The united kingdom · 1 Samuel 17
David and Goliath
In the Valley of Elah, the armies of Israel and the Philistines face each other. Morning and evening for forty days, Goliath of Gath, a giant of six cubits and a span clad in bronze, taunts Israel: “Give me a man, that we may fight together!” Saul and his soldiers tremble. The young shepherd David, who has come to bring provisions to his brothers, is outraged: who is this uncircumcised Philistine “that he should defy the armies of the living God”? He reminds Saul that the LORD delivered him from the lion and the bear. Refusing the king’s armor, he chooses five smooth stones from the brook and steps forward, sling in hand: “I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts.” A single stone strikes Goliath in the forehead; he falls facedown on the ground. David cuts off his head with the giant’s own sword, and the Philistines flee, pursued by Israel.
What happens
- Goliath taunts Israel for forty days 1 Samuel 17:16
- David is outraged that “the armies of the living God” are being defied 1 Samuel 17:26
- “The LORD … will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” 1 Samuel 17:37
- David refuses the armor and picks up five smooth stones 1 Samuel 17:39–40
- “I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts” 1 Samuel 17:45
- One stone to the forehead: Goliath falls 1 Samuel 17:49–51
Who is in this story
The lesson
The victory belongs to the LORD. Faith does not measure the size of the giant but the greatness of God, and it draws on his past deliverances to face present battles.
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.
Quick quiz on this story
How many smooth stones does David choose from the brook?
David “chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had,” his sling in his hand. 1 Samuel 17:40
Which Philistine city is Goliath from?
“A champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.” 1 Samuel 17:4
Why is David at the camp of Israel that day?
Jesse sends him to take his brothers an ephah of parched corn and ten loaves, and ten cheeses for their commander, and to bring back word of how they are doing. 1 Samuel 17:17–18
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