A Free Bible Story From Matney Woodard

David and Goliath &

Some Giant-slaying Faith

A free online Bible story based on the battle between David and Goliath found in the book of 1 Samuel in your Bible. David was only a shepherd when he faced one of the greatest challenges of his life - an epic battle with a 10-foot giant. David proved that God was ready to do battle on behalf of anyone who was willing to put their trust completely in His promises. No matter how small or insignificant you may feel, read this story and take courage. Because there is no problem too large, and no giant too big when God is on your side.

David and Goliath

&

Some Giant-slaying Faith

By Harrison Woodard

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." -- Genesis 12:1-3 KJV

"When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." -- Deuteronomy 20:2-4 KJV

"The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways." -- Deuteronomy 28:7 KJV

  Based on 1 Samuel 17

When God’s people entered the Promised Land, God commanded them to drive out all the inhabitants. If the Israelites didn’t, God told them that they would continually cause problems for the new nation. Unfortunately, they didn’t listen. The Philistines were one such group that remained in the Promised Land. They were a crafty people who possessed the latest weaponry and tactics. Time after time they would attack Israel and generally were just a big pain in the butt.

During one battle in particular, the Philistines gathered their army on a hill and Israel’s army, led by King Saul, faced them on the opposite hill. King Saul’s army was pumped up and ready to fight. But then those tricky Philistines had a surprise. From out of their ranks emerged a giant named Goliath. He wasn’t just some tall geek. He was a ten-foot tall, battle-tested killing machine. He dared the Israelites to send out their champion to fight against him and cursed them and their god.

 “Send out your champion!” cried Goliath. “If he is able to kill me, we will be your servants. But if I am victorious, you will be our servants.”

As you can imagine, seeing this monster standing on the battlefield made just about everyone in the Israelite camp wet their britches. They had no warrior that had the size or strength to fight against Goliath. And to make matters worse, every morning and evening for forty straight days, he repeated his challenge.

And then one day a shepherd boy named David arrived in the camp. His father had sent him to check on his brothers who were fighting with King Saul’s army. As he approached the battle line, he heard Goliath’s taunts.

“Why are you so afraid?” shouted Goliath. “If your god is stronger than my god Dagon, surely you will defeat me.”

As he searched for his brothers, he overheard some of the soldiers talking about Goliath.

“What will happen to the man that kills Goliath?” asked David.

“The man who kills him will receive King Saul’s daughter as a wife and receive great riches,” said one.

“And his family will live tax free,” added another.

Just as the soldiers finished telling David all that King Saul would do, David’s brother Eliab approached him.

“Why are you here? Who did you leave the sheep with?” asked Eliab. “You’re just here to see the battle aren’t you?”

“No, I overheard the soldiers talking and wanted to know what would happen to the man that killed Goliath,” said David. “And besides, our father sent me to check on you.”

King Saul heard about David’s questions and immediately sent for him.

“Let no man be afraid my King,” said David. “I will go and fight this Philistine.”

“But you are just a boy,” said the king. “Goliath has been a warrior from his youth.”

“While I kept my father’s sheep, lions and bears would attack. I killed them with my own hands. And I will do the same to Goliath since he has cursed the army of the living God,” said David. “God gave me victory over the lion and the bear. And I will be victorious over this Philistine as well.”

“Go. The Lord be with you,” said the king.

King Saul gave David his armor and his sword, but it was too heavy for David to wear.

“I cannot use your armor or your weapons,” said David. “I must wear the clothes and use the weapons that I used to protect my sheep.”

David went to the nearby creek and chose five smooth stones. He placed them in his shepherd’s bag and headed toward the front line.

With his sling in his hand, David approached Goliath.

When Goliath saw the little shepherd boy approach he was very angry.

“How dare you insult me!” shouted Goliath. “Am I a dog that you send a shepherd with a staff to fight against me? Come here little boy, and I will feed your body to the birds and the wild animals.”

“You fight with a sword and a spear, but I fight in the name of the Lord God who you have defied,” said David. “The Lord will give me the victory over you. I will remove your head and feed your body and the bodies of your whole army to the birds and the wild animals today. And everyone will know that this battle belongs to God and He has promised us this victory!”

The two ran towards each other, Goliath with his spear in his hand and David with his sling. David pulled a stone from his pouch and placed it in the sling. With a quick flick of his wrist, he launched the stone towards Goliath. Even though Goliath was covered with heavy armor, the small stone hit Goliath between his eyes, where it sunk in deep.

Goliath staggered and fell forward on his face with a great big thud. Quickly, David pulled out Goliath’s sword and cut off his head. He lifted it up so that both armies could see it. The Israelite army shouted out in joy and chased after the Philistines who were already running away in panic.

There was a great celebration in Israel that day. And from that day forward, David served in Saul’s army and was victorious in all that he did.

Some Things To Think About

Why was David Victorious?

Goliath cursed David – Which meant that there was a curse on Goliath – (Genesis 12:1-3 & 27:28-30)

Goliath used his own strength and skill – David relied on the strength and wisdom of God – (Deuteronomy 20:4)

Goliath lived under the curse – David was living under God’s covenant protection. – (Deuteronomy 28)

Goliath thought he would win – David knew he was already victorious – He had faith in God’s Word – (Deuteronomy 28:7)

Goliath was armed with a spear, sword and shield – David was armed with a sling, some rocks and the Word of God spoken from his heart. – (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

When Goliath walked onto the battlefield, fear filled the entire Israelite camp. At that very moment, they were already beaten. God had told them that they should never be afraid of any enemy. As long as they were faithful to God’s Word, nobody could beat them. Any one of those soldiers could have been Israel’s champion that day if they had simply had the faith to believe and act on God’s Word. Fortunately for Israel, there was at least one person, David, who had the faith to believe that God would give him the victory. Don’t let fear rob you of any victories. Stand on God’s Word and you will always win.

David had proved that God’s Word was true in encounters with lions and bears while he was protecting his father’s sheep. Armed with a proven confidence in God, Goliath didn’t stand a chance. David may have used a sling and a rock, but it was his giant-slaying faith that ultimately gave him the victory. Are you building your faith so you will be prepared to defeat the giants that you will face in life?

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Building Exercise

Faith comes by continually hearing God's Word. When you confess (speak) God's Word out loud you are planting God's incorruptible seed in your heart (spirit). In time, God's Word will take root in your spirit (heart) and produce a plentiful harvest of all God's blessings and promises in your life. 

 

Say these out loud every day until you believe them in your spirit. They will build your faith. Look up these verses and read them as they appear in your Bible. You can always trust God’s Word because He cannot lie.

 

 

I am not afraid. I stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord everyday. The Lord fights for me. I hold my peace and remain at rest.

(Exodus 14:13-14)

I am blessed in the city and in the country. I am blessed coming in and going out. Enemies who rise up against me are already defeated.

(Deuteronomy 28:3, 6-7)

God gives me victory wherever I go.

(2 Samuel 8:6)

God is my protection and strength. 

(Psalm 46:1; Philippians 4:13)

My help comes from the Lord. He will protect me night and day. He has my back at all times. He will guard my life wherever I go today, tomorrow and for evermore.

(Psalm 121)

I wait on the Lord and He gives me strength. 

(Isaiah 40:31)

God is my strength and my invincible army. He enables me to conquer everything.

 (Habakkuk 3:19)

I am filled with mountain moving faith.

(Mark 11:23)

God is for me, who can be against me?

 (Romans 8:31)

The Lord delivers me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. 

(2 Timothy 4:18)

 

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