story very nicely. Well done.

Did you know that a skilled stone/sling thrower with accurate aim, in Biblical times, actually owned a lethal weapon? Once you get the sling swinging powerfully above the head and then let aim, the stone is very fast and quite deadly.

In truth, Goliath had bad vision and because he was so large, his gait was unsteady, In close hand to hand combat, Goliath would have won the battle, but in reality he had no chance against a marksman like David. Just a little known factoid for your reading pleasure. ;)

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 05, 2018:

@ Frank Thank you for the kind comment. This one was quite a challenge.

@ Nikki Hi, I really appreciate you reading this and for that kind comment

Beautiful Garbage from Louisiana on February 05, 2018:

Well written! I like the poetic take on a classic.

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on February 05, 2018:

very good poem Jodah.. you pulled it off in poetic fashion.. bravo

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 05, 2018:

Thank you MsDora. That is the aim of most of my poetry to make lessons easier to learn or remember. Your kind remarks are much appreciated.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on February 05, 2018:

I'd love to hear my grandson or any other brave child recite this poem. The content and the style is A plus. Great poetry which can provide great teaching moments. Thank you.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 05, 2018:

I agree, Dave. Your name-sake sure overcame remarkable odds. Thanks for reading.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 05, 2018:

I can remember watching that movie many years ago, rj. Yes, Biblical movies were once the real epics. Not so long ago I wrote a poem about Sampson and enjoyed the challenge so I thought I'd try my hand at another Biblical story.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 05, 2018:

Thank you for reading this Linda. I am glad you enjoyed it.

David Edward Lynch from Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 05, 2018:

Thanks for this poem, seems amazing that such a huge man as Goliath could be slain by a small, thin David with just a sling.

rjbatty from Irvine on February 04, 2018:

Strange coincidence. I just watched the film version of David and Bathsheba, starring Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward done way back in 1951. No one could make a film like this today. There was a time when Biblical stories were ripe for Hollywood production, but today... not very likely. If I may encroach upon you a bit, what was percolating in your mind when you wrote the poem?

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on February 04, 2018:

This is an interesting story that you've told very well. I enjoyed reading your poetic version of the tale!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Thank you MizB. You confirmed why I missed writing here, and why I am back. Yes, a stone in a sling and wielded by someone with skill is an effective weapon and not to be taken lightly. Thank you for sharing that.

Doris James MizBejabbers from Beautiful South on February 04, 2018:

This really is a wonderful rendition of the story of David and Goliath, one of my favorite Bible stories. I just finished reading your troll poem and called it my favorite, but I think this one topped it on my list. BTW, recently some people were laughing because kids in the Middle East were throwing stones at people they considered enemies. They were told that these kids were not "throwing", they were using slings like the one David used to kill Goliath. That kids in the Middle East with stones were serious business. Your poem just proved that. Good work, my friend.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on February 04, 2018:

Dang John why didn't someone whip out an Iphone!!!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Thank you, Lori. Well, I always loved the story that's for sure. I have now written this and Sampson in verse. If there is another or will probably be the story of Daniel.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Thank you for your kind words and for that suggestion Mary. Yes, it would be great to see children reciting this poem to help them learn the story.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Thank you Shyron. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the whole Bible rewritten in rhyming verse? Too big a job for me though in my lifetime.Blessings.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Thank you for appreciating this poetic version of the story Harish. Glad you enjoyed it.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Bill, Thank you for the kind welcome back. It feel good to be publishing here again. I've been quiet but never left.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Hi Mike, yes it feels good to be back publishing here. I have a lot of reading to catch up on too. Yes, this was challenging and I won't be rewriting the whole Bible into verse anytime soon..lol

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Hello, Eric and Gabriel. Yes, I think it would be cool if Goliath was a cyclops as well. As far as we know he may have been lol, we don't have any pictures proving otherwise.

Lori Colbo from Pacific Northwest on February 04, 2018:

Fantastic. Who doesn't love the David and Goliath story? Well done.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on February 04, 2018:

This would be perfect for a Chorus in a performance. I could see students reciting this poem learning the story at the same time. It is much more fun.

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on February 04, 2018:

John, I love, love it, this is beautiful and if you wrote the whole Bible this way, everyone could understand it.

Blessings always

Harish Mamgain from New Delhi , India on February 04, 2018:

Great story, John. I love how beautifully you told it all through such a simple , yet very effective poem. I enjoyed the poem.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on February 04, 2018:

It's so good to have you back. Too much talent has left HP, so it at least feels good for a little while knowing one talented writer returned to the fold.

mckbirdbks from Emerald Wells, Just off the crossroads,Texas on February 04, 2018:

Hello John. Good to see you publish. (I should talk.) Setting a bible story to rhyme, that is clever and I bet proved challenging.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on February 04, 2018:

My boy Gabriel says hi and thank you. He thinks that Goliath should be a Cyclops. I asked what difference it would make and he said it would be more cool.

The cadence here is awesome.

Thank you

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2018:

Thank you, Louise, much appreciated.

Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on February 04, 2018:

That's a really good poem about David and Goliath. I love that Bible story.