Kings and the kingdom · Old Testament
The Story of David and Goliath
The Philistine champion Goliath defies Israel’s army for forty days; the young shepherd David faces him in the name of the LORD and kills him with a sling and a stone.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
The Philistine and Israelite armies face each other across the Valley of Elah. Goliath of Gath challenges Israel to send a man to fight him, and Saul and his army are terrified. 1 Samuel 17:1–11
David, sent by his father with food for his brothers, hears the challenge. He tells Saul the LORD who saved him from the lion and the bear will save him from the Philistine, and he goes out with his sling, saying the battle is the LORD’s. 1 Samuel 17:32–371 Samuel 17:45–47
Principal passages
People in this story
Places named
- The Valley of Elah, between Socoh and Azekah 1 Samuel 17:1–2
- Gath 1 Samuel 17:4
Only places the passages name. Locations are not guessed.
The story, event by event
In the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here.
The giant’s challenge
Goliath, a champion from Gath in bronze armour, comes out morning and evening for forty days and defies the army of Israel to send a man to fight him.
People: Saul, Goliath
David comes to the camp
Jesse sends David with food for his three oldest brothers. David hears Goliath’s challenge and asks who this man is that he should defy the armies of the living God; his brother Eliab rebukes him.
People: David, Jesse, Eliab
David before Saul
David tells Saul that the LORD who rescued him from the lion and the bear will rescue him from the Philistine. He tries on Saul’s armour, takes it off, and chooses five smooth stones and his sling.
In the name of the LORD
Goliath despises David. David answers that he comes in the name of the LORD of hosts, so that all the earth may know there is a God in Israel and that the battle is the LORD’s.
People: David, Goliath
Goliath falls
David slings a stone that strikes Goliath on the forehead, and he falls. David cuts off his head with Goliath’s own sword, and the Philistines flee.
People: David, Goliath
Related and parallel passages
- 1 Samuel 17:16 Supporting passage · The giant’s challenge — Forty days of challenge
Later in the Bible
Later passages that recall or interpret this story. They are not events within it.
- 1 Samuel 21:9 Direct reference — Goliath’s sword is kept at Nob and given to David.
- 2 Samuel 21:19 Direct reference — Elhanan of Bethlehem kills a giant from Gath connected with Goliath. Versions translate this verse differently; compare 1 Chronicles 20:5.
- 1 Chronicles 20:5 Direct reference — Elhanan kills Lahmi, the brother of Goliath.
Connected themes
- Courage Illustrates the theme
David’s courage rests on the LORD. 1 Samuel 17:37
- Faith
David speaks of trusting the LORD who rescued him before. 1 Samuel 17:37
Related life situations
- Fear
An army paralysed by fear, and a young man who trusts God. 1 Samuel 17:111 Samuel 17:37
Questions for study
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- What reasons does David give Saul in 1 Samuel 17:34-37?
- Why do you think David refuses Saul’s armour?
- What does David say the battle is for in 1 Samuel 17:46-47?
- How is the story sometimes used today, and how does that compare with what David himself says?
Use offline
Save this story on your device, then download the Bible books it uses in your version: 1 Samuel. The study keeps only its own notes and references; the Scripture comes from the books on your device, never a second copy.