There are so many wonderful lessons in the account of David’s entire life, including the encounter with Goliath. We invite you to listen and watch the Additional Resources below to fill in many scriptural details introduced in this answer. Consider using an easy-to-read translation and read the Bible books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.

Why study the life of David at all?

1. The Bible provides many individual stories about all phases of his life.  

2. The Bible repeatedly says Jesus is David’s descendant. We see that many of the experiences and writings of David represent the life of Jesus. (Matthew 1:1, Revelation 22:16, 2 Timothy 2:8).

3. He is referenced many times in the New Testament and is hailed as a hero of faith in Hebrews 11:32.

4. He is described as a man after God’s own heart. This makes David worth studying and emulating because any Christian should want this description said about them.

Some lessons from the Goliath account include:

  • When facing your “Goliath’s,” know the battle is the Lord’s.
  • Few things are more persistent and intimidating than the “giants” of our fears and worries. Giants might also be pride, distrust, doubt and skepticism – downward tendencies of our flesh that must be “beheaded.” If we tolerate a “Goliath,” he will move into our camp, dominate our thoughts and push out our focus on God. We cannot afford to tolerate giants; we need to kill them.
  • Most of us can recite the failures of our lives in vivid detail, but not the victories God has pulled off in our past. Praise God for those victories!
  • David’s eyes were not on the giant; they were fixed on God.
  • Live in the power of God by trusting the previous promises of God. God did not ask David to volunteer, but David knew God’s promises and believed. David did not give in to fear or repercussion while at the battlefront. Even though he stood alone, His faith was sound and courageous. Why? He knew the legacy of God’s ways and God’s promises.
  • By themselves, godly faith and valor are formidable. When we add the inspirational and practical power of true friendship, we create a focused momentum that sustains us through drought and discouragement. The power of friendship, fellowship and co-laboring in the Lord’s service binds us together. We can accomplish more by working together than on our own. Jonathan’s friendship with David was transformational. It fed David’s desire to always stand firm for God.
  • We are not just friends when things are going our way. True, enduring, godly friendships and loyalty appear when life is having its most tenuous moments. We should see our important relationships as long-term, God-based, loyal commitments.
  • Associate with people who have similar morals and spiritual goals. Friends impact our lives. Keep those friends who encourage you to become a godly person. Disreputable friends can too easily corrupt us.
  • The body of Christ is all one, and even the “little toes” are important to God. David’s integrity shines through in many of his actions and decisions based on his faith in God. Only when we act according to godly principles can we be confident in eventual victory.

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1129: “How Can I Be a Giant Slayer Like David?” 
The courage, faith and focus of David as a very young man
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1273: “What Can David, a Battlefront and Cheese Teach Us?”
Learning the mindset and life focus of being always ready to serve God
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated Videos
Who was David? Part 1
Who was David? Part 2
Who was King Saul? Part 1
Who was King Saul? Part 2
What made David and Jonathan’s friendship so strong?