summit level of the hill country of Judah, with deep
gorges descending east to the Dead Sea, and west to the plains of
Philistia, the shepherds of Bethlehem had to contend not only with
bears and lions, but also with human enemies, the Philistines on the
west, and Arab robbers on the east. They would therefore from
childhood be accustomed to bear fatigue, hunger, heat and cold,
both by night and by day, and also to brave every kind of danger
and fight with every kind of antagonist. Thus the youthful David
learned to sling stones when he led his father's flocks over the
hills, and thus was he prepared to conquer Goliath; and so, too, by
defending his charge against lions and bears, he learned to face
lion-like men in war and conquer them."--"_The Land and the Book_"
[End illustration]

{139}

STORIES OF DAVID

THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO KILLED A GIANT

Cubit.
A measure used in Bible lands, thought to be about nineteen
inches. The span was another measure, about half a cubit.
According to this, the height of Goliath was about ten feet. A
very tall giant indeed!

Greaves
Armor for the legs.

Target
A round shield.

Weaver's Beam
The heavy round piece of wood used in old looms.

Once upon a time there lived in the little village of Bethlehem among
the hills of Judea, a shepherd lad whose name was David. Every day he
led his flock of sheep to the greenest pasture and then watered them
at the still pools of water.

This work was very pleasant when the weather was fair and warm, but
sometimes it grows very cold in the hill country of Judea. The wind
blows and the ground is covered with snow. Sometimes the shepherd is
forced to stay out all night with his flock. Sometimes a lamb {140}
is lost, and the shepherd has to search all night in the darkness,
along dangerous paths in the hills. Sometimes wild beasts attack the
flock and the shepherd must beat them off. Sometimes the wild people
of the East try to carry off the sheep, and the shepherd is in danger
of his life.

But this hard work and constant danger made David a strong, brave boy.
He grew very skillful with the sling, which was a weapon much used
in those days. With it even a boy could throw a stone very hard and
far. Once when he was keeping the flock, a bear came to steal a lamb,
and, at another time, a mountain lion, and David killed them both.

While David was still no more than a big boy, war