Little David, Shepherd Boy

“Little David, shepherd boy” is a term we often hear,
But that Little David, shepherd boy, killed a lion and a bear.
Little David, shepherd boy, kept his father Jesse’s sheep,
Trusted to well look after them and a careful watch to keep.
Little David, shepherd boy, sang and played the harp,
Sang praise to God and became known as “a man after God’s own heart.”
Little David, shepherd boy, could wear the armour of the king,
So let’s not think that, in his youth, he was some puny little thing,
But because he had not tried it, as a seasoned soldier should,
He wore it not to battle, but in shepherd’s clothes he stood
To face Goliath’s challenge, who viewed him with disdain
And boasted loud, for all to hear, that David would be slain.
Little David, shepherd boy, met Goliath in the plain.
With one smooth stone in his trusty sling, he took sure and careful aim,
Sent the stone whistling on its way, struck Goliath in the head,
And before he could draw another breath, the giant Goliath was dead.
Yes, Goliath fell dead upon the ground and mighty was his fall
Because Little David, shepherd boy, was not little after all.

a. franklin staples
Completed March 26, 1999

©1999 by A. Franklin Staples