Day 64: Goliath

Tonight's will be short.

The Prompt: Write a short story from Goliath’s pov.

Goliath laughed as he jogged along with his brothers alongside the Philistine.  He was too large to ride on any of the horses.

"You're right.  Those Israelite dogs will not know what is coming.  I can just see their puny faces once they see us.  I bet I can kill a dozen with one swipe of my sword!"

"Goliath," the oldest of the giant brothers asked, "did you hear what the captain is planning for us to do once we get there?  He's going to send one of us to the front of the camp and challenge the strongest Israelite to fight.  Whoever wins will be the victor of the whole battle."

"Doesn't sound like much of a challenge," the third brother commented.

"We all know they'll choose you, Goliath," the youngest remarked.  "You're the strongest of them all."

Goliath's pride was high and his heart full of hatred for the Israelites.  "It will be all too easy to fight.  I challenge anyone and anything who thinks he can dare defeat me.  Why, nothing can stop me at this point!"

Goliath's laughter bellowed through the mountains and echoed out into the valley below.  By a grassy patch near a crystal stream, a young shepherd lifted up his head alertly.  The loud noise had interrupted his reverie.  "I wonder what terrible creature made that noise.  I wouldn't want to meet him."   

Day 14: An Unlikely Meeting

The Prompt: Kind David meets Daniel.  What happens?

King David was sitting in his throne room.  It was another typical day for him.  At the moment, it was his time to go through the letters of requests to see if he could meet the needs of his kingdom before his young sons would come in for their regular visits.  David looked forward to that time.  As much as he loved being king, those visits reminded him of normal life again.

Just then one of King David's servants appeared at the room's entrance, interrupting the king's thoughts.  "Your majesty, there is a foreigner here who insists upon seeing you.  He claims he is a Jew, but he looks like he has come from Babylon."

King David was intrigued by this man.  "Show him in."

 "As you wish."  With a bow the servant left and moments later returned with a tall young man dressed in Babylonian attire.  He looked confused and excited.  "May I introduce His Royal Majesty King David of Bethlehem.  Majesty, this is Daniel."  The servant took another bow and left.

King David and Daniel stood fixed where they were, staring into each other's eyes.  Each one saw something familiar in the other that made them motionless, perhaps it was the light of God.  Daniel was the first one who broke the gaze.  "It is an honor to be here, your Majesty," he stated in a strong, humble voice and finished with a gracious bow.

King David smiled.  "To what do I owe the pleasure of you visiting our fine country and wishing to see me?"

 Daniel explained that he was a Jew but had been taken captive by the Babylonians some years ago.  That morning he had woken up and found himself back in his homeland.  "I know it sounds far-fetched.  I wouldn't even believe the story myself, but that is what happened.  When I saw I was back, I explored the city and then wished I could see my king and tell him in person how impressed I am with all he has done."

"I am happy that you feel that way.  Tell me, Daniel, what did you do in Babylon?"

Daniel then told King David how he and his three friends had stayed true to God's commands and refused to eat the rich food of Babylonians.  He shared how God had been faithful to them and blessed them with good jobs in the king's court.  King David was excited to hear that this guest was a man after his own heart- no, God's own heart, and he was amazed to hear how Daniel had been able to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams.  He, in turn, shared with Daniel how had God helped him in his life.  The two men talked for hours, learning a great deal from each other and praising God for the miracles He had worked in their lives.

I was out of ideas for this one...  Thank you for sticking with me and taking the time to read these posts! 

Day 12: Sheep

The Prompt: Write from one of David's sheep's POV.

I didn't have much time on the computer today, so this is rather short.  This is probably the worst one I've posted so far.

It's kind of cold out today.  I'm glad I have my wool coat.  Ooo, that tuft of grass looks tasty.  *Munch munch.  Who's that coming over here?  Oh it's David.  He's such a kind master.  I remember when he saved me from a hole in the ground.  I didn't know it was there.  It was hidden in the underbrush.  But David knew where it was.  He goaded me away from it.  I could have broken a leg.  Even his hand feels kind on my back.  It feels strong, yet warm.  He's knows just where to itch me.

Now he's going over to his favorite tree to sit and watch us.  Master normally talks to God or writes down something on his scroll.  See?  I hear him talking to his God now.  He sounds troubled.  He's pacing around too.  I wonder what is bothering him.  Who is Goliath?  I've never heard Master mention that name before.  Now he's walking over to the river.  Getting a drink perhaps?  What's in the water that has caught his attention.  It's...small...stones.  He's pulling them out.  One, two, three, four, five stones.  What could Master want to do with those? 

Day 6: My Biblical Hero

The Prompt: You get to meet your hero from the Bible.  What happens?

