1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7: Lesson 74

1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath

When David went to fight Goliath, David was “but a youth,” facing Goliath, “a man of war from his youth” (1 Samuel 17:33). However, David knew the Lord would be with him, which made all the difference. Today, we can find strength in our challenges as we face them with Jesus Christ. This lesson can help students rely on the Lord as they face their challenges.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of situations when a youth might need to demonstrate courage. Students could ask a family member or friend for experiences they have had that required courage.

Possible Learning Activities

My Goliath

Before class, consider placing tape or another type of marker on the wall to visually indicate how tall Goliath might have been (approximately 9 feet 9 inches, or 3 meters).

Display the picture from the beginning of the lesson.

• What do you know about the story of David and Goliath?

  Invite a few students to stand and compare their height with Goliath’s height on the wall. Encourage them to imagine what it would be like to face Goliath in one-on-one combat.

  Draw a large stick figure on the board that represents Goliath. Label it Our Challenges. Invite students to list challenges youth face next to the large stick figure on the board.

• What are some challenges—large or small—that youth face today?

After students have listed several challenges on the board, invite them to draw a large stick figure in their study journal and label it My Challenge. Students could write a personal challenge next to their stick figure. Have students quietly reflect on the following:

Ponder any challenges you might have in your life. Choose one to focus on today. Think about how confident you feel that the Lord can help you with this challenge. Record your thoughts in your journal.

As you study 1 Samuel 17, invite the Holy Ghost to help you know how you can invite the Savior’s help to face your challenge.

Faith over fear

To help your students understand the context of this story, you could share any details from the following paragraph that students might not have shared at the beginning of the lesson.

Israel was at war with the Philistines. A Philistine warrior, Goliath, issued a challenge. He said that if one of the Israelites defeated him in single combat, then the Philistines would surrender and be servants to Israel. But if Goliath won, Israel would be servants to the Philistines. For 40 days Goliath came and challenged the Israelites to battle. King Saul and Israel’s army were afraid. David came to deliver food to his brothers who were soldiers in the army. He heard Goliath defy the armies of Israel (see 1 Samuel 17:1–25).

Read 1 Samuel 17:26, looking for how David responded when he heard Goliath defy the armies of Israel.

• What stands out to you about David’s response?

To help students study the following verses, you could invite three willing students to read the roles of King Saul, David, and the narrator.

Read 1 Samuel 17:31–37, looking for why David was so confident in “the living God” (verse 36).

To help students visualize these verses, you could show the video “David and Goliath” from time code 0:00 to 1:20 or “The Lord Will Deliver Me” from time code 0:47 to 1:59. Both videos are available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What had David learned about the Lord that gave him confidence to go against Goliath?

  Helping students state converting principles in their own words can deepen their understanding of the scriptures and the words of the prophets. One way to do this is by asking follow-up questions after a student has shared an explanation. The following question is an example.

  (For additional training on how to help students state converting principles, see “Focus on truths that lead to conversion and build faith in Jesus Christ” in Teacher Development Skills.)

• How could what David learned about the Lord help us as we face our challenges?

One principle that students might state in their own words is that as we rely on the Lord, He will help us face our challenges.

Relying on the Lord

Read 1 Samuel 17:38–51, looking for ways David relied on the Lord as he faced Goliath. Consider marking what you find.

If students read different roles of the story, they could continue doing so for these verses. You could add another student for the part of Goliath.

You could also finish one of the following videos: “David and Goliath” from time code 1:20 to 2:36 or “The Lord Will Deliver Me” from time code 1:59 to 3:23.

• How did David show that he relied on the Lord?

Students might respond with a variety of answers, such as when David removed the king’s armor and chose stones and a sling as a weapon (verses 39–40) or when he testified of Jesus Christ (verses 45–47). Ask students to explain how each action demonstrated how David relied on the Lord.

Facing our challenges

Consider displaying five stones or drawing five stones on the board (see 1 Samuel 17:40). These stones can represent ways that we can rely on the Lord as we face our challenges. Consider organizing students into pairs or small groups to follow the instructions below. They could list their answers on the board next to the stones.

Choose one of the challenges listed on the board under Our Challenges.

Identify five ways, specific to the challenge you chose, that an individual could rely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as they face this challenge. Discuss why you chose each action.

Invite willing students to share what they discussed.

• How have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ helped you or someone you know face a challenge?

