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1 Samuel 17:34–37

David and the Lion and the Bear

A shepherd with a staff standing beside the water
Guarding the flock

When Saul said David was too young to fight Goliath, David told him what happened out with the sheep.

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.— 1 Samuel 17:34–35 (KJV)
Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.— 1 Samuel 17:36 (KJV)
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.— 1 Samuel 17:37 (KJV)

Courage Before the Crowd Saw It

No army was watching. David protected one lamb, went after the beast, and gave the LORD the credit. That private faithfulness prepared him for David and Goliath.

Another Lion, Another Warrior

One of David's mighty men faced a lion too: Benaiah son of Jehoiada "slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow" (2 Samuel 23:20).

David's Mighty Men Coloring Book cover
David's Mighty Men Coloring Book

41 bold coloring pages of King David's warriors, straight from 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Ages 5–99+. Paperback, $9.99. See inside the book.

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From the Psalms

Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.— Psalm 22:21 (KJV)

Questions About David's Mighty Men

Where in the Bible did David kill a lion and a bear?

1 Samuel 17:34–37, where David tells Saul about it before fighting Goliath.

What animals did David kill as a shepherd?

A lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:36). Scripture names only these two.

What did David say about the lion and the bear?

'The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine' (1 Samuel 17:37).

King David Bible Stories

David the Shepherd BoyKeeping his father's sheepAnointed by Samuel1 Samuel 16David and GoliathA sling and a stoneDavid and SaulThe harp and the spearDavid and JonathanA covenant of friendsDavid Spares SaulThe LORD's anointedDavid Becomes KingHebron, then JerusalemBringing the ArkDanced with all his mightThe Psalms of DavidThe shepherd king's songsGoliath of GathSix cubits and a spanGiants in the BibleAnakim, Rephaim, Og and GathKing David Coloring PagesColor the warriors of Scripture

Explore David's Mighty Men

The Full ListAll 37 mighty men by nameThe ThreeDavid's three mightiestThe ThirtyWho were the 30 mighty men?Cave of AdullamWhere the band beganJoabCommander of David's armyElhananTwo men, two recordsIttai the Gittite"In death or life"The GaditesFaces like lions2 Samuel 23 vs 1 Chronicles 11How the two lists compareThe Giants of GathFour sons of the giant fellFAQQuestions answered from Scripture

Meet the Mighty Men

Josheb-basshebethAdino the Eznite, chief of the ThreeEleazar son of DodoHis hand clave unto the swordShammah son of AgeeHeld the lentil fieldStory: The Water from BethlehemThree of the thirty chief break through the Philistine camp (2 Samuel 23:13–17)AbishaiChief of the Three, 300 with his spearBenaiah son of JehoiadaA lion in a pit on a snowy dayAsahelLight of foot as a wild roeUriah the HittiteLoyal to the last

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