     As I mentioned in the past, David is one of my favorite Bible characters.  He was one of the few men the Bible refers to as having the heart of God.  Plus he wrote the Psalms, one of my favorite books from the Bible.  It would be amazing if I could even see what he looked like.  Since he is likened to Jesus, I wonder if they shared some physical similarities.  I suppose one of the first things I'd want to do is listen to him play one of his psalms or asked what inspired him to write a few of my favorites.  Maybe I could even watch him compose one.  Once you think about it, it's like meeting a modern Christian music singer.

     David was not just a singer; he was a beloved king.  Who doesn't want to meet a king?  :)  I'd want him to give me a tour around his palace, meet some of his advisers and family, and get a chance to see him working at some of his responsibilities as king.  Getting a tour of the city would be fun too, especially if it was in a royal procession.

     I'd also enjoy the opportunity to interview David.  I'd like to hear some of the Biblical accounts from his point of view.  How did he feel when Samuel anointed him as king while Saul still ruled?  What was going through his head when he summed up the courage to defeat Goliath?  I'd probably ask some other questions about when he was running from Saul, about his reign as king, and about his relationships with sons.

     I'd certainly have an eventful day with David!

Day 1: Describe a Bible Character

Hello!  I hope you are having a great first day of the year.

Day 1: Pick a character in the Bible and describe his/her day.  What are his/her struggles, joys, frustrations, etc.  Write at least 500 words.  Can you make a story out of this?  

King David is one of my favorite male characters from the Bible.  This story takes place before David became king.  It is inspired from 1 Samuel 27:1 and attempts to explain how David, a man who possessed some of the greatest faith in God, could have decided to give up on God saving him go live with His enemies.  Prior to this, David had been running for his life from the current king, Saul, for many months (maybe even years).  David has just had a second encounter with Saul and let his enemy go unharmed.

     David tossed and turned in his tent.  His encounter with Saul was still fresh in his mind.  Saul had looked so scared when he saw David because he was sure David would kill him.  David felt Saul had no right to be scared.  He was the one who had been running for his life.  He was the one who had to always keep all his senses alert in case Saul was nearby.  He was the one who couldn't be alone for one minute for fear that Saul would use that moment to kill him with one swift stroke.  Saul was taller than him, more muscular, more physically fit.  Saul would not have any difficulty murdering him.
     David groaned as he turned to his other side.  His pillow, a rolled up cloak, was hardly doing its duty for his head.  David's thoughts drifted back to Saul.  This had not been the first time that David had spared Saul.  The first time, they had been in a cave together.  David had seen Saul standing a few feet ahead of him.  It would have been so easy to murder Saul and end all that running and fear, but David remembered what God said about love and forgiveness and had shown mercy on Saul in the same way God had shown mercy on him.  David grimaced as he turned again.
     "Is this the reward I get for obeying you, Lord?" David thought.  His thoughts often had a habit now of turning into conversations with God.  "I did what You told me to.  I forgave Saul and trusted You to save me, and what happens?  Saul went back on his word to leave me in peace and sought to kill me again."
     David opened his eyes.  Sleep was pointless now.  David rose from his mat, careful not to wake his wife Abigail, and slipped quietly out of his tent.  Spending time with his wife did not comfort him, neither did the celebration feast he had shared with his family and friends the night before.  The only thing left was to spend some time with God.  No matter what he tried, communion with God always brought him peace.
     The sky was still quite dark with just a hint of reddish pink on the horizon, giving David just enough light to see.  He maneuvered around the other tents and equipment outside until he walked to the edge of the hill where they were camped.  David stood and admired God's handiwork, although at the moment the beauty had no impact on him.
     "God," he softly spoke aloud, "I know I should be happy right now.  Saul has gone back to Israel.  The time for fleeing from him is over.  Yet I am still afraid.  What is to stop him from going back on his word again?  How do I know that he isn't going to try to kill me again?"  David's voice rose as the passion built.  "I am tired of running.  I am tired of living in fear!  Is there some way You can assure me?  Some way that I know that You will keep me safe?"
     David waited.  Silence.  The sky had grown a little lighter now.  Usually a still, small voice inside him would remind him of a promise of God or give him a word of encouragement.  This time, his mind and heart was empty.  He continued staring at the valley in front of him when he noticed something moving down there.  As he strained his eyes to see what it was, he was able to discern that he was watching an army move.  His heart jumped, thinking it was saul again, and he anxiously scanned the group to see if he could recognize the Israelite armor.  Instead, he realized that this was not the Israelites but a Philistine army, an enemy to all men of Israel.
     David's eyes followed the army's journey.  He noticed the band of men showed the might and intimidation that was typical of the Philistines.  If David had been in the right frame of mind, he would have readied himself for an attack and asked God if He should destroy the idolaters or leave them alone.  Instead, David made a rash decision, something someone should never make, especially if he is as mentally and physically exhausted and fearful as David was.
     "This must be a sign from the Lord.  I am to live with the Philistines!  They can protect me from Saul!"

What do you?  Why could David had abandoned God like he did?