David Slays Goliath

1 Samuel 17
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 1 Samuel 17:45

The Philistines and the Israelites were at war with each other. The Philistines gathered their armies on one mountain, while King Saul and the men of Israel gathered across the valley on the opposite mountain (see 1 Samuel 17:23).

Goliath was a giant Philistine soldier who was over nine feet tall. He wore heavy armor and a brass helmet and carried a large spear. (See 1 Samuel 17:47.)

Goliath shouted to the Israelite army to send a man to fight him. He said that if the Israelite killed him, the Philistines would be servants to the Israelites. But if Goliath killed the Israelite, then the Israelites would be servants to the Philistines. (See 1 Samuel 17:810.) King Saul and his army were afraid of Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17:11).

Goliath repeated his challenge each night and day for 40 days, but no one was brave enough to fight him (see 1 Samuel 17:16).

A man named Jesse had three sons who were part of Saul's army. But David, Jesse's youngest son, still lived in Bethlehem with his father. Jesse asked David to take some food to his three brothers and find out how they were doing. (See 1 Samuel 17:13, 1 Samuel 17:1718.)

While David was with his brothers, Goliath again shouted his challenge. The Israelites fled when they saw Goliath. (See 1 Samuel 17:2324.) David asked the soldiers, "Who is this ... Philistine, that he should defy [challenge] the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26).

When Saul was told what David had said, he sent for him. David told Saul that he would fight Goliath. (See 1 Samuel 17:3132.) But Saul said to David, "Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth" (1 Samuel 17:33).

David told Saul that the Lord had helped him kill a lion and a bear while he tended his father's sheep. He said the Lord would help him as he fought Goliath. (See 1 Samuel 17:3437.) Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with thee" (1 Samuel 17:37).

Then Saul gave David his armor, a helmet, and a sword, but they were too big and heavy for David. He removed the armor and took only his staff, five smooth stones, and a sling as he went to face the mighty Goliath. (See 1 Samuel 17:3840.)

When Goliath saw the young boy without armor, he made fun of him and cursed him (see 1 Samuel 17:4244). David said, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel" (1 Samuel 17:45). David told Goliath that with the Lord's help, he would kill him (see 1 Samuel 17:46).

As Goliath came near, David put a stone in his sling, swung the sling around his head, and let the stone go. The stone sank into Goliath's forehead, and Goliath fell to the ground. David then used Goliath's sword to kill the giant and cut off his head. When the Philistine army saw that Goliath was dead, they fled, but the men of Israel chased them and defeated them in battle. (See 1 Samuel 17:4853.)

Summary

Goliath, a giant Philistine soldier, challenged the Israelite army to send out a man to fight him. No Israelites were brave enough to stand against Goliath except David, a young shepherd. Armed with his faith in the Lord and with his sling, David went to fight the giant. Goliath made fun of the boy when he saw him, but David was not afraid. He trusted in the Lord's help. David put a stone in his sling, swung it, and let go. The stone sank into Goliath's forehead and he fell to the ground. David ran forward, picked up Goliath's sword, and cut off his head.

Artist, Ted Henninger

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA

My Word: David is the Great-grandson of Ruth. He developed a strong testimony of the God of Israel (Jehovah, Jesus Christ.) When did he develop this testimony? Perhaps first at his father's knee and later in the solitude of keeping watch over the sheep. Now just think of a teenage boy, alone hours on end, becoming proficient with a sling seems perfectly logical. I like the way this artwork shows "motion." Remember, David ran toward Goliath! Do you cower at your "giants" or can you conquer them with faith and enthusiasm? Attitude is everything!

Assignment: Read 1 Samuel 17! Everyone should know this story...it's every Primary aged child's favorite! Identify some of your "Goliath's." Use the feeling you get when reading David's response to Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-46) and slay your giants! Do you think that a little "solitude" is necessary in developing a testimony? Set aside a few minutes each day to ponder what you have learned about the scriptures. (This is why I don't mind doing the dishes too much...it's the time that no one interferes....they are afraid they'll be put to work.) What have you learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Do you see Them involved in the lives of the people we are reading about? Look for Them, They are there!