• What actions did you or that person take to receive Their help?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified how Jesus Christ can help us as we face challenges:

If the Savior were standing here today, He would express His endless love for you, His complete confidence in you. He would tell you that you can do this. You can build a joyful, happy life because Jesus Christ is your strength. (“Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 12)

• What do you know about Jesus Christ that can help face your challenges with greater confidence in Him?

Facing our personal Goliath

Display the following instructions.

Reflect on the personal challenge you wrote about earlier in your journal. Seek impressions from the Holy Ghost to help you choose at least one way you can rely on the Lord to face that challenge.

Draw one or more stones in your study journal. Write what you will do and how you will do it next to or inside the stones.

Invite willing students to share.

Testify of the Savior’s ability and desire to help the students with their challenges. Express your confidence in your students’ ability to face their challenges with Jesus Christ.

Additional Resources

How can the Savior help us with our challenges as we rely on Him?

Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy said:

Regardless of the size, scope, and seriousness of the challenges we face in life, we all have times when we feel like stopping, leaving, escaping, or possibly giving up. But exercising faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, helps us overcome discouragement no matter what obstacles we encounter. (“Just Keep Going—with Faith,” Liahona, May 2023, 15)

Sister Tamara W. Runia of the Young Women General Presidency shared:

It is my witness that the Savior has the ability, because of His Atonement, to turn any nightmare you are going through into a blessing. He has given us a promise “with an immutable covenant” that as we strive to love and follow Him, “all things wherewith [we] have been afflicted shall work together for [our] good” [Doctrine and Covenants 98:3; emphasis added]. All things. (“Seeing God’s Family through the Overview Lens,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 68)

What else can I learn from the story of David and Goliath?

President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, explained:

For David to overcome Goliath, the boy had to take on the giant. The comfortable narrative for David would have been a return to tending sheep. But instead he reflected upon his experience saving lambs from a lion and a bear. And building on those heroic feats, he mustered the faith and courage to let God write his story. … With a desire to let God prevail, with an ear to the Holy Ghost and a willingness to let the Savior be the author and finisher of his story, the boy David defeated Goliath and saved his people.

The sublime principle of agency does, of course, allow us to write our own stories—David could have gone home, back to tending sheep. But Jesus Christ stands ready to use us as divine instruments, sharpened pencils in His hand, to write a masterpiece! He is mercifully willing to use me, a scrawny pencil, as an instrument in His hands, if I have the faith to let Him, if I will let Him author my story. (“Invite Christ to Author Your Story,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 81)

What if challenges remain hard, even as I exercise faith in Jesus Christ?

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead. …

Also let us remember that through any illness or difficult challenge, there is still much in life to be hopeful about and grateful for. (“Like a Broken Vessel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 41, 42)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Accompanying statement

Consider sharing the following statement at the beginning of the lesson as part of the discussion about our challenges.

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) taught:

Is there a Goliath in your life? Is there one in mine? Does he stand squarely between you and your desired happiness? Your Goliath … may not be ten feet tall, but he likely will appear equally as formidable. …

… [T]he help of Almighty God [is not far] away. What will our action be? … Our giant, our Goliath, must be conquered. (“Meeting Your Goliath,” New Era, June 2008, 5)

David as a type of Jesus Christ

To help students see young David as a type of Jesus Christ, consider displaying the following chart with only the scripture references. Invite students to read the passages with a partner and determine how each passage relates to Jesus Christ. After enough time, students could share what they found with the class.

David	Jesus Christ
David 1 Samuel 17:12 (David was born in Bethlehem.)	Jesus Christ Luke 2:4–7
David 1 Samuel 16:11; 17:15 (David was a shepherd.)	Jesus Christ John 10:14
David 1 Samuel 16:13 (David was anointed to be king of Israel.)	Jesus Christ Luke 4:18; John 1:49
David 1 Samuel 17:50–51 (David delivered Israel by overcoming a giant.)	Jesus Christ 2 Nephi 9:10–12 (Jesus delivers us by overcoming sin and death.)

Acting out the story

For another way to present the story, consider inviting three willing students to act out the roles of Saul, David, and Goliath, with a fourth student to serve as a narrator. You could provide students with name tags and props, such as a crown for Saul or a sling for David. Ensure this activity does not take too much time away from the rest of the lesson.

A modern-day David and Goliath story

To help your students see a modern example of someone relying on the Lord through a challenge, consider showing “Working through Emotional Trauma” (3:58). This video depicts a young woman who struggled for years with emotional trauma. You could invite students to see how she relied on the Lord for help.