A long time ago, there was a big, strong man named Goliath. He was very tall—almost like a giant! Goliath wore shiny armor that sparkled in the sun. He was a soldier who wanted to fight anyone from the other side.
The people who lived with Goliath were afraid of him. Every day, Goliath shouted loudly, “Who will fight me?” His voice was like thunder, and it made the people very scared. No one wanted to be his opponent because he looked so strong.
Far away, there was a young boy named David. David was not a soldier. He was a shepherd who took care of sheep. He was small and gentle, and he loved God with all his heart. One day, David came to the battlefield to bring food to his brothers who were soldiers.
When David saw Goliath shouting, he was surprised. “Why is this big man scaring everyone?” David asked. He knew God was much stronger than any giant. David said, “I will fight him!” But the soldiers laughed. “You are just a boy!” they said.
David was not afraid because he trusted God. He said, “The Lord who saved me from lions and bears will save me from this giant.” David picked up five smooth stones from the river. He put them in his pouch and took his sling.
The giant laughed when he saw David. “Am I a dog that you come to fight me with sticks?” Goliath shouted. But David was brave. He said, “You come with sword and spear, but I come with the power of God.”
David put a stone in his sling and swung it around and around. The stone flew through the air like a shooting star. It hit Goliath right in the forehead! The giant fell down with a big thud. Everyone was amazed!
The soldiers cheered, and David smiled. He knew God helped him because he trusted and loved Him. The big giant was not scary anymore. David showed everyone that with God’s help, even the smallest person can do great things.
David’s heart was full of joy. He said, “The Lord gives me strength and courage!” The people learned that God is stronger than any giant or problem.
Questions to think about
- Who was the big giant in the story?
- What did David do when he saw Goliath?
- Why was David not afraid of Goliath?
- How did David beat the giant?
- What can we learn about God from this story?
Message of the story
God is very powerful and helps us when we trust Him. Even when things seem big and scary, God is bigger and stronger!
Bible passage
1 Samuel 17 (World English Bible)
1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to fight against Israel. They camped at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and they set up their battle line at Ephes-dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.
2 Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together and camped in the Valley of Elah. They set up their battle line to meet the Philistines.
3 The Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath, came out from their camp. He was over nine feet tall.
4 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he wore a coat of scale armor that weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.
5 He had bronze armor on his legs, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back.
6 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went before him.
7 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to line up for battle?
