“the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands”

1 Samuel 17:47 (KJV)

The story

The Philistine army and the army of Israel faced each other across the valley of Elah. A champion named Goliath of Gath came out of the Philistine camp. He was huge, wearing a brass helmet and a heavy coat of mail, with greaves of brass on his legs and a spear whose head weighed six hundred shekels of iron (1 Samuel 17:7). He proposed single combat: whichever side lost its man would serve the other. Morning and evening for forty days he defied Israel, and when Saul and all Israel heard his challenge, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 1 Samuel 17:1-16

David, the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem, was sent by his father to bring an ephah of parched corn, ten loaves, and ten cheeses to his older brothers at the camp (1 Samuel 17:17-18). When David arrived and heard Goliath defy the armies of the living God, he was troubled that no one would answer. His oldest brother Eliab was angry with him and accused him of pride, but David kept asking why this Philistine should be allowed to reproach Israel. 1 Samuel 17:12-30

David told King Saul he would fight, and Saul objected that he was only a youth against a man of war. But David explained that the LORD had already delivered him from a lion and a bear while he kept the sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-36), and the same LORD would deliver him from the Philistine. Saul tried to put his own armor on David, but David took it off because he had not proved it. 1 Samuel 17:32-39

David took his staff, chose five smooth stones from the brook, and went out with his sling. When Goliath cursed him, David answered, 'I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts,' and declared that the battle is the LORD's. David put his hand in his bag, took a stone, slung it, and struck Goliath in the forehead, and the giant fell to the ground. David had no sword in his hand, so he took Goliath's own sword and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. 1 Samuel 17:40-51

Quiz

1. In what valley were the two armies gathered?

   • The valley of Elah
   • The valley of Hinnom
   • The valley of Jezreel
   • The valley of Achor

2. From what Philistine city did the champion come?

   • Ekron
   • Ashdod
   • Gath
   • Gaza

3. How many days did Goliath present himself to defy Israel?

   • Seven days
   • Thirty days
   • Forty days
   • Ten days

4. Who was David's father?

   • Jesse
   • Abinadab
   • Eliab
   • Nahash

5. Where was David's family from?

   • Hebron
   • Bethlehem
   • Gath
   • Shiloh

6. Which two animals had David killed while keeping the sheep?

   • A wolf and a bear
   • A lion and a bear
   • A lion and a leopard
   • A bear and a boar

7. Why did David take off Saul's armor?

   • It was too heavy to lift
   • He had not proved it
   • It was broken
   • Saul told him to remove it

8. How many smooth stones did David choose from the brook?

   • Five
   • Three
   • Seven
   • Two

9. In whose name did David say he came against Goliath?

   • In the name of King Saul
   • In his own name
   • In the name of the LORD of hosts
   • In the name of Israel's army

10. What did David use to cut off Goliath's head?

    • His own sword
    • Goliath's own sword
    • A spear
    • An axe