David Defeats Goliath

David Defeats Goliath

Q: How many smooth stones did David gather before he faced Goliath?

• a. 1
• b. 3
• c. 5

The Israelites and the Philistines were in a standoff at opposite sides of a valley with steep walls. Neither army was willing to rush down the wall, across the valley, and up the steep wall on the other side to attack because they would be at a big disadvantage. The armies had each held their ground for 40 days, waiting for the other to attack first.

Every morning a nine-foot-tall giant named Goliath would shout a challenge. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” This challenge filled the Israelites with fear.

Then David arrived on the scene with food for his older brothers who were in Saul’s army and camped by the valley. Despite his brothers’ protests, David convinced Saul to let him fight the giant. Refusing the offer of Saul’s extra-large armor, David picked up five smooth stones and put them in his shepherd’s bag.

Goliath jeered at David. “Am I a dog that you come at me with a stick? Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!”

David responded, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” David, armed with his slingshot, sent a stone flying and brought the mighty giant down.

Humanly speaking, the odds were against David—a boy armed with a slingshot against a mighty giant. But God was with David, and that’s all he needed to slay the giant.

For You

When the odds seem to be against you, think of David with a bag full of stones and a heart full of faith in God. You might feel alone facing the giants in your life, but you can have God’s strength if your trust is in him.

Answer: c

[David] picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.   1 Samuel 17:40

(The Whole Story: 1 Samuel 17)