Picture it: the valley of Elah and the two opposing armies, of the Israelites and of the Philistines. Between them stand the two champions, David and Goliath. There is a hush, punctuated only by the cries of the waiting vultures.
David steps forward. He throws his sling and stones to the ground and speaks.
"I had it in mind to say, 'This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that God saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is God’s, and he will give you into our hand.'"
A vulture sharpens its beak.
"Come on, I thought, this is no way to resolve a clash between two cultures. I have an idea that each of us, Philistine and Israelite, has spiritual riches to share with the other.
"Let's talk about this. I can see that you are hurting. Your body-language tells me that. I propose that we sit down together, share a flask of wine, speak openly of our perceived differences, and resolve them.
"Then, if you wish, I can personally arrange for your circumcision. We will set up a commission for inter-faith dialogue, make a covenant of brotherhood, and our two peace-loving peoples will live peaceably together as the multicultural Nation of Phisrael."
The waiting jackals look bored and begin to fight amongst themselves.
And Goliath spake.
"%$#$%&&*#@!" he roared, and he smote David and laid him low. And the army of the Philistines slew the army of the Israelites, their women, their children, old and young, until there was none left."
And how do you feel about that, Best-Beloved?
