Little Brother Slays a Giant
Theme – What is courage?
This giant bully named Goliath is scaring all the older brothers. The little brother, David, is sent to bring them food. He’s only a shepherd , taking care of the family’s sheep. What could he possibly do to help?
Day 1 – Stalemate
Passage
Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.”
Key verses: 10-11
On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
Observations
- Philistines camped on one ridge
- Israelites camped on the other
- Every day, Goliath stomped into the valley to challenge them. “Hey you weaklings! Send me your pathetic champion to fight against!”
- Every time, Israelites backed away in fear
- “What’s the matter,” Goliath called. “You scared?”
Discussion
- Imagine our dinner table is the Elah Valley. Where are the Philistines and where are the Israelites? Stack your plates high to indicate the hills, if Mom says it’s okay.
- Why was there a stalemate? Why wouldn’t one side cross the valley to attack?
- Dad: Pretend you are Goliath. Point across the table and roar at the Israelites to send their best fighter to challenge you. Losers becomes slaves. Pick a game to play for the challenge if you want.
Day 2 – David Arrives
Passage
Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.
Key verse: 20
Observations
- David was the youngest of 8 sons of Jesse
- The 3 oldest brothers followed King Saul to war
- David was left behind. “Stay here and watch the sheep, little one,” his brother Elias said over his shoulder.
- Later, Jesse sent David with 35 pounds of food. “Take this to your brothers and check on them for me.”
- David first delivered the food to the commanders.
- Then he raced to his brothers on the front line. The brothers hollered out their war cries.
- Goliath stepped up and roared his challenge. “How about today? Still afraid of me?”
Discussion
- Would David’s brothers have enjoyed what we’re eating tonight for dinner?
- When David arrives behind the lines of soldiers with the food, what does he:
- See?
- Hear (not just the words, but the sounds of the armies facing off)?
- And especially… smell?
Day 3 – David Reacts
Passage
David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
Key verse: 26
Observations
- David got mad. He was angry at Goliath.
- David stood up for God. “Who does Goliath think he is to defy the living God?”
- The oldest brother, Eliab, was mad at David. Told him “Go back to the sheep and shut your mouth!”
Context
- David had already been anointed as the next king by the prophet Samuel (I Samuel 16:1-13).
- David’s brothers had been passed over for their youngest sibling.
Discussion
- Why was Eliab mad at his little brother? (If there are older siblings, ask how they would like the youngest to be anointed the next king/queen.)
- David’s family made him watch sheep even though he was anointed as the next king. Was David more angry at his family or at Goliath?
Day 4 – David Volunteers
Passage
“The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Key verse: 37
Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
Observations
- David talked to men other than his brothers, who brought him to King Saul.
- At first Saul said “No! You’re just a young man!”
- “I’ve killed lions and bears,” David said. “God will protect me against Goliath.”
- Saul agreed to let David fight Goliath. “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
Context
- King Saul already knew David. David played the harp for Saul and was Saul’s shield-bearer. (See previous chapter, I Samuel 16:14-23)
Discussion
- King Saul was the biggest man in the army. Why didn’t he fight Goliath himself?
- Imagine you are King Saul. David asks to fight Goliath. He is a strong youngster who has killed wild animals. Do you let him go out?
- Why do you think Saul said yes to David?
- Did Saul think David was going to win?
Day 5 – David Advances
Passage
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
Key verse: 45
Observations
- David tried on Saul’s armor but it didn’t fit.
- David chose five smooth stones and put them in his shepherd bag.
- Goliath saw that David was little more than a boy, but glowing with health.
- Goliath instantly despised David. He cursed God. “I’m going to feed your flesh to the wild animals!”
- David one-upped him. “Oh yeah? I’m gonna feed the carcasses of your entire army to the birds and wild animals!”
- Goliath couldn’t believe it. But David added: “On this day, the whole world will know about Israel’s God!”
Discussion
- When Goliath sees David coming, why is he so angry? (A: he’s insulted. Why is he insulted?)
- You are Goliath. David comes at you with no sword or shield. Only a slingshot. Yell at him and tell him how you are going to destroy him!
- You are Goliath’s shield bearer. You realize that David isn’t going to get close enough for hand-to-hand combat. What do you tell Goliath?
- How do you like David’s comeback to Goliath? 🤣
Day 6 – David Slays
Passage
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
Key verse: 50
Tel Tsafit, also known as Tel Gath, the home of Goliath and the Philistines.
Observations
- David ran toward the battle line to meet Goliath.
- Whoosh! The sling circled above David’s head.
- Zip! The stone whizzed through the air.
- Pow! The very first stone smashed into the giant’s forehead and killed him – stone dead.
- David snatched Goliath’s own sword, and sliced off the giant’s head.
- “Oh no!” cried the Philistines. “Not our champion!” They panicked and ran all the way back to Goliath’s home of Gath.
- The Israelites chased them and killed many of them.
Discussion
- Pretend you are David’s older brother. You come home, and Mom and Dad ask you what happened. Tell them what your little brother did in your own words. Remember, you don’t like him so much.
- Was David afraid? Even a little bit?
- What does it mean to have courage? Can you be afraid and still show courage?
Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:
Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.
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