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bearer to the point where he usually barked his challenge. David began his descent to the valley floor before Goliath’s mouth opened. No sense giving the man what he expected. When the giant saw that someone had come forward to accept his challenge, he lumbered down the hill, each footfall shaking the ground. David’s heart beat double time with every approaching step.
    With his left hand, David slipped one of his five smooth stones into the pocket of his sling, eyes scanning the armorplated giant for some kind of chink, a space unprotected. He squinted against the rays of morning sun bouncing off the giant’s bronze helmet and coat of brass-scaled armor. Even his legs were cloaked in shining brass greaves. The man looked impenetrable—until a shaft of sunlight moved like an arrow to the center of Goliath’s forehead, as though God’s finger had pointed to the exact spot David needed to aim his weapon.
    David’s feet touched the valley floor and began the trek up the other side of the hill. The giant stopped, took two steps forward, and lifted one hand to shade his eyes. David drew closer, but not near enough for the man’s javelin to reach him. He stopped within aiming distance.
    Sneering laughter bellowed from Goliath’s throat. “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” A string of curses spilled like vomit from his mouth. “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”
    David extended his arm and began to twirl the sling. “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know there is a God in Israel.”
    “May Dagon grant me victory. I’ll have your head first, boy!” The giant lifted his heavily plated leg. Thud. Clop. Dust rose from the earth with every step. The Philistine armor bearer ran closer to David.
    The black hawk screeched, then a collective hush blanketed the valley. The giant’s huge hand straightened the plated coat of mail, then moved to the shaft of his spear. David whirled the sling in one fluid motion at his side. Goliath raised his spear to shoulder height as David flung the stone. He reached for a second stone, his gaze never leaving the path of the first. Time stretched into eternity.
    The stone jolted the giant’s head back, hitting its mark. Goliath tilted, his expression clouding. His arm pulled back the spear. A dazed look crossed his huge face. David held his breath, clutching the sling.
    Out of the corner of his eye, David saw a flock of black hawks join the lone sentinel and fly in circles above the heads of the Philistine army, as though waiting to feast on their flesh. The giant’s armor bearer glanced up, his face riddled with terror. He dropped the heavy shield meant to protect Goliath and ran for the top of the hill. David heard the birds’ incessant screeching, but his gaze was focused on Goliath.
    A moment passed. The giant teetered, both hands pressed to his feathered helmet. Like a tree falling in a forest, Goliath toppled face forward into the dust.
    David ran toward him with cautious strides. The spear clattered to the dirt behind the giant, but when David reached it, he knew he’d never be able to lift the thing. He stepped closer and found Goliath’s sword still in its scabbard. He tugged it loose and squinted as the sun glinted off the shiny metal. The giant didn’t move, but there was no sense taking any chances. He swung the blade high over his head and brought it down on the Philistine’s thick neck. Blood spurted over his sandals and onto his tunic.
    David tugged the feathered helmet from the severed head, wrapped his fingers around the locks of