David And Goliath Biblical Account

The biblical account of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel 17, describes a pivotal confrontation between the Philistine giant Goliath and the young Israelite shepherd David. This narrative is a foundational story in the Hebrew Bible, illustrating themes of faith, courage, and divine intervention ^[10].

Goliath is presented as a formidable warrior from Gath, whose height is recorded as "six cubits and a span," which, taking a cubit at 21 inches, translates to approximately 10.5 feet tall ^{[2, 3]}. He was likely a descendant of the Rephaim, a group of giants who found refuge among the Philistines after being dispersed by the Ammonites ^{[2, 3]}. For forty days, Goliath openly defied the armies of Israel, challenging them to send a champion for single combat to decide the outcome of the war ^{[2, 3]}. His challenge was a daily occurrence, morning and evening, for this period ^[3]. The Philistines had gathered against Israel at Ephes-dammim, with Saul and his men encamped near the Valley of Elah ^[10].

David, the youngest son of Jesse from Bethlehem, was not initially part of the Israelite army ^[1]. His introduction to the conflict occurred when his father sent him to deliver provisions to his brothers who were serving in Saul's army ^[10]. Upon arriving, David heard Goliath's challenge and witnessed the dismay of the Israelite soldiers ^[10]. He expressed his indignation that an uncircumcised Philistine would defy the armies of the living God [1 Samuel 17:26].

The Babylonian Talmud interprets Goliath's name and actions as indicative of brazenness before God. Rabbi Yoḥanan suggests that the name "Goliath" implies "brazenness" (gilui panim), noting Goliath's challenge to "Choose yourselves a man [ish], and let him come down to me" (1 Samuel 17:8). This is understood as a direct challenge to God, as "ish" (man) can refer to God, as in "The Lord is a man [ish] of war" (Exodus 15:3) ^{[4, 5, 6]}. The Talmud also identifies Goliath as one of four siblings born to Harafa in Gath, who eventually fell by the hand of David and his servants ^{[11, 12, 13]}. Another Talmudic account describes a later encounter where Ishbibenob, identified as Goliath's brother, attempted to kill David, but David was miraculously saved ^[14].

Despite his youth and lack of military experience, David volunteered to fight Goliath. He refused Saul's armor, which he found cumbersome, and instead chose five smooth stones from a stream and his sling [1 Samuel 17:38-40]. Matthew Henry notes that Goliath advanced with great pomp, "like a stalking mountain, overlaid with brass and iron," while David "hasted, and ran, being lightly clad, to meet the Philistine" ^[8]. Goliath, seeing David, disdained him, cursing him by his gods [1 Samuel 17:42-43]. David, however, declared that he came against Goliath in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom Goliath had defied [1 Samuel 17:45].

The confrontation was swift. David slung a stone that struck Goliath in the forehead, causing him to fall face down on the ground [1 Samuel 17:49]. David then ran to Goliath, took the giant's own sword, and cut off his head [1 Samuel 17:51]. This act secured victory for Israel, as the Philistines fled in disarray [1 Samuel 17:51-52]. David brought Goliath's head to Jerusalem and hung the giant's armor in his tent ^[2].

The narrative of David and Goliath is often understood as a testament to God's power working through the seemingly weak to overcome the strong. John Gill, in his introduction to Psalm 144, suggests that David wrote this psalm after becoming king and being delivered from wars, including those with the Philistines, implying a reflection on his past victories, such as the one over Goliath ^[7]. The story emphasizes that victory comes not by might or power, but by faith in God [1 Samuel 17:47]. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, highlights the historical nature of such biblical accounts, noting that they are integral to the structure and plan of books like Genesis, and by extension, other historical books of the Bible ^[9]. The account of David and Goliath is presented as a historical event within a divinely authoritative text ^[9].

