David was a young shepherd boy. He took care of his father’s sheep every day. The green fields were his playground, and the soft wool was like a cloud under his hands. He loved to sing songs to God while watching the sheep.
One day, David’s father asked him to take food to his brothers. His brothers were soldiers in the army of Israel. They were camped near a big valley, ready to fight a very scary giant named Goliath. Goliath was so tall and strong that everyone was afraid of him. His armor shined like the sun, and his voice was loud like thunder.
Every day, Goliath shouted, “Who will fight me? If you win, we will be your servants. But if I win, you will be our servants!” The soldiers were quiet and scared. No one wanted to fight Goliath because he was so big and strong.
When David arrived, he heard Goliath’s words. He was not scared. David asked, “Why is everyone so afraid? Doesn’t God help us?” David knew God was with him, just like when he protected his sheep from lions and bears.
David went to King Saul and said, “I will fight Goliath!” The king was surprised. David was just a boy, and Goliath was a giant! But David told the king about how God helped him before. So, the king gave David his armor to wear.
The armor was heavy and big. David felt like a little bird in a big cage. He took it off and chose five smooth stones from the river instead. He picked his sling, a simple tool to throw stones fast and far.
David walked to the valley where Goliath waited. The giant laughed when he saw David. “Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?” Goliath shouted. But David was not afraid. He said, “You come with sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord!”
David put a stone in his sling. He swung it around and around, like a spinning top. Then he let the stone fly through the air. The stone hit Goliath’s forehead, right between his eyes. The giant fell down with a big thud on the ground.
Everyone was amazed! The soldiers cheered and shouted for joy. David smiled, because he knew God had helped him. The big giant was not so scary anymore.
David showed that trusting God is stronger than any giant or fear. When we believe in God, He gives us courage like a brave lion.
Questions to think about
- Why was David not scared of Goliath?
- What did David use to fight the giant?
- How did God help David before the fight?
- What did the soldiers feel when David won?
- How can God help you when you feel afraid?
Message of the story
God gives us courage and strength when we trust Him, even when things seem very big and scary.
Bible passage
1 Samuel 17 (World English Bible)
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 gathered and camped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up their battle line against the Philistines.
3 The Philistines stood on one mountain, and Israel stood on another mountain, with a valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath, from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span tall.
5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he wore a coat of scale armor;
6 the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.
7 He
