Bible quiz
David and Goliath Quiz
This David and Goliath quiz has 10 questions, all drawn from one chapter: 1 Samuel 17. It moves from the valley where the armies camped to the stone that ended the fight. The level is easy to medium, and every answer shows the verse that settles it in the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
- Medium
- 10 questions
- About 3 min
- Answers checked against the BSB
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Hi, I’m Pip. 10 questions, about 3 minutes. Every answer comes with its verse.
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1 of 10 · Easy
What does this quiz cover?
Every question comes from 1 Samuel 17, so you can check all ten answers in a single sitting. The quiz follows the chapter in order: where the Philistines and Israel faced each other, where Goliath came from, how long he kept up his challenge, and how David's oldest brother reacted when David arrived at the camp.
The second half turns to David himself: what he had faced while tending sheep, why he put aside the armor Saul gave him, how many stones he chose, what he said to Goliath and how he answered Saul afterwards. If you want the whole story first, read the David and Goliath story before you start.
How can I use it with a class or a family?
Read 1 Samuel 17 aloud together, then run the quiz on one screen and let everyone call out an answer before you reveal it. The chapter is long, so a natural split is verses 1 to 30 (the challenge and the camp) and verses 31 to 58 (David and Goliath face to face).
For younger children, the questions about the five stones, the lion and the bear and where the stone struck are the easiest way in. Older groups can pause on David's words in verses 45 to 47 and talk about what he said the battle was about.
What is a good study tip for 1 Samuel 17?
Notice who speaks in the chapter: Goliath, Jesse, Eliab, Saul, Abner and David each have lines, and several quiz questions turn on who said what. Underline each speaker as you read. It also helps to know who David is before this chapter, so the profile of David and the 1 Samuel summary are useful companions.
All questions and answers
Try each question first, then open the answer to see the verse it comes from (Berean Standard Bible).
1. According to 1 Samuel 17, which city was Goliath from?Medium
- Ekron
- Ashdod
- Gath
- Gaza
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Answer: C. Gath
Goliath is introduced as a champion from Gath who came out of the Philistine camp; Ekron is named later in the chapter as a place the Philistines fled to.
“Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,”
2. In which valley did Saul and the men of Israel camp to face the Philistines?Medium
- The Valley of Elah
- The Valley of Jezreel
- The Valley of Hinnom
- The Valley of Salt
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Answer: A. The Valley of Elah
Saul and the men of Israel camped in the Valley of Elah and lined up for battle there.
“Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines.”
3. For how many days did Goliath come forward every morning and evening to take his stand?Medium
- Seven days
- Forty days
- Three days
- Ten days
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Answer: B. Forty days
The Philistine came forward every morning and evening for forty days.
“For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening to take his stand.”
4. Which of David's brothers grew angry when he heard David talking with the soldiers?Medium
- Abinadab
- Shammah
- Nethanel
- Eliab
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Answer: D. Eliab
Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking to the men and his anger burned against David.
“Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!””
5. Which animals did David tell Saul he had fought while tending his father's sheep?Easy
- A lion and a bear
- A wolf and a leopard
- A jackal and a hyena
- A boar and a snake
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Answer: A. A lion and a bear
David told Saul that whenever a lion or a bear carried off a lamb, he went after it and rescued the lamb.
“David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.””
6. Why did David take off the armor that Saul had given him?Medium
- Eliab mocked him in it
- Saul asked for it back
- He was not used to it
- It was too small for him
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Answer: C. He was not used to it
David tried to walk in the armor but said he was not accustomed to it, so he took it off.
“David strapped his sword over the tunic and tried to walk, but he was not accustomed to them. “I cannot walk in these,” David said to Saul. “I am not accustomed to them.” So David took them off.”
7. How many smooth stones did David choose from the brook?Easy
- Three
- Five
- Seven
- Twelve
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Answer: B. Five
David selected five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's bag.
“And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.”
8. According to 1 Samuel 17:45, what did David say Goliath was coming against him with?Medium
- A bow and arrows
- A club and a shield
- A sling and stones
- A sword, spear and javelin
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Answer: D. A sword, spear and javelin
David said Goliath came with sword and spear and javelin, while he himself came in the name of God; the sling and stones were David's own weapons.
“But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
9. Where did David's stone strike Goliath?Easy
- On the chest
- On the knee
- On the forehead
- On the shoulder
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Answer: C. On the forehead
The stone struck the Philistine on the forehead and sank in, and he fell facedown on the ground.
“Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.”
10. When Saul asked David whose son he was, how did David answer?Hard
- Son of Kish of Benjamin
- Son of Jesse of Bethlehem
- Son of Elkanah of Ramah
- Son of Nun of Ephraim
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Answer: B. Son of Jesse of Bethlehem
David replied that he was the son of Saul's servant Jesse of Bethlehem.
““Whose son are you, young man?” asked Saul. “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem,” David replied.”
Frequently asked questions
Where is the story of David and Goliath in the Bible?
It is in 1 Samuel 17. The Philistines and Israel faced each other across the Valley of Elah, and Goliath came out from the Philistine camp to challenge Israel (1 Samuel 17:2-4).
How many stones did David pick up?
David chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's bag (1 Samuel 17:40). The chapter says he used one of them to strike Goliath on the forehead (1 Samuel 17:49).
How tall was Goliath?
The BSB says Goliath was six cubits and a span in height (1 Samuel 17:4). A cubit was roughly the length of a forearm, so that is often given as about 9 feet 9 inches, though cubit lengths varied.
Who was David's father?
David was the son of Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah who had eight sons (1 Samuel 17:12). David told Saul he was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem (1 Samuel 17:58).
Is this quiz suitable for children?
Yes, most questions are about the setting, the stones and what people said. If you want gentler questions on many stories, try the kids' quiz linked from the main Bible quiz page.