Who Was David in the Bible? (For Kids)
David was a shepherd boy who became the greatest king of Israel. He killed the giant Goliath with a sling and a stone, wrote many of the Psalms, and the Bible calls him “a man after God’s own heart.”
- When
- About 1,000 years before Jesus
- Found in
- 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2, and the Psalms
- Big idea
- God looks at the heart, not at how big or important you look.
David’s story, step by step
- 1
The youngest son
When Samuel came to anoint a new king, Jesse lined up seven sons. God chose none of them. David was out with the sheep — and God said, “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
- 2
The shepherd who fought lions
David protected his father’s sheep from a lion and a bear. He learned to trust God long before anyone was watching.
- 3
David and Goliath
A nine-foot Philistine champion mocked Israel for forty days. David refused the armour, took five smooth stones, and said, “I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts” (1 Samuel 17:45).
- 4
Running from Saul
King Saul grew jealous and hunted David for years. Twice David could have killed Saul — and twice he chose not to, because Saul was still God’s anointed king.
- 5
King in Jerusalem
David finally became king, made Jerusalem his capital and brought the ark of the covenant home, dancing before the LORD with all his might.
- 6
A song-writing heart
David wrote psalms in caves, in palaces, in joy and in sorrow — including Psalm 23, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Memory verse
“The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)
Fun facts about David
- David picked up five smooth stones, but he only needed one.
- He played the harp so well that it calmed King Saul.
- David is named in the Bible more than a thousand times.
- Jesus is called “the son of David” (Matthew 1:1).
David & Goliath coloring page
Free printable David and Goliath coloring page — sling, five smooth stones, and the KJV verse from 1 Samuel 17.
Open & printTake the David quiz
Test what you remember with questions drawn straight from the King James text.
Start the quiz More Bible quizzes for kidsRead the full stories
Talk about it
- David practised trusting God with the sheep before anyone saw him. Where do you practise doing right when nobody is watching?
- What giant feels too big for you right now?
- David wrote songs when he was sad. Who do you talk to when you feel low?
Do it together
Find five smooth stones outside and write one word from 1 Samuel 17:45 on each. Keep them in a jar as a reminder, and colour the David and Goliath printable.
Dear God, You see my heart. Give me courage like David to trust You when something feels too big for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions kids ask about David
Who was David in the Bible?
David was the shepherd son of Jesse whom God chose to be king of Israel. He defeated Goliath, wrote many psalms, reigned forty years, and is described as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).
How old was David when he fought Goliath?
The Bible does not give his exact age, but 1 Samuel 17 calls him a youth still tending his father's sheep, too small for Saul's armour — most likely a teenager.
How many stones did David take?
Five smooth stones out of the brook (1 Samuel 17:40). He used only one.
Did David write all the Psalms?
No. David wrote about half of them; others were written by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses and writers who are not named.