Story 4 · Ages 5–12
David & Goliath - Little Guy, Big Faith
Young David defeats the giant Goliath with faith in God and a simple slingshot.
Long ago in Israel, there was a boy named David. He was the youngest of eight brothers and his job was to take care of his father's sheep. David loved God and often sang songs to Him while watching the sheep.
The story
One day, David's father sent him to bring food to his older brothers who were soldiers in King Saul's army. When David arrived at the battlefield, he saw something shocking!
A GIANT named Goliath stood on the other side. He was over NINE FEET TALL! That's taller than a basketball hoop! Goliath wore heavy armor and carried a huge spear. Every day, he shouted at the Israelite army, "Send someone to fight me! If he wins, we'll be your servants. But if I win, you'll be our servants!"
All the soldiers were terrified! Even King Saul was afraid. But young David said, "I'll fight him!"
King Saul said, "You? You're just a boy! Goliath has been a warrior his whole life!"
David replied, "When I was watching sheep, a lion came to steal a lamb. God helped me rescue it! Another time, a bear attacked, and God helped me defeat it too. God will help me now!"
King Saul tried to give David his armor, but it was way too big and heavy! So David took it off. Instead, he went to a stream and picked up five smooth stones. He put them in his shepherd's bag and took his slingshot.
When Goliath saw David coming, he laughed! "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks? Come here and I'll feed you to the birds!"
But David shouted back, "You come with a sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord! Today, everyone will know that God is real!"
David ran toward Goliath! He put a stone in his slingshot, swung it around, and let it fly! WHOOSH! The stone hit Goliath right in the forehead! THUD! The giant fell to the ground!
The Philistine army ran away in fear! The Israelites cheered! God had helped David win!
Remember this
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
What did we learn?
This story shows us that it doesn't matter how big our problems are - God is BIGGER! When we trust in God, He helps us do amazing things!