David and Goliath Bible Story For Kids

David and Goliath Bible story for kids is a famous biblical account found in the Old Testament. It depicts the remarkable victory of a young shepherd boy David over the mighty Philistine warrior Goliath (1 Samuel 17).

David and Goliath Bible Story For Kids

Once upon a time, in the land of Israel, there lived a humble shepherd named David. He was the youngest of eight sons born to Jesse, a man from the town of Bethlehem. David was known for his courage, faith, and musical talents, often playing his harp to soothe the soul.

In those days, Israel was ruled by King Saul, a tall and handsome leader who was chosen by God to lead the Israelites. However, the neighbouring Philistines, a fierce and powerful enemy, threatened the Israelite nation. The Philistines had a champion among them, a giant named Goliath. He was a formidable warrior, standing over nine feet tall, and clad in heavy armor. Goliath's mere presence struck fear into the hearts of the Israelite soldiers.

See also: The Story of Noah's Ark and the Flood

The Threat of the Philistine Champion

Goliath taunted the Israelites day after day, challenging them to send forth a champion to face him in single combat. He promised that if their champion could defeat him, the Philistines would become servants to the Israelites. But if Goliath were to triumph, the Israelites would become servants to the Philistines. Fearful and intimidated, no one from the Israelite camp dared to step forward and accept Goliath's challenge.

David's Desire to Face Goliath

One day, Jesse sent David to the battleground to deliver food to his older brothers who were soldiers in King Saul's army. When David arrived, he heard Goliath's taunts and observed the fear of the Israelite soldiers. Outraged by the disrespect shown to the God of Israel, David expressed his desire to confront Goliath. His brothers, angered by his boldness, rebuked him, but David's faith in God remained unwavering.

Word of David's confidence reached King Saul, who summoned the young shepherd. Initially, Saul doubted David's abilities, but David assured the king that with God's help, he had killed both a lion and a bear while protecting his flock. Convinced by David's faith, King Saul agreed to let him face Goliath.

The Confrontation with Goliath

Saul offered David his armor and weapons, but David chose to face Goliath with only his shepherd's staff, his sling, and five smooth stones from a nearby stream. As David approached the battlefield, Goliath mocked him, infuriated that a mere boy would dare to challenge him. But David responded with courage, proclaiming that he came in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, whom Goliath had defied.

The battle began, and David charged towards Goliath. He placed a stone in his sling and with great precision, hurled it at Goliath's forehead, guided by the Lord's hand. The stone struck the giant with such force that he fell to the ground, lifeless. David then took Goliath's sword and severed his head, sealing the victory for the Israelites.

David's Victory and the Defeat of the Philistines

The Philistines, seeing their champion defeated, fled in terror. The Israelites pursued them, winning a resounding victory. David's faith and courage had triumphed over seemingly insurmountable odds. King Saul and the people of Israel celebrated the young hero, and David would go on to become one of Israel's greatest kings.

David and Goliath Coloring Page

Simply print below image and color to your desire.

David and Goliath Craft Ideas

Craft activities related to the story of David and Goliath can be both fun and educational for children and adults alike. Here are some craft ideas that you could try:

1. Sling and Stones Craft

• Materials: Leather or brown fabric, string, small smooth stones, fabric markers.
• Instructions: Cut the leather or fabric into a pouch shape. Attach strings on either side. Decorate the stones with fabric markers with words of courage or faith.

2. Goliath's Helmet

• Materials: Cardboard, aluminum foil, feathers, glue, paint.
• Instructions: Create a template of a helmet on cardboard, cut it out, and cover it with aluminum foil. Glue feathers on top for a plume and decorate with paint.

3. Five Smooth Stones Pouch

• Materials: Brown felt, string, fabric glue, pebbles.
• Instructions: Cut a circle from brown felt. Place five pebbles in the center, gather the edges to form a pouch, and secure with string. Use fabric glue for extra hold.

4. David's Harp

• Materials: Cardboard, rubber bands, paint, craft sticks.
• Instructions: Cut a harp shape from cardboard and paint it. Stretch rubber bands of various lengths across the harp and glue craft sticks at the top and bottom to secure them.

