Excerpt
David, the youngest son of Jesse, was only slightly winded as he reached the crest of the mountain surrounding a portion of the valley of Elah. He stood for a few minutes looking down into the same valley before he started his descent. As a shepherd, he was accustomed to walking up and down hills and mountains looking for lost sheep when one had become separated from the flock.
He filled his lungs with a deep breath, taking in all the scents God had added in His creation. There were the flowers, the trees, the dirt itself and a certain fresh smelling scent in the air that one only found at the top of a mountain. David smiled to himself as he thanked God for caring enough to include such sweet savor to his day.
When his eyes followed the terrain downwards, the young shepherd could see the army of the Lord camped on the mountain side half way down to the valley floor. The noise of an army preparing for battle reached his ears. Clanking of armor, men yelling, a tree falling were the sounds reaching out to him.
He let his eyes wander across the valley floor to the mountain on the opposite side. Half way up that mountain was the camp of the Philistines, a long time enemy of Israel. The two nations shared a border along with the hatred fueled by years of fighting.
David looked up into the sky and praised the Lord for the blessings He had bestowed on His people, the Israelites. A young man of musical talents, David started singing a song he had written himself of praise to the Lord as he made his way down to Israel's camp.