Once upon a time, there was a young shepherd boy named David. He was small and gentle, with a heart full of love for God. David spent his days taking care of his father’s sheep, watching them quietly in the green fields under the bright blue sky.
One day, David’s father asked him to bring food to his brothers who were soldiers in the army. The army was camped near a big hill, where a giant named Goliath lived. Goliath was very tall and strong, like a mountain in the sunshine. He wore heavy armor that shined like silver, and he had a big sword that looked very scary.
Every day, Goliath came out and shouted at the soldiers. He said, “Who will fight me?” But nobody was brave enough to stand up to him. The soldiers were afraid because Goliath was so big and loud. Their hearts felt like heavy stones.
When David arrived, he heard Goliath’s loud voice and saw the soldiers trembling. David was surprised. He asked, “Why is everyone so afraid? Doesn’t God help us?” David knew God was strong and kind, like a warm light that never goes away.
David told King Saul, “I will fight the giant! God will help me.” The king was worried. David was just a boy, and Goliath was a giant! But David said, “I have taken care of my sheep. When a lion or bear came to hurt them, God helped me. He will help me now.”
David did not wear heavy armor like the soldiers. Instead, he took five smooth stones from the river and his little sling. The sling was like a small catapult that could throw stones very fast.
When David walked toward Goliath, the giant laughed and said, “Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?” But David was not scared. He said, “You come with sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord, the God of the armies of Israel.”
David swung his sling and let the stone fly through the air. It flew like a fast bird, shining in the sunlight. The stone hit Goliath right on the forehead, and the giant fell down like a tall tree in the forest.
Everyone was amazed! The big giant was down, and the soldiers cheered with joy. David smiled because God had helped him win. The people sang and danced like the flowers waving in the spring breeze.
David showed everyone that no matter how small you are, God’s power is bigger than any giant. When we trust God, we don’t have to be afraid. God is our strong helper, like a bright star in the dark night.
Questions to think about
- Who was David before he fought Goliath?
- Why were the soldiers afraid of Goliath?
- How did David say God helped him before?
- What did David use to fight the giant?
- What can we learn about God from this story?
Message of the story
God is very strong and helps us when we are afraid. When we trust Him, we can be brave like David.
Bible passage
1 Samuel 17 (World English Bible – WEB)
1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
2 Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up for battle against the Philistines.
3 The Philistines stood on one mountain, and Israel stood on another mountain, with the valley between them.
4 A champion came out from the camp of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
5 He had
