Part 1
The Valley
My father sent me to the Valley of Elah with bread and roasted grain for my three oldest brothers. I was still a shepherd — too young for the battlefield, too young to matter.
When I arrived, the army of Israel was camped on one hillside, the Philistines on the other. Between them lay a wide, flat valley with a dried-up streambed. The stones there were smooth and worn — I noticed them. I always noticed stones.
The air was tense. Thousands of armed men, but nobody was fighting. I didn't understand why — until I heard the voice.
Valley of Elah
~25 km southwest of Jerusalem · Border territory between Israel and Philistia
"A broad, flat valley baking in the sun. The streambed was dry except for shallow pools. Smooth stones lay everywhere. The hills on either side were packed with soldiers — thousands of eyes watching, waiting, afraid."
Part 2
The Giant
Goliath came out every morning and evening. Over nine feet tall. Copper helmet, coat of mail weighing 5,000 shekels, a spear shaft like a weaver's beam. — 1 Samuel 17:4-7
"Choose a man! If he wins, we serve you. If I win, you serve us!" For forty days he taunted the armies of the living God. — 1 Samuel 17:8-10, 16
Every soldier was terrified. Even King Saul. I watched my brothers — grown men, trained fighters — shrink back. Something inside me burned.
"Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should taunt the battle lines of the living God?"
— 1 Samuel 17:26 (NWT Study Edition)
Part 3
The Decision
Eliab sneered: "I know your presumptuousness and the badness of your heart." — 1 Samuel 17:28
Saul said: "You are not able to go against this Philistine. You are just a boy." — 1 Samuel 17:33
I told him about the lion. The bear. "Jehovah, who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the bear, he will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." — 1 Samuel 17:37
Saul offered his armour. I put it on — and could barely move. I took it all off. I needed five smooth stones, my sling, and Jehovah.
Part 4
The Valley Between Us
I walked down. Thousands of silent men on both sides. Stones clicked under my sandals. I picked five smooth ones.
Goliath cursed me by his gods: "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds!" — 1 Samuel 17:43, 44
I shouted back — words Jehovah put in my heart:
"You are coming to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I am coming to you in the name of Jehovah of armies, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day Jehovah will surrender you into my hand… and all this assembly will know that it is not with sword and spear that Jehovah saves, for the battle belongs to Jehovah."
— 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NWT Study Edition)
I ran towards him. One stone. One sling. One throw. The stone sank into his forehead. He fell face down. — 1 Samuel 17:49
I took Goliath's own sword and finished what Jehovah had started. The Philistines fled. Israel roared. The battle had never been mine. It was Jehovah's all along.
People
People in This Story
David
Shepherd Boy · ~17 years old
The youngest of Jesse's eight sons. Arrived carrying bread — left having changed Israel's history.
Goliath
Philistine Champion · From Gath
Over nine feet tall, armed to the teeth, undefeated. He taunted Israel for forty days.
King Saul
King of Israel
The tallest man in Israel, yet paralysed by fear. He offered David his armour — the armour he was too afraid to wear himself.
Eliab
David's Oldest Brother
A soldier who mocked David's faith. But David proved that faith isn't presumption.
What This Story Teaches Us
Jehovah Doesn't Need Armour
Human weapons aren't what win battles. Faith in Jehovah is the most powerful force. — 1 Sam. 17:47
Past Faithfulness Builds Courage
The lion, then the bear, then the giant. Each trial built on the last. Small acts of faith prepare you for bigger ones.
Don't Let Others Define Your Limits
Eliab mocked, Saul doubted, Goliath despised. David listened only to Jehovah.
The Battle Belongs to Jehovah
David declared it publicly. When we face our giants, the same is true for us.
For You & Your Family
Activities & Downloads
Colouring Page
David facing Goliath in the valley
Drama Script
Act out the story as a family
Discussion Guide
Questions for family worship
Word Search
Find key words from 1 Samuel 17
