Veronese has here chosen to depict an unusual moment in the contest between David and Goliath, which is not described in the Biblical account (I Samuel xviii. 51). David is shown in the foreground, kneeling on the dead Goliath, and offering a prayer or psalm of thanksgiving for victory. Goliath’s head lies on the ground to the right, his sword rests on the right knee of David, who holds the sling and looks up. In the background the Philistines are shown in flight, with most on horseback.

It is thought that this painting originally belonged to a set of miniature bravura-paintings of Biblical subjects, which included the ‘Judith with the Head of Holofernes’ in the Royal Collection (RCIN 402615). Both panels have an unusual width of unpainted panel top and bottom which makes it likely that they were made to be set into paneling or furniture.

Both paintings are clearly by the same hand, but it is unclear whether the two are by Veronese or by some member of his workshop. Compositions very similar to both paintings recur on a sheet of studies undoubtedly by Veronese, but in neither case identically; the studies were made on a letter addressed to Veronese, 18 September 1582.

The painting appears in Pyne's illustrated 'Royal Residences' of 1819, hanging in the King's Writing Closet at Hampton Court Palace (RCIN 922133).