David and Goliath for Kids

The Philistine army stood on one ridge above the Valley of Elah. The army of Israel stood on the opposite ridge. The wide valley stretched between them.

Each day, a Philistine warrior named Goliath stepped forward. He was a giant, towering over the soldiers near him. He wore heavy bronze armor and carried a huge spear.

Goliath shouted a challenge. He called for one Israelite to fight him. If that man won, the Philistines would serve Israel. But if Goliath won, Israel would serve the Philistines.

King Saul and his soldiers heard him and were terrified. When Goliath came forward, the Israelite ranks drew back in fear. For forty days, morning and evening, the giant repeated his challenge.

Far away in Bethlehem, Jesse called his youngest son, David. David cared for his father’s sheep while three of his older brothers served in Saul’s army.

Jesse gave David bread for his brothers and cheese for their commander. He asked David to find out how his brothers were doing. Early the next morning, David left the sheep with a keeper and set out toward the distant camp, carrying the food.

When David arrived, he heard Goliath’s challenge. He saw the soldiers run away. David asked why no one would stand against this Philistine who defied the army of the living God.

David’s words reached Saul, and the king sent for him. David said, “Let no one lose heart because of him. I will go and fight.”

Saul looked at the young shepherd. Goliath had been a warrior for many years. But David told Saul how God had helped him protect his sheep. When a lion or a bear carried off a lamb, David went after it and rescued the lamb. The Lord who delivered him from the lion and the bear would deliver him from Goliath too.

Saul agreed to let David go. He dressed David in his own armor and placed a bronze helmet on his head. David tried to walk, but the armor was too heavy and unfamiliar. He took it all off, leaving the oversized armor beside him.

David carried his shepherd’s staff and went to the brook. He knelt beside the flowing water and chose exactly five smooth stones. He put them in his shepherd’s bag. His sling was ready at his belt.

Goliath came closer. When he saw that David was young, he mocked him. “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” he cried.

David stood small but steady before the towering giant. He said that Goliath came with sword and spear, but David came in the name of Yahweh. Everyone would know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear. The battle belonged to the Lord.

Goliath moved forward. David ran quickly toward him. He reached into his bag, took one stone, and swung his sling. The stone flew through the air and struck Goliath in the forehead.

The giant fell facedown on the ground and did not rise. David had defeated him with a sling and a stone. Then David used Goliath’s own sword to finish the battle. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled, and the men of Israel chased them away.