David and Goliath
A small shepherd boy faces an enormous giant. David finds his courage not in his size, but in his trust in God.
David the Shepherd Boy
A long, long time ago, there was a boy named David. He was the youngest brother, and he took care of his father's sheep up in the hills. He was very good with his sling; while he kept his sheep safe from wild animals, he always felt that God was with him. On long summer days he would sit for hours beside his flock, playing a reed pipe and singing songs to God with love. One night a lion, and another day a bear, came near the sheep; David chased after them without fear and brought his lambs safely back. Being a shepherd had taught him patience, carefulness, and how to stay calm in hard moments. But the most precious thing he had learned was this: that he was never alone, and that God was always with him. Even though he was only a small boy, his heart was full of this trust.
The Giant Goliath's Challenge
In those days there was a quarrel between the people of Israel and a neighboring army. On the other side stood a giant soldier named Goliath. Goliath was so tall and so loud that every soldier who saw him trembled with fear. Every day he stomped out and shouted, “Is anyone brave enough to face me?” No one dared step forward.
One day David came to the army camp to bring food to his older brothers. When he heard Goliath boasting, he was surprised. “Why are we so afraid, when God is with us?” he thought. David went to the king and said, “I will face him.” The king did not believe him at first: “You are only a young boy.” But David answered, “The God who kept my sheep safe even from a lion will help me again.”
Five Smooth Stones
David did not want to wear the heavy armor; he could not move freely in it. Instead he picked five smooth stones from the stream and took his sling in his hand. When Goliath saw a small boy in front of him, he laughed. But David was not afraid. In his heart he said, “I do not come trusting in myself, but trusting in God.”
Courage Wins the Day
David swung his sling and threw a single stone. It struck true, and the huge giant fell to the ground. The whole army stared in amazement. A small shepherd had stopped the giant everyone feared. That day everyone learned that strength is not only in muscles, but also in trust in God.
As David grew, he became wiser and wiser, and years later he became one of Israel's most loved kings. But people always remembered him as the small boy with a sling and a brave heart.
Sometimes we feel very small. But like David, when we fill our hearts with trust in God, we can face even very big things with courage.
Talk about the story
Why do you think David was not afraid? What do you do when you face something big?