The Shepherd Who Defeated a Giant
(1 Samuel 17)
The Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They camped on one mountain, and the army of Israel camped on another mountain across the valley. A champion named Goliath came out from the Philistine camp. He was from Gath and was over nine feet tall. He wore a bronze helmet and a heavy coat of armor. His spear was as thick as a weaver's beam, and his shield-bearer walked in front of him.
Goliath shouted to the soldiers of Israel, "Choose a man to fight me. If he kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win, you will serve us." He defied the armies of Israel every morning and evening for forty days. King Saul and all the soldiers were terrified.
Meanwhile, a young shepherd named David had been sent by his father Jesse to bring food to his brothers in the army. David arrived at the camp just as the army was going out to the battlefield. He heard Goliath shouting his defiance and saw the soldiers run away in fear.
David asked the soldiers, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" David's oldest brother Eliab heard him and became angry. But David did not back down. He continued asking questions until someone told King Saul.
Saul sent for David. David said, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." Saul replied, "You are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth." But David told Saul how he had killed a lion and a bear while protecting his father's sheep. "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine," David declared.
Saul gave David his own armor to wear, but David was not used to it. He took it off and went to the stream to choose five smooth stones. He put them in his shepherd's bag and approached Goliath with only his sling and his staff.
When Goliath saw David, he despised him because he was just a young boy. He cursed David by his gods and shouted, "Come here, and I will give your flesh to the birds." But David answered, "You come against me with sword and spear, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands."
David ran quickly toward the battle line and put a stone in his sling. He slung it and struck Goliath on the forehead. The stone sank into the giant's head, and he fell facedown to the ground. David ran and stood over him, taking Goliath's own sword to finish the battle. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. The army of Israel pursued them and plundered their camp. David had won a great victory by trusting in the living God.
A Curious Question
Why do you think God chose a young shepherd with just a sling and five smooth stones to defeat the giant warrior covered in heavy armor?
Jesus Connection
David defeated Goliath not with human weapons but in the name of the Lord. Just as David stepped forward as Israel's champion when no one else would, Jesus stepped forward as our champion. Jesus faced a much bigger enemy: sin and death. Romans 5 tells us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus won the victory on the cross and rose from the dead so that we can be rescued from our sins. David saved Israel from one giant; Jesus saves everyone who trusts in Him from sin forever.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think David was not afraid of Goliath even though the whole army was terrified?
- David remembered how God helped him with the lion and the bear. How can remembering God's past help help you face hard things today?
- What does this story teach us about trusting God instead of trusting in armor or weapons?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- What are some "giants" you are facing right now, such as fear, a hard subject at school, or a difficult friend?
- How can you remember that God is bigger than any giant you face, just as David remembered God was bigger than Goliath?
- David used what he already had in his hand: a sling and stones. What has God already given you that you can use to trust and honor Him today?
Memorize God's Word
1 Samuel 17:45: "You come against me with sword and spear, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty."
- You come against me point both index fingers straight ahead like you are facing an enemy.
- with sword and spear make a stabbing motion with one arm, then the other, as if holding weapons.
- but I come against you place both hands on your own chest, then point both index fingers straight ahead again.
- in the name of the Lord Almighty point both hands straight up to heaven with palms open.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you that you are greater than any giant we face. Help us to trust in you and not be afraid when things seem hard. Give us courage like David had, knowing that you are with us and that you rescue your people. In Jesus' name, amen.
Craft or Activity
Five Smooth Stones
This craft reminds kids that David used simple stones to defeat a giant because God was on his side. Each stone represents a way God helps us face our giants.
Materials Checklist:
- Give each child five smooth stones and a small pouch.
- Let the children write or paint one word on each stone: "Trust," "Courage," "Pray," "Remember," and "Victory."
- Place the stones in the pouch. Explain that these words remind us how David trusted God and how we can face our own giants.
- Talk about what each word means while kids are working.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Focus on the physical details of the story. Show the size difference between David and Goliath by comparing heights. Let the children hold a stone to feel what David used.
For Older Kids: Discuss the idea of "spiritual armor" and what it means to trust God in a world that relies on physical strength or weapons. Connect David's confidence to specific things God has done in their lives.
Prep Shortcut: Gather stones from a local creek bed or buy polished stones from a craft store. Pre-paint the words on the stones if the class is large to save time.
Classroom Management: Keep the stones in a central location and distribute them one at a time to maintain focus. For the memory verse, have children hold up their stones as they say each phrase of the verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How tall was Goliath?
- The Bible says Goliath was over nine feet tall, and he wore heavy bronze armor with a spear as thick as a weaver's beam.
- Why wasn't David afraid of Goliath?
- David remembered how God had already rescued him from a lion and a bear while he protected his sheep, and he trusted God would rescue him from Goliath too.
- How did David defeat Goliath?
- David chose five smooth stones from a stream, put one in his sling, and struck Goliath on the forehead. The giant fell down, and David used Goliath's own sword to finish the battle.