David and the Giant

The Israelites were in big trouble. The Philistine army had a GIANT soldier named Goliath. He was over nine feet tall! He wore heavy armor and carried a huge spear.

Every day, Goliath yelled at the Israelites. 'Send someone to fight me! If he wins, we'll be your slaves. If I win, you'll be OUR slaves!'

All the soldiers were TERRIFIED. Even King Saul was scared. For forty days, nobody was brave enough to fight.

Then along came David. He was just a teenager who took care of sheep. His dad sent him to bring food to his older brothers in the army.

When David heard Goliath making fun of God's people, he got angry. 'Who does this guy think he is? He's making fun of the armies of the LIVING GOD!'

David told King Saul, 'I'll fight him!'

'You're just a kid!' Saul said.

'I've killed lions and bears that attacked my sheep,' David said. 'God saved me from them. He'll save me from this Philistine too!'

Saul tried to give David armor, but it was too big and heavy. David took it off. Instead, he picked up five smooth stones from a stream and took his sling—the kind shepherds use.

Goliath saw David coming and laughed. 'Am I a dog, that you come at me with a stick? I'll feed you to the birds!'

David shouted back, 'You come with a sword and spear. But I come in the name of the LORD! Today everyone will know that God doesn't need swords to save people. The battle belongs to the LORD!'

David ran TOWARD the giant. He put a stone in his sling, swung it around, and let it fly.

WHACK! The stone hit Goliath right in the forehead. The giant fell CRASH on his face. Dead!

The Philistines ran away. Israel won!

David wasn't big or strong. But he trusted in a big, strong God. That's what made the difference!