Courage · 2-minute bedtime story
David and Goliath
A child-friendly retelling · 1 Samuel 17 · KJV source
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A shepherd boy
David was a young shepherd who looked after his father’s sheep. God had helped him protect the flock from a lion and a bear.
For parents: the Bible account and full story
1 Samuel 17 goes on to describe David finishing Goliath with his own sword; this bedtime version stops at the giant’s fall. The point of the story is God’s power, not David’s size or skill.
Read 1 Samuel 17 in the KJVA shepherd boy
David was a young shepherd who looked after his father’s sheep. God had helped him protect the flock from a lion and a bear.
A giant warrior
Israel’s army faced the Philistines. Their champion, Goliath, was a giant in shining armour. Every day he shouted, and all the soldiers were afraid.
David trusts God
David said to King Saul, “The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion… he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.”
Five smooth stones
David did not wear the king’s armour. He chose five smooth stones from a brook, took his sling, and said to Goliath, “I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts.”
The battle is the LORD’s
David slung one stone, and it struck Goliath, and the giant fell to the ground. Everyone saw that “the battle is the LORD’s.”
God is bigger than anything we face.
What feels big and scary to you that you can trust God with?
Dear God, when things feel big and scary, help us remember that you are with us. Amen.