Taming Giants

Step into the Valley of Elah in this dynamic retelling of the legendary David and Goliath battle. Taming Giants is more than a reenactment—it's a layered exploration of courage, obedience, and God’s overwhelming power through the eyes of young David. With four narrators guiding the story, two acting groups bring the action and reflection to life: one mimes the epic showdown, while the other wrestles with its meaning in today’s world.

This flexible skit can be scaled to fit any cast size, and actors may wear period or modern dress. Whether you're working with a small youth group or a large drama team, this is an ideal script to challenge hearts and spark deep conversations about faith, fear, and trusting God with the giants in our lives.

Cast: 14

• Also See Special Instructions
• Narrator A
• Narrator B
• Narrator C
• Narrator D
• Shield Bearer
• David
• Saul
• Peggy
• Alice
• Elsa
• Rhonda
• crowd

Bible Reference: 1Samuel 17:21

Set: blank

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props: none

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions:

• Cast: Four narrators, (can be combined), speak while any number of actors (Group 1) mime out the words, while off to the side a number of actors (Group 2) silently watch the action going on. Be very careful to show active, yet appropriate actions as the message displayed by Group 1 will later be the basis of Group 2’s discussion.
  Groups will be as large or small as availability of actors dictates

Time: 15

Sample of script:

[Group 2 actors come on stage, sitting at stage left.]
[Philistines from Group 1 enter to stand at centerstage.]

Narrator A:
Now back in the time of King Saul, the Philistines and the people of Israel were constantly at war. On one occasion the Philistines got their armies together, and took up their position for battle between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim in the land of Judah.

[Israelites from Group 1 enter to stand at stage right.]

Narrator B:
And King Saul and the armies of Israel came out to meet the Philistine armies and took up their position in the valley of Elah.

[Two groups stand glaring at each other.]

Narrator A:
The Philistines were stationed on the mountain on one side and Israel on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

[Goliath and his shield bearer come out of the Philistine group. To make Goliath stand out more, have him stand on some kind of raised platform, where he stands looking down, sneering at Israelites, who cower before him.]

And a fighter, named Goliath of Gath, came forward from the ranks of the Philistines; he was more than six cubits tall.

Narrator B:
Goliath was a fearsome sight, dressed from head to toe in armor and armed for battle.

Narrator A:
And he had a helmet of brass on his head, and was dressed in a massive coat of metal weighing 200 pounds, enough to make an ordinary man stagger under the weight.

Narrator B:
His legs were protected with plates of brass and hanging on his back was a spear of brass. The stem of his spear was as long as a weaver's rod, the head of the spear alone weighed twenty-five pounds. Goliath’s shield bearer walked before him into battle.

Narrator A:
Goliath took up his position and in a loud scream mocked the armies of Israel:

[Goliath takes a step forward, gestures and mimes talking.]

Narrator C:
Why are you here, everyone knows you haven’t the courage to make war! Here I am, a Philistine and you are lowly servants of Saul. Listen to me, find a man brave, or foolish, enough to fight me one on one. If he is able to overcome me, then we will be your servants: but if I am able to overcome him, then you will be our servants and do work for us. Look at you, I have put you, the armies of Israel, to shame today; come, give me a man so that we may have a fight together.

Narrator B:
And Saul and all Israel, hearing those words of the Philistine giant, were troubled and full of fear.

[Israel people mime fear. David moves out from group.]

Narrator A:
Now David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem-judah, the youngest of eight sons. Jesse was an old man, and far on in years.

Narrator B:
David’s older brothers were in Saul's army. Young David divided his time between serving in Saul’s household and also looking after his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

Narrator A:
Every morning and evening for forty days, Goliath came out to taunt Saul’s army.

Narrator B:
Early one morning David took some food and supplies to his brothers in the valley of Elah, where the army of Israel were camped. As David arrived Saul’s army was going out to the fight, giving their war-cry.

[David talks with his brothers. Goliath wanders closer, bringing on worried looks from Israel army.]

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.