This window is centered on the image that
portrays the slaying of the giant Philistine Goliath by the young shepherd
David, as told on the first book of Samuel chapter seventeen. What are
important to note in this event are David's words concerning the outcome of
this confrontation. He says to Goliath and all the Philistines " You cone
against me with sword, spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name
of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted.
This very day I will leave your corpse and the corpses of the Philistines army
for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall
learn that Israel has a God. This entire multitude, too, shall learn that it is
not by the sword or spear that the Lord saves. For the battle is the Lord's,
and he shall deliver you into my hands. David had earlier had been given heavy
armor by the king Saul to fight Goliath, but after trying it on he knew that
the armor would not help him, but only way him down. Being proficient with
sling and stones he chose these to go against Goliath. He knew, however, that
it was not by his skill or strength that he would defeat Goliath, but by the
will of God. We must use our God
given talents to the best of our ability, but in the final analysis it is God
himself who enables us to overcome any evil or difficulty we face.
Below the central image is an image of a
scroll, which represents the Torah wherein this event is recorded. Two lit oil
lamps that give light for reading the word of God flank the Torah. The light of
these lamps represent the grace of understanding from God, which enables us to
receive the word of God, ponder it, and apply it to our lives