David and the Giant

(David and Goliath-American version for children) #203

One time King Saul and all the Israelite soldiers had gathered together to fight against the wicked Philistine soldiers. There they were, each army camped on a hill, with a valley between.

Now the Philistines had a giant in their army nearly ten feet tall... AND THAT'S REALLY TALL!!! He wore a big helmet and a heavy suit of armor. Say but he was tough. He came swaggering out every day, shouting to the soldiers of Israel, "You sissies, what are you doing? Come on, choose a man and let him fight me. If he wins, we'll be your servants, but if I win, a-ha-, then all of you will have to serve us." Well, he was so big and tall and tough that no one would fight him. King Saul and his soldiers were just plain scared, and didn't know what to do.

You know what I think? They forgot to pray, or they wouldn't have been such scardy-cats. Anyway, this is what happened. David, a young shepherd boy, had been given some rations to take to his brothers in the Israelite Army. Away he went, happy as a lark that he could go.

When he got there, about the first thing he heard was the giant Goliath, shouting and boasting, and David could see how scared the Israelite soldiers were. David said, "Who is this man, making fun of the soldiers of God. Let a man go forth and kill him. If one of you won't, I will!"

But King Saul said, "You're only a boy...you can't fight him. He has been a fighting soldier for years." But David answered, "I am only a shepherd boy, but I trust in the Lord. He will help me and the Lord won't let Goliath hurt me."

"All right", said the King doubtfully, "If you really want to." And he gave David his armor and helmet. But David said, "Oh, I can't use that stuff. It's too big and heavy and I'm not used to it." Then he picked up his shepherd staff and sling-shot, chose five smooth stones and walked toward the giant.

Well, that was something to see. David, just a young fellow with a stick and a sling-shot...AND HUGE OLD TOUGH GOLIATH, with his armor and spear, with a man in front of him bearing his shield. When Goliath the giant saw David, he swore at him and roared, "AM I A DOG THAT YOU COME TO ME WITH A STICK? COME HERE AND I'LL GIVE YOU TO THE BUZZARDS TO EAT."

Then David called out, "You come with a sword, a spear and a shield, but I come in the name of the Lord, the God of the armies of Israel. God will help me, and this very day I will cut off your head. And everyone will know there is one true God."

Suddenly David ran forward and out from his sling flew a stone. Zing...plunk! It hit Goliath right in the forehead. Down fell the big old giant, with a crash! (noise) Quick as a wink, David ran, took out the giant's sword, and off went the giant's head. Say, the rest of the Philistine soldiers were so surprised and so scared, that you couldn't see them for dust. Then King Saul and David and the Israelite soldiers shouted for joy that the wicked Goliath was dead.

Well, that's the story, and a good one. But the best part is that you belong in that story, too. You see, God saved David from the giant, because David believed God and trusted Him. God wants to save you from something worse than a giant. He wants to save you from sin. He will save you if you believe Him and trust in Him. Jesus died for your sins so God could save you. If you ask Him, He'll do it right now.