*Sacred Scripture* Triumph of David – Manfredi
The young David carries the head of Goliath, which he has severed from the giant’s body, and walks beside a girl playing on a tambourine. Artwork by B. Manfredi.
Sm 1. 17:38-51
Preparation for the Encounter.
38Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic, putting a bronze helmet on his head and arming him with a coat of mail.
39David also fastened Saul’s sword over the tunic. He walked with difficulty, however, since he had never worn armor before. He said to Saul, “I cannot go in these, because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.
40Then, staff in hand, David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag. With his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.
David’s Victory.
41* With his shield-bearer marching before him, the Philistine advanced closer and closer to David.
42When he sized David up and saw that he was youthful, ruddy, and handsome in appearance, he began to deride him.
43He said to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with a staff?” Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods
44and said to him, “Come here to me, and I will feed your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”k
45David answered him: “You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have insulted.
46Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will feed your dead body and the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God.
47All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle belongs to the LORD, who shall deliver you into our hands.”l
48The Philistine then moved to meet David at close quarters, while David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.
49David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell on his face to the ground.
50Thus David triumphed over the Philistine with sling and stone; he struck the Philistine dead, and did it without a sword in his hand.m
51Then David ran and stood over him; with the Philistine’s own sword which he drew from its sheath he killed him, and cut off his head.n
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/17
Saying the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always.
1-A prayer from Raphael the Archangel:
*While you are on this earth, you must praise the Lord God and give him thanks.
2-A prayer from Tobit and Tobias:
*They began to sing hymns of praise, giving thanks for all the mighty deeds God had done while his angel Raphael had been with them.
3-A simple Jesus prayer:
*Lord, Lord, Jesus Christ…Son of God…have mercy on me…Be kind to others…Work Hard…Be joyful.
4-Another prayer:
*When all that God asks of us is to be quiet and keep ourselves at peace-attentive to the secret work He is beginning in our souls-Be Empty and See That I Am God.
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Ps 31:1–2