5. Goliath's Sword

• Materials: Cardboard, aluminum foil, tape, paint.
• Instructions: Cut out a sword shape from cardboard. Cover the blade with aluminum foil and use tape or glue to fix it. Paint the handle to decorate.

6. David and Goliath Stand-Up Characters

• Materials: Cardstock, coloring materials, scissors, craft sticks.
• Instructions: Draw or print images of David and Goliath on cardstock, color them, cut them out, and attach craft sticks to make stand-up figures.

7. Story Stones

• Materials: Smooth stones, acrylic paint, brushes, varnish.
• Instructions: Paint scenes or symbols from the story on each stone. Varnish for a finished look. Use these stones to retell the story.

8. Diorama of the Battle Scene

• Materials: Shoebox, construction paper, clay or play dough, craft sticks, fabric scraps.
• Instructions: Use a shoebox as the setting. Create figures of David, Goliath, and soldiers from clay or play dough. Craft the landscape with construction paper and fabric scraps.

9. Giant Goliath Feet

• Materials: Sponges or foam, string, cardboard.
• Instructions: Cut out giant feet from sponges or foam and attach them to the bottom of a piece of cardboard with holes for string to tie around the child’s feet.

10. Shepherd's Bag and Staff

• Materials: Brown fabric or burlap, large stick, fabric paint.
• Instructions: Sew a simple bag from the fabric to represent a shepherd's bag and decorate with fabric paint. Find a large stick and decorate it to serve as a shepherd’s staff.

These crafts can be used in a classroom setting, Sunday school, or at home as a fun way to engage with the story and its lessons of faith, courage, and the power of belief.

10 David and Goliath Quotes

1. David's Confidence: "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." - 1 Samuel 17:37
2. David's Challenge to Goliath: "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." - 1 Samuel 17:45
3. David's Faith: "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head." - 1 Samuel 17:46
4. Saul's Doubt: "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth." - 1 Samuel 17:33
5. Goliath's Mockery: "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" - 1 Samuel 17:43
6. David's Declaration of Victory: "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands." - 1 Samuel 17:47
7. David's Reassurance: "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." - 1 Samuel 17:32
8. Goliath's Taunt: "Come here," he said, "and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!" - 1 Samuel 17:44
9. David's Selection of Stones: "Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine." - 1 Samuel 17:40
10. The Israelites' Fear: "On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified." - 1 Samuel 17:11

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall was Goliath from David and Goliath Story?

The height of Goliath is mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:4, and it states that he was "six cubits and a span" tall. The exact measurement of a cubit can vary, but it is generally accepted to be about 18 inches (45 centimeters), and a span is about half a cubit. Using these measurements, Goliath would have been around 9 feet 9 inches tall, or about 2.97 meters.

What lessons can we learn from David and Goliath?

Several key lessons can be drawn from the story of David and Goliath:

• Faith Over Fear: David's trust in God allowed him to confront and defeat Goliath despite the giant's intimidating size and strength.
• Courage and Bravery: The story exemplifies that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act in the face of it.
• Resourcefulness and Ingenuity: David used his skills and the tools he was familiar with, rather than traditional weapons, to overcome Goliath.
• The Power of the Underdog: The narrative illustrates that with determination and belief, seemingly weaker individuals can overcome powerful adversaries.
• God's Power to Save: It underscores the biblical theme that salvation and victory come not by human strength but through God's intervention.

Where did the battle of David and Goliath take place?

The battle between David and Goliath took place in the Valley of Elah. This valley is situated in the Shephelah region between the cities of Socoh and Azekah, in what is now the modern-day State of Israel.

How many chapters are in David and Goliath?

The primary account of the battle between David and Goliath is contained within 1 Samuel 17, which is one chapter in the book.

Wrapping Up The Story

The story of David and Goliath has been passed down through generations as an inspiring tale of faith, courage, and the power of God. It serves as a reminder that with unwavering belief in the Lord, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.

We hope that you find inspiration and strength in the story of David and Goliath, and may it serve as a testament to the power of faith, courage, and the unwavering belief in the Lord's guidance and protection.

Amen!