Goliath disdained David, for his appearance was that of a mere youth untaught in the tactics of warfare. Goliath railed upon David and cursed him by his gods. He felt that it was an insult upon his dignity to have a mere stripling, without so much as an armor, come to meet him. He made his boast of what he would do to him. David did not become irritated because he was looked upon as so inferior, neither did he tremble at his terrible threats, but replied: “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” David tells Goliath that in the name of the Lord he will do to him the very things that Goliath had threatened to do to David. “And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” {3T 219.1}

Goliat ringeagtede David, for han så mere ud som en ung der ikke havde lært krigstjenestens taktik. Goliat skældte ud på David og bandede over ham ved sine guder. Han følte at det var en hån over hans værdighed at blot en grønskolling, uden så meget som en rustning, komme ham i møde. Han pralede over hvad han kunne gøre imod ham. David blev ikke irriteret fordi der blev set på ham som ringere, han skælvede heller ikke over hans frygtelige trusler, men svarede: »David svarede Filisteren: "Du kommer imod mig med sværd og spyd og kastevåben, men jeg kommer imod dig i Hærskarers Herres, Israels slagrækkers Guds, navn, ham, du har hånet.« David fortæller Goliat at i Herrens navn vil han gøre de ting mod ham som Goliat har truet David med. »Og for at hele denne forsamling kan kende, at Herren ikke giver sejr ved sværd eller spyd; thi Herren råder for kampen og han vil give eder i vor hånd!"