The story of David and Goliath — an entire army stood frozen with fear, until a shepherd boy with no armor and no sword stepped forward to face a giant.
This account is found in 1 Samuel 17, during the reign of King Saul.
The Story of David and Goliath
The Philistines and the armies of Israel faced each other across a valley. Out of the Philistine camp came a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. Morning and evening for forty days he came out and defied Israel, and King Saul and his soldiers were afraid.
David, the youngest son of Jesse, was sent by his father to bring food to his older brothers in the camp. When David arrived, he heard Goliath shouting his challenge and saw the men of Israel flee in terror. David asked why no one would answer this Philistine who defied the armies of the living God.
David was brought before Saul and offered to fight. Saul doubted him, for David was young and Goliath had been a man of war from his youth. But David told how he had killed a lion and a bear that attacked his flock, and said the LORD who delivered him from them would deliver him from the Philistine.
Saul dressed David in his own armor and a helmet of brass, but David could not move in it, for he had not proved it, and he put it off. Instead he took his staff, chose five smooth stones from the brook, and with his sling in his hand drew near to Goliath. The giant scorned the boy who came against him.
David answered that Goliath came with sword and spear, but David came in the name of the LORD of hosts. He ran toward Goliath, slung a stone, and struck him in the forehead, and the giant fell to the ground. David took Goliath’s own sword and cut off his head, and when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
Key Verses
“Chose him five smooth stones out of the brook” 1 Samuel 17:40
“I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts” 1 Samuel 17:45
“Smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead” 1 Samuel 17:49
“David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone” 1 Samuel 17:50
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation.
What the Story of David and Goliath Teaches Us
The story shows that victory did not come from size or weapons, but from trust in God. David faced a stronger, better-armed enemy with only a sling, yet he prevailed because he came in the name of the LORD.
It also shows that courage can come from ordinary faithfulness. David had already trusted God while guarding his sheep, and that quiet faith prepared him to stand when others were afraid.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the story?
In 1 Samuel 17, the Philistine giant Goliath defies Israel for forty days. The shepherd David volunteers to fight him and strikes him down with a single stone from his sling.
Who was Goliath?
Goliath was a Philistine champion from the city of Gath, described as six cubits and a span in height. He challenged Israel each day and no soldier would face him.
What weapons did David use?
David refused Saul’s armor and sword. He took his staff, five smooth stones from the brook, and a sling.
In whose name did David say he came?
David said that Goliath came with a sword and a spear, but that David came in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.
Where is this story in the Bible?
It is found in 1 Samuel 17.