previous next [184] However, Saul prayed that the end might be,
by God's assistance, not disagreeable to the alacrity and
boldness of the child; and said, "Go thy way to the fight." So
he put about him his breastplate, and girded on his sword, and
fitted the helmet to his head, and sent him away. But David was
burdened with his armor, for he had not been exercised to it,
nor had he learned to walk with it; so he said, "Let this armor
be thine, O king, who art able to bear it; but give me leave to
fight as thy servant, and as I myself desire." Accordingly he
laid by the armor, and taking his staff with him, and putting
five stones out of the brook into a shepherd's bag, and having a
sling in his right hand, he went towards Goliath. But the
adversary seeing him come in such a manner, disdained him, and
jested upon him, as if he had not such weapons with him as are
usual when one man fights against another, but such as are used
in driving away and avoiding of dogs; and said, "Dost thou take
me not for a man, but