#57.4 – David and Goliath

#57.4 Stories from the Tanakh

David and Goliath

 

#1 Read and Learn: The Story of David and Goliath

When Saul was King of Israel, People called the Philistines were Israel’s greatest enemy. Once, Israel was camped on one hill, and the Philistine army was camped on another. Between them was a deep valley. In the morning, the Israelites saw a man step forward from the Philistine army – a man so huge he seemed a giant. And the man’s name was Goliath.

The bronze helmet on Goliath’s head shone like a jewel in the sunlight. His body was covered in gleaming armor. And when he spoke, Goliath’s voice was like the roar of a rushing river. “I am the champion of the Philistines,” he cried out to the Israelites. “Choose one man to fight for Israel. Send him to fight against me!”

The Israelites were afraid. King Saul asked. “Who will fight Goliath?” But no one answered. For forty days and forty nights, Goliath came out and challenged the Israelites. And for forty days, no Israelite dared to fight against him.

At this time a young boy named David watched his father’s sheep. One day David’s father said, “Three of your brothers are in the army of Saul. Take food and carry it to your brothers.” Early the next morning, David did as his father asked.

As David came to the camp of the Israelites, the giant Goliath came out to challenge them once again. Goliath roared. “Who will fight against me?” And David saw that all the king’s soldiers were afraid. David asked his brothers, “Why are you frightened? This man is just a man like any other!” And King Saul heard the words David spoke. Then Saul looked at David and said, “Your words are brave, but you are just a boy.”

David said, “I have guarded my father’s sheep for many years. If a lion came, or a bear, I fought against it and kept it from stealing the sheep. I have killed both lion and bear, and I will kill the Philistine giant. God will help me win against the enemy of Israel.”

Then Saul said to David, ” I will let you wear my armor.” So they placed Saul’s helmet on David’s head and Saul’s armor on David’s body. But it was so heavy that David could not walk. So David took off the helmet and the armor, and he began walking towards Goliath. As he passed the dry river bed at the bottom of the valley, he picked up five smooth stones and put them in his bag.

As Goliath came closer, he saw that David was just a boy. He laughed and the sound of his laughter shook the hills. “Do you think I am a dog?” he called out to David. “Do you think you can kill me with a stick?” As Goliath came closer still, David reached into the bag, took out a stone, put it in his slingshot, and sent it flying at Goliath. The stone sailed straight and true, striking Goliath in the center of his forehead. The giant fell to the ground. Then David took the sword that fell from Goliath’s hand and used it.

When the Philistines saw that Goliath was dead, they ran. And the soldiers of Israel chased after them, until they were far away. And that is how God protected the army of Israel and gave them a new hero, the boy David who would soon become the next king of Israel.

#2 WATCH and Learn: David the Early years! 

#3  Read and Reflect: 

“God dispatched the prophet Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons future king of Israel. One by one, Samuel was shown all of Jesse’s older sons, but none were “the one.” Little David, out tending the sheep, was not present. Said God to Samuel: “Look not upon his appearance, or the height of his stature … the Lord sees into the heart.” Smallest and least likely of them all, it was David who held the potential to lead Israel to greatness.

Do you think it’s ok to judge people by their outward appearances? What might we be missing if we don’t give people a chance to show us who they are on the inside?

#4 Watch and Learn: David and the Battle with Goliath

#5: Review and Response

  1. Why do you think David was able to accomplish defeating Goliath, when so many other, older, stronger, more experienced people were too afraid to even try?
  2. What is something you have done or accomplished that you didn’t think you would be able to do before you tried?
  3. Is it hard to have courage to do things when you think you might fail?

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