The Children's Page
Allow the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. - Mark 10:14

The Philistines had gathered together to fight against Israel in the valley of Elah. They wanted to defeat God's people and make them servants. One of the Philistine soldiers was a giant named Goliath. He was nine feet and nine inches tall and was very strong. Goliath came out to fight the Israelites. He said that if any man could defeat him, the Philistines would serve Israel, but if he could not be beaten, then Israel would serve the Philistines. The children of Israel were very scared of Goliath and did not want to fight him.

David had come to the Israelite camp to bring food to his brothers. He heard about Goliath and saw the people in fear. "I will fight the giant," said David. King Saul told David that he was just a boy and that Goliath was a mighty warrior. He did not believe that David could defeat Goliath.

David told Saul about the times that God helped him protect his sheep and kill a lion and a bear. He told the king that God would help him defeat the giant. Saul gave David his armor and his shield, but they were too heavy for David. He took them off and carried only his staff and a sling. He chose five smooth stones out of the brook and then went to meet Goliath in battle.

When Goliath saw David, he laughed. David said, " The battle

is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands." David put a stone in his sling and threw it at Goliath. The stone hit the giant in the fore-head and he fell down dead.

In this story, we learn that if God is on our side we do not need to be afraid (Psalm 37:25). God always takes care of his people. Jesus said in John 14:27, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." David knew that God was on his side and that god would defeat the giant. The bible tells us in Romans 8:31, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" We should always trust in God, especially when we feel afraid.

Down:
1) What did David use to throw at his enemy?
2) What was the name of the Philistine giant?
3) What kind of animal did David kill to protect his sheep?