DAVID AND GOLIATH
1 Samuel CHAPTER 17 Israel and the Philistines engage in war—Goliath of Gath, a giant, defies Israel and challenges any Israelite to personal combat—David goes against him in the name of the Lord—David slays Goliath with a sling and a stone—Israel defeats the Philistines.
Faith in Jesus Christ can help me have courage.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–18” Children relate easily with young David because even though David was small, he overcame a big challenge. Help them see that the source of his courage and strength was his faith in Jesus Christ.
- Review the story of David and Goliath with the children (see “David and Goliath” in Old Testament Stories). Then you could let them retell the story using the pictures or line drawings in this outline. Ask them what they think the Lord wants them to learn from this story. (Or assign the children to draw pictures of different parts of the story in 1 Samuel 17:20–54. Display the pictures in order on the board, and invite the children to share the story by talking about each of the pictures they drew.)
Old Testament Scripture Stories “David and Goliath” Images
- Use this week’s activity page to show how tall Goliath might have been compared to a young boy like David. Explain that the army of Israel was afraid of Goliath. Ask the children to pretend to be scared. Then show a picture of Jesus Christ, and tell the children that because David had faith in the Lord, he could be brave. Ask them to stand up tall, like they are brave.
- Invite the children to march like they are David going to fight Goliath while singing a song about being courageous, such as “I Will Be Valiant” (Children’s Songbook, 162).
Jesus Christ can help me overcome any challenge.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–18” The children may be facing challenges that seem as difficult as defeating a giant like Goliath. David’s example can give them hope that the Lord will help fight their battles.
- You and your children could also make a list of some difficult challenges they (or others) might face during their life. Then help them find things David said that can help with these challenges (see 1 Samuel 17:26, 32, 34–37, 45–47). Share how Jesus Christ has helped you during challenges.
Friend June 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities”
Goliath Toss
Activity: Make a square on the ground with chalk or tape. Write the name “Goliath” inside. Stand back and toss pebbles into the square. Every time your pebble lands in the square, name a way Heavenly Father helps you overcome big challenges.
Come Follow Me Kid Includes an activity where you knock over Goliath with marshmallows. Could use it to have the children name a way Heavenly Father helps them overcome big challenges.
Friend May 2019 “Bright Idea” Poster or handout that says “I can conquer giant problems” next to a giant like David slew.
Lesson 28: David and Goliath,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 120–24
To encourage each child to seek Heavenly Father’s help in overcoming obstacles.
- Show the children a string or rope that you have cut to the length of 9 feet 9 inches (3 meters). You may want to attach it to the wall or ceiling or have children hold the two ends and pull it out to its full length so they can see how tall Goliath was. To help them visualize how much Goliath’s armor weighed, invite the children to volunteer their weights and see what combined weight would be close to the 150 pounds (67.5 kilos) that his armor is estimated to have weighed. Let the children describe how they would feel if they had to fight such an opponent.
- Ask the children to choose “Goliaths,” or challenges, in their lives they would like to overcome and write them on the giant. Then have them think of ways to overcome their challenges, write them on pieces of paper, and cut these papers to look like stones. Explain that all challenges can’t be overcome, but if we ask Heavenly Father for his help, he will give us strength to cope with them. Encourage each child to choose a challenge that he or she can work on and to include faith and prayer as part of the solution.
“Comfort and Courage from the Scriptures” (September 2006 Liahona and Friend)
Give the children a piece of paper, and ask them to write a trial or challenge children face today, such as immodest clothing, inappropriate media, and so on. (Younger children can draw pictures.) As the children share the trial, have them wrap the paper around a small rock and place it in the backpack. Pass the backpack to some of the children. Discuss ways Heavenly Father helps them with their trials. With each suggestion, remove several rocks. Pass the backpack again. Sing a song or hymn about the Savior. Explain that Jesus will always help us and comfort us.
Friend July 2022 “David’s Sling” Follow the paths to the matching rocks to find out ways God can help you when you follow Him.
Gospel Art Book “David Slays Goliath”
FRIENDSHIP OF DAVID AND JONATHON
1 Samuel CHAPTER 18 Jonathan loves David—Saul sets David over his armies—David is honored by the people, and Saul becomes jealous—David marries Michal, a daughter of Saul.
Good friends can be a blessing from God.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 How can you help your children learn from Jonathan and David’s friendship? Draw two figures on the board, one to represent David and the other to represent Jonathan. Read to the children a few phrases from 1 Samuel 18:1–4 that emphasize the love these two friends felt for each other.
