The Morgan Crusader Bible of Louis IX
or Maciejowski Bible
or The Bible of Shah Abbas

Ms Morgan 638, folio 27r

Morgan Maciejowski Bible f.27r, Detail of upper register


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Goliath:
Saul and his army ride forth to face the Philistine army once more. The king, astride a horse adorned with orange trappings, glances uneasily over his shoulder: on the opposite side of the battlefield, he has spied Goliath, the Philistine giant. Goliath carries a gigantic shield on his back and leans on a spear nearly twice the height of a man. A huge sword is girt round his waist. As his armour-bearer and fellow soldiers confidently look on, the giant taunts the Israelite army, demanding that an opponent face him in single combat. (1 Samuel 17:3–8)

A Father's Concern:
Three of David's brothers have followed Saul into battle against the Philistines. Jesse sends David to the Israelite camp with supplies for his brothers and charges him to return with news of the war. (1 Samuel 17:14–19)

David Entrusts Jesse's Flock to Another:
David, wearing a wreath of flowers, instructs a fellow shepherd to look after his father's flocks in his absence. (1 Samuel 17:20)