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: David — (well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: + His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; + His relations with Saul; + His reign. + The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goliath — Great. (1.) A famous giant of Gath, who for forty days openly defied the armies of Israel, but was at length slain by David with a stone from a sling (1 Sam. 17:4). He was probably descended from the Rephaim who found refuge among the Philistines after they were dispersed by the Ammonites (Deut. 2:20, 21). His height was "six cubits and a span," which, taking the cubit at 21 inches, is equal to 10 1/2 feet. David cut off his head (1 Sam. 17:51) and brought it to Jerusalem, while he hung the armour which he took from him in his tent. His sword was preserved ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Goliath — (splendor), a famous giant of Gath, who "morning and evening for forty days" defied the armies of Israel. (1 Samuel 17:1) ... (B.C. 1063.) He was possibly descended from the old Rephaim [[569]Giants], of whom a scattered remnant took refuge with the Philistines after their dispersion by the Ammonites. (2:20,21; 2 Samuel 21:22) His height was "six cubits and a span," which taking the cubit at 21 inches, would make him 10 1/2 feet high. The scene of his combat with David, by whom he was slain, was the "valley of the terebinth," between Shochoh and Arekah, prob”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 99a.84:2: The mishna recorded the particulars of the priest’s address: The Philistines came championed by Goliath. The Gemara describes the battle between David and Goliath. What is implied by the name Goliath? Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The verse indicates that he stood before the Holy One, Blessed be He, with brazenness [ gilui panim ], as it is stated: “Choose yourselves a man [ ish ], and let him come down to me” (I Samuel 17:8), and man [ ish ] is referring to none other than the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is a man [ ish ] of war” (Exodus 15:3). ”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 99b.84:2: The mishna recorded the particulars of the priest’s address: The Philistines came championed by Goliath. The Gemara describes the battle between David and Goliath. What is implied by the name Goliath? Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The verse indicates that he stood before the Holy One, Blessed be He, with brazenness [ gilui panim ], as it is stated: “Choose yourselves a man [ ish ], and let him come down to me” (I Samuel 17:8), and man [ ish ] is referring to none other than the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is a man [ ish ] of war” (Exodus 15:3). ”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 42b.2: The mishna recorded the particulars of the priest’s address: The Philistines came championed by Goliath. The Gemara describes the battle between David and Goliath. What is implied by the name Goliath? Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The verse indicates that he stood before the Holy One, Blessed be He, with brazenness [ gilui panim ], as it is stated: “Choose yourselves a man [ ish ], and let him come down to me” (I Samuel 17:8), and man [ ish ] is referring to none other than the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is a man [ ish ] of war” (Exodus 15:3). The”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 144 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 144 A Psalm of David. This psalm was written by David; not on account of the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, by a spirit of prophecy, as Theodoret; but on his own account, after he was come to the throne, and was king over all Israel; and was delivered from the was between him and Israel, and from the war of the Philistines, as Kimchi observes, having gained two victories over them: or it was written between the two victories, and before he had conquered all his enemies; since he prays to be delivered from the ha”
1 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 17:48: Here is 1. The engagement between the two champions, Sa1 17:48. To this engagement the Philistine advanced with a great deal of state and gravity; if he must encounter a pigmy, yet it shall be with the magnificence of a giant and a grandee. This is intimated in the manner of expression: He arose, and came, and drew nigh, like a stalking mountain, overlaid with brass and iron, to meet David. David advanced with no less activity and cheerfulness, as one that aimed more to do execution than to make a figure: He hasted, and ran, being lightly clad, to meet the Phil”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 36: rude speculation, the Scriptural account is simple, intelligible, and pregnant with the highest truths. (2.) From the fact not only that it is presented as a matter of history in a book which all Christians recognize as of divine authority, but that it also forms an integral part of the book of Genesis, which is confessedly historical. It is the first of the ten divisions into which that book, in its internal structure, is divided, and belongs essentially to its plan. (3.) It is no only an essential part of the book of Genesis, but it is ”
1 Samuel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 17 (introduction): The Philistines gather together against Israel at Ephes-dammim, and Saul and his men pitch their camp near the valley of Elah, Sa1 17:1-3. Goliath of Gath, a gigantic man, whose height was six cubits and a span, defies the armies of Israel, and proposes to end all contests by single combat; his armor is described, Sa1 17:4-11. Saul and his host are greatly dismayed, Sa1 17:12. David, having been sent by his father with provisions to his brethren in the army, hears the challenge, inquires into the circumstances, thinks it a reproach to Israel that no m”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 42b.8: The Gemara continues its discussion of the battle of David and Goliath. “These four were born to Harafa in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants” (II Samuel 21:22). The Gemara asks: What are the names of the four siblings mentioned here? Rav Ḥisda said: They are Saph, and Madon, Goliath, and Ishbi in Nob (see II Samuel 21:16–20).”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 99a.84:8: The Gemara continues its discussion of the battle of David and Goliath. “These four were born to Harafa in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants” (II Samuel 21:22). The Gemara asks: What are the names of the four siblings mentioned here? Rav Ḥisda said: They are Saph, and Madon, Goliath, and Ishbi in Nob (see II Samuel 21:16–20).”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 99b.84:8: The Gemara continues its discussion of the battle of David and Goliath. “These four were born to Harafa in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants” (II Samuel 21:22). The Gemara asks: What are the names of the four siblings mentioned here? Rav Ḥisda said: They are Saph, and Madon, Goliath, and Ishbi in Nob (see II Samuel 21:16–20).”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 95a.8: One day David went to hunt with a falcon [ liskor bazzai ]. Satan came and appeared to him as a deer. He shot an arrow at the deer, and the arrow did not reach it. Satan led David to follow the deer until he reached the land of the Philistines. When Ishbibenob saw David he said: This is that person who killed Goliath, my brother. He bound him, doubled him over, and placed him on the ground, and then he cast him under the beam of an olive press to crush him. A miracle was performed for him, and the earth opened beneath him so he was not crushed by the beam. T”

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