Listen up, little ones
Listen for the Saul and the word Philistines.
Reading
1 Samuel 17:1-23—The Philistines gathered their armies for battle.
Keys for kids
- God’s people have an enemy.
- Our enemy is powerful.
- Our enemy wants to make us his slaves.
Questions
- Tell the story of David and Goliath.
- Describe Goliath.
- Who can possibly defeat this huge, powerful enemy?
Notes
Everybody knows the story of David and Goliath. The idea of a huge enemy being beaten by an undersized champion excites us and gives us hope. You can do a news search on the internet and you will find David and Goliath in many headlines about current events. The story, Keddie reflects, has been romanticized to such an extent that the residual image in many minds is no more than that of a small, but clever and agile, boy triumphing over a very ungenial giant.
The Philistine army had been against Israel all throughout the book of Judges and continuing into Samuel. Here the Philistines gathered their armies for battle against Israel. And with them, a giant champion, Goliath.
Let’s consider this Goliath. He measured six cubits tall plus a span—probably 9 feet 9 inches tall! His armor weighed 125 pounds. And for forty days he stepped forward from the Philistine army and shouted taunts to the Israelite army. His challenge was a one-on-one battle, with the army of the winner enslaving the people of the loser.
And no one in Israel was willing to fight Goliath. Saul, a head taller than the other Israelites. didn’t come forward. His son Jonathan, who had twice attacked the Philistine armies, didn’t come forward. Who can defeat this huge, powerful enemy?
Swedish Method questions
Praise
Psalm 3b, 119r
Prayer
- Ask God for protection from your enemies.
- Pray for the preparation for preaching God’s word this Sunday.
- Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.