The Valley of Elah

By Wendell E. Mettey

The Valley of Elah chronicles the incredible journey of Harry Keller, a man who beat the odds again and again, endured and survived an unbelievable medical procedure, taking down his giant in his own personal Valley of Elah. A description of the surgical procedure ultimately needed to save his life is still met with disbelief when his
story is told. For 16 years he fought the good fight. This is his story...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wendell E. Mettey
• Release date: Oct 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9780996725125

Wendell E. Mettey

Wendell Mettey grew up in Cincinnati, OH and has a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reverend Mettey has served as Pastor for several churches in the Cincinnati area. In 1991, after visiting war-torn Nicaragua and witnessing the poverty and devastation, he felt called by God to resign from his church and begin Matthew 25: Ministries. Reverend Mettey and his wife Mickey (Michelle) have three children; Tim, Clare and Aaron. Wendell and Mickey are also the proud grandparents of Ethan, Sydney, Olivia, Cora, Noel and Ashlyn. Reverend Mettey is the author of numerous devotional & inspirational publications. These include “Are Not My People Worthy? The Story of Matthew 25: Ministries” (released in 2004); “What God Desires The Story of the Center for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief” (released in the 2008); “On Which Side of the Road Do the Flowers Grow?” (released in 2009), “Meet Those Who Met the Master” (released in 2012), and “Lost and Found, Stories of Christmas” (released in 2013). In addition to these books, Reverend Mettey has published several compilations of stories, sermons and reflections. All books now available in audiobook format! Download your copies from Amazon today! All books

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BY REVEREND WENDELL E. METTEY

THE VALLEY OF ELAH

WHERE THE GIANTS ROAM

Copyright © 2015 by Reverend Wendell E. Mettey

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the author.

All direct quotes made by Jesus or other characters are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.

All rights reserved worldwide. Used with permission.

ISBN-10: 0996725121

ISBN-13: 978-0-9967251-2-5

Cover Artwork by: Joe Leonard

Cover Design by: LK Fogle

Ebook Formatting by: Maureen Cutajar

Interested in more inspirational works by Reverend Mettey?

Visit www.wendellmettey.com for a Collection of his devotions, books and sermons.

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www.theleastofthesepublishing.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION The Valley of Elah

PRELUDE

DEDICATION

CHAPTER 1 Mr. and Mrs. Keller

CHAPTER 2 A Trip and a Fall

CHAPTER 3 The Dating Game

CHAPTER 4 Life Sometimes Takes Unexpected Turns

CHAPTER 5 Bypass Surgery

CHAPTER 6 Something Went Very Wrong

CHAPTER 7 Three Times She Called My Name

CHAPTER 8 The Giant Stirs

CHAPTER 9 Plan Like You’re Going to Lose, Live Like You’re Going to Win

CHAPTER 10 Viewer Discretion Advised

CHAPTER 11 Back Into the Valley of Elah

CHAPTER 12 Healing Hands of Jesus

CHAPTER 13 The Giant Was Slain

EPILOGUE

INTRODUCTION

In the Old Testament in the Book of Samuel we are told that the Philistines came looking for a fight. The Israelites were there to oblige. Of equal size and strength, neither wanted to take the fight to the other. Both armies took up defensive positions on the opposing hills, which were separated by the valley called Elah. Not wanting to give up any of the military advantages the hills offered them, they both dug in, anticipating a protracted stalemate. There is some indication in the written record that a few scrimmages did occur but no real battle ensued.

Then one day, HE emerged from the Philistines’ encampment. Gargantuan ... colossal ... gigantic. Words failed to adequately describe either the size of this warrior or the fear that struck at the heart of every Israelite soldier as the giant took up his position in the Valley of Elah. The Philistines chanted his name ... Goliath ... Goliath ... Goliath. When he waved his sword in the air, the Philistines began hitting their spears against their shields. It was a mighty sound, heard for a great distance.

Goliath came from the city of Goth, a city known for producing large warriors. None other, however, was the size of Goliath. He stood approximately nine and one-half feet tall. His coat of armor tipped the scales at 150 pounds and the tip of his spear came in at a whopping 25 pounds. And did I mention he also had a nasty disposition?

Each day this bellicose giant would swagger into the Valley and mercilessly taunt the Israelites. He’d shout demeaning remarks about their manhood, or lack thereof. Worst of all, he made derogatory comments about their invisible God. After all, in the end it came down to a battle between the Philistines’ many gods and the one true God of Israel called Yahweh. Each day, Goliath would come and make the same proposal under the transparent guise of saving lives. The proposed plan was simple and honorable. The Israelites would send out their champion to meet Goliath and then in the Valley of Elah, they would fight to the death. The defeated army would lay down their weapons and would be subjugated to the winner.

Goliath was a killing machine. His offer was not driven by any concern for human life. No Israelite soldier stood a chance against an opponent of this size, one who possessed such strength. However, if they ran they would lose their advantageous position on the hill. The Philistines would attack them from behind, descending on the disorganized, fleeing Israelites with killing swords. If the Israelites all charged down the hill, they could kill Goliath, but the Philistines would then have the advantage of the high ground and could descend upon the Israelites in the Valley. All hope would be lost.

Day after day, for 40 days (one day for every year the Israelites had wandered in the Wilderness), Goliath walked into the Valley of Elah. Facing the Israelites who were cowering behind anything they could find, Goliath would bellow out his same proposal. The battle had not yet begun and already the Israelites were losing because of the psychological warfare Goliath was waging. He was demoralizing the Israelites and trying to bring shame upon their God. The Israelites were terrified by Goliath. In their eyes, he was growing a foot taller each day. Saul, the King of the Israelites, went among his soldiers offering great riches to the soldier who would go into the Valley and strike down this blasphemous beast. There were no takers.

On the 40th day, a small shadowy figure appeared in the Valley of Elah and began hurrying toward the giant. Both armies rushed forward to get a better look. Goliath shaded his