- Give each child two paper hearts. Your children could then write or draw on their paper hearts how they can show love to a friend.
Friend August 2018 Find the words below that tell how we can share the Savior’s love with others.
- Tell the children about a good friend who helps you live the gospel or build your faith in Jesus Christ, and invite the children to share who helps them. Invite the children to act out doing something nice for a friend.
Friend April 2017 “Be a Light” Color in the sun as you figure out someone to do certain things for as a true friend such as loving, forgiving, encouraging, etc.
Lesson 29: David and Jonathan,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 125–30
To help the children understand how to be a true friend.
DAVID SPARES SAUL’S LIFE
1 Samuel Chapter 24 David finds Saul in a cave and spares his life—Saul confesses that David is more righteous than he—David swears that he will not cut off the seed of Saul.
1Samuel Chapter 25 Samuel dies—Nabal rebuffs David and refuses to give him food—Abigail intercedes, saves Nabal, and gives David a present—David is pacified, Nabal dies, and David marries Abigail.
1 Samuel Chapter 26 David again spares Saul’s life—He again refuses to stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed—Saul and David separate.
Forgiveness is the sure path to peace and healing.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026
In 1 Samuel 24–26, look for lessons about pride, forgiveness, and self-control. “Spiritual poise blesses us to stay calm and focused on what matters most, especially when we are under pressure.”(“Christlike Poise”) How did David, Abigail, and others demonstrate—or fail to demonstrate—Christlike poise in these chapters? What opportunities do you have to show Christlike poise?
Sister Kristen Yee’s message “Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness” (Liahona, Nov. 2022, 36–39) can help you study 1 Samuel 25. How is Abigail like Jesus Christ?
“Cease From Anger” (February 2010 Friend)
Take this quiz to see how forgiving you are. When we are loving and forgiving, we can be peacemakers.
KING DAVID
2 Samuel CHAPTER 5 All Israel anoints David king—He takes Jerusalem and is blessed of the Lord—He conquers the Philistines.
2 Samuel CHAPTER 6 David takes the ark to the city of David—Uzzah is smitten for steadying the ark and dies—David dances before the Lord, causing a breach between him and Michal.
2 Samuel CHAPTER 7 David offers to build a house for the Lord—The Lord, through Nathan, says He has not asked David to do so—The Lord will establish David’s house and kingdom forever—David offers a prayer of thanksgiving.
Old Testament Stories “King David”
If I need guidance, I can ask Heavenly Father.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 These verses describe how David prayed for guidance and direction as the king of Israel. How can you inspire the children to turn to God in prayer when they are in need?
- In these chapters, David became the king of Israel. It might be fun for your children to pretend to be a king or queen. What laws would they make? Where would they go for help? Help your children discover that when David needed help, he “inquired,” or prayed, for answers. For example, as you read 2 Samuel 5:19, 23, invite the children to listen for the word “inquired” and to fold their arms when they hear it. Why would David need the Lord’s help in his new role?
- Tell each other about times when you prayed for Heavenly Father’s help. What difference did it make to have Him help you? Testify that we can always pray to Heavenly Father when we need help.
Friend November 2017 “Prayers and Pumpkins” Rachel loses her family during a pumpkin walk in Nauvoo. She prays for help and is inspired to talk to a missionary couple. The couple she finds turns out to be Elder Perry and his wife, and they helped her find her family.
- Tell the children about a time when you prayed for Heavenly Father’s help. How did He answer your prayer? What difference did it make to have Him help you? Invite the children to share their experiences.
Jesus Christ is our King.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 The kings we read about in the Old Testament all had flaws, and their kingdoms all ended. Invite the children to read what the prophet Nathan told King David in 2 Samuel 7:16–17, and ask them what they think this prophecy might mean. How could David’s kingdom have no end? Help the children find and read scripture passages that teach that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, is a King, such as Luke 1:32–33; John 18:33–37; and Revelation 19:16. Jesus Christ is a perfect King and will reign forever.
How is Jesus Christ like a king? How is Jesus different from earthly kings? What are some ways that we can show that Jesus Christ is our Eternal King?
- As the children complete this week’s activity page, sing or play recordings of songs that refer to Christ as our King, such as “He Died That We Might Live Again,” “Called to Serve,” “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!” or “I Believe in Christ” “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” Children’s Songbook, 65, 174–75; Hymns, nos. 66, 134, 196). Ask the children to listen for the word “King” and hold up a picture of Jesus when they hear it. How do we feel when we sing about Jesus?
Additional Resources
Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas
The Red Crystal Lesson ideas
Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “Overcoming Temptation” Lesson ideas