Perhaps the most well-known underdog story of all time is that of David and Goliath. When the Israelites were faced in battle by their mortal enemies, the Philistines, there was not a single soldier who would answer the challenges of Goliath, the Philistine champion. For 40 days he defied the Israelites to send out their greatest warrior to face him in one-on-one combat, with the winner’s army taking the losers as slaves. Goliath was a towering menace, who wielded massive weapons and armor. The Israelites had no one willing to oppose the giant. When David, a simple shepherd boy arrived at the battlefield to find his brothers, he was dismayed that there was no man in God’s army to step up and fight. David’s indignation burned within him, and he convinced the King to let him face Goliath. When the giant saw this insignificant weakling come forth, wearing no armor and carrying no sword, he mocked and ridiculed this pathetic gesture. However, David needed nothing more for battle than his faith in Almighty God. He was not dismayed by the mockery and with one shot from his small sling he felled the great beast and cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword. The Israelites routed the Philistines and David was hailed for the incredible victory.
1 Samuel 17:1–3 – Philistines and Israelites face off in the Valley of Elah.
1 Samuel 17:4–7 – Goliath’s size, armor, and weapons.
1 Samuel 17:8–11 – Goliath challenges Israel; Saul and the people are afraid.
1 Samuel 17:16 – Goliath taunts Israel for 40 days.
1 Samuel 17:17–22 – Jesse sends David to check on his brothers.
1 Samuel 17:23–27 – David hears Goliath and asks about the reward for defeating him.
1 Samuel 17:28–30 – David’s brother Eliab rebukes him; David responds.
1 Samuel 17:31–32 – Saul sends for David; David offers to fight.
1 Samuel 17:38–40 – Saul’s armor doesn’t fit David; David chooses a sling and five stones.
1 Samuel 17:41–44 – Goliath mocks David.
1 Samuel 17:45–47 – David declares the battle belongs to the Lord.
1 Samuel 17:48–51David strikes Goliath with a stone, kills him, and cuts off his head.
1 Samuel 17:52–54 – Israelites pursue the Philistines; David brings Goliath’s head to Jerusalem.
Illustration by: Colton Rompala