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David and Goliath — Courage Before the Giant

Old Testament · 3:34 · Free

David and Goliath: a young shepherd faces a feared warrior with a sling and trust in God. A biblical story of courage, based on 1 Samuel 17.

Two armies face each other across a valley. Day after day, Goliath steps forward and challenges anyone to fight him. No one answers until David, a young man visiting his brothers, hears his words. A conversation with Saul, armor he cannot move in, and five smooth stones lead David toward an encounter that will change the course of the battle. His courage rests in trust in God, rather than in his equipment or strength. Based on chapter 17 of the First Book of Samuel, this story reminds us that fear can be real without having to decide for us. The scenes and brief dialogues are an artistic dramatization of the biblical account.

Read the film transcript

Two armies face each other across a valley. Between them stands a man who makes everyone hesitate. Goliath. His armor rattles as he steps out from the Philistine ranks. For forty days, he has repeated the same challenge. Send out one man. Let him fight me! No one in the Israelite camp answers. Seasoned soldiers look down, and King Saul cannot find a man to send. That morning, David, a young shepherd from Bethlehem, sets out for the camp. His father has sent him with food for his older brothers, to see how they are. David leaves his bundle with the keeper of the supplies and greets his brothers. As they talk, Goliath's challenge echoes through the valley. The soldiers turn and retreat. David stands his ground. Why do we let this man insult the army of the living God? Saul hears what David has said and sends for him. I will fight him. Do not lose heart because of this man. You cannot fight him. You are still young, and he has fought since his youth. David tells him about his days tending the flock. When a beast took a sheep, I never abandoned it. I went after it and defended the flock. The Lord saved me from the lion and the bear. I trust him to protect me from this Philistine too. Go, David. May the Lord be with you. Saul gives him his armor and helmet. David tries to walk. He stops, checks the straps, and shakes his head. I cannot go like this. I have never worn this armor. David takes off the armor and picks up his staff and sling. From the streambed, he chooses five smooth stones and puts them in his bag. The danger is real, and his next step takes him straight toward it. Goliath approaches with his shield bearer ahead of him. He looks the young man over and mocks him. You think I'm a dog to chase off with a stick? You bring a sword and spear. I come in the Lord's name. The outcome of this battle is his. Goliath advances, and David runs. The stone from his sling strikes Goliath's forehead. The warrior falls face down. David has won without a sword in his hand. He approaches the fallen warrior and uses Goliath's sword to finish the fight. When the Philistines see their champion is dead, they flee. The Israelites pursue them. The man they feared for days no longer stands in the valley. David's story does not promise that every hardship will be easy to overcome. It asks what we trust when fear holds us back. David faced Goliath with a shepherd's sling, but placed his trust in the Lord. He did not let fear have the final word.

Sources and rights

First Book of Samuel, chapter 17: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/17 . The film is an original dramatization of the biblical account, not a reproduction of a modern translation.

An INRI production. The scenes and brief dialogues are an artistic dramatization of the biblical account.

Text version: 2 · Collection: david-goliath-en-v3

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