David and the Giant

1 Samuel 17

WHAT HAPPENED

A giant Philistine named Goliath came out and called for one man from Israel to fight him. Everyone in Israel was very afraid when they heard him. David came to the camp to bring food and check on his brothers, and he heard Goliath too. David trusted that the Lord who had helped him before would help him again, and he went to meet Goliath with a sling and stones. David won the battle, and everyone could know that God saves.

SCENE 1 / 5

The Giant's Challenge

A champion named Goliath came out from the Philistine camp. He wore heavy brass armor, and his shield bearer walked before him. He called to Israel and asked for one man to come fight him. When Saul and all Israel heard him, they were upset and very afraid.

1 Samuel 17:4-11

SCENE 2 / 5

A Shepherd Boy Arrives

Jesse sent David to carry grain and bread to his brothers and cheese to their captain. David rose early, left the sheep with a keeper, and went just as his father had told him. He reached the camp, ran to the army, and greeted his brothers. While he was talking with them, Goliath came up and said the same words again, and David heard them. When the men of Israel saw Goliath, they ran away and were terrified.

1 Samuel 17:17-24

SCENE 3 / 5

The Lord Will Help Me

David told Saul that he would go fight the Philistine. Saul said David was only a youth, and the Philistine had been a man of war for a long time. But David explained that while keeping his father’s sheep, he had rescued lambs from a lion and a bear and struck them down. David said this Philistine had defied the armies of the living God. He trusted that the Lord who had delivered him before would deliver him again, and Saul told him to go.

1 Samuel 17:32-37

SCENE 4 / 5

Five Smooth Stones

Saul dressed David in his own clothing and put a brass helmet and a coat of mail on him. David strapped on the sword and tried to move, but he had not tested these things. So David told Saul he could not go with them, and he took them off. Then he took his staff, chose five smooth stones from the brook, put them in his shepherd’s bag, and went near the Philistine with his sling in his hand.

1 Samuel 17:38-40

SCENE 5 / 5

The Battle Is the Lord's

David said the Philistine came with a sword, spear, and javelin, but David came in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel’s armies. David said the Lord does not save with sword and spear, because the battle belongs to the Lord. Then, as the Philistine came near, David hurried forward to meet him. He took a stone from his bag, slung it, and struck the Philistine in the forehead. David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone.

1 Samuel 17:45-50

MEMORY VERSE · World English Bible (WEB)

“and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh doesn’t save with sword and spear; for the battle is Yahweh’s, and he will give you into our hand.””

1 Samuel 17:47

WHAT WE LEARN

David did not trust in armor or weapons. He trusted in the living God. This story helps us remember that the Lord is strong and able to save, and we can bring our fears to him.

DID YOU KNOW?

David chose five smooth stones from the brook and carried them in his shepherd’s bag.

TALK ABOUT IT

Why were the men of Israel so afraid?
What did David remember that God had done for him before?
Why did David take off Saul’s armor?
What did David want everyone to know about God?

PRAY ABOUT IT

Dear God, when I feel afraid, please help me remember that you are greater than every problem. Help me trust you and walk with you today. Amen.

📍 Where it happened: The Valley of Elah

CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY