Goliath

About Goliath Written by AI

Goliath was a Philistine warrior from the city of Gath who fought against the Israelites during the reign of King Saul. He is described as a giant, standing at six cubits and a span (approximately 9 feet 9 inches or 3 meters) tall, and wearing heavy bronze armor (1 Samuel 17:4 to 7). Goliath challenged the Israelites to send a champion to face him in single combat, but no one dared to accept the challenge until David, a young shepherd, volunteered. With a sling and a stone, David defeated Goliath, striking him on the forehead and killing him (1 Samuel 17:48 to 50). David then cut off Goliath's head with the giant's own sword (1 Samuel 17:51). This event is significant in David's life, as it marked the beginning of his rise to prominence in Israel. The sword of Goliath was kept as a trophy, and David later retrieved it from the tabernacle at Nob when he was fleeing from Saul (1 Samuel 21:9:10). In 2 Samuel 21:19 and 1 Chronicles 20:5, there is mention of another Goliath, also from Gath, who was killed by Elhanan, one of David's warriors. Some scholars believe this may refer to a brother or relative of the Goliath killed by David.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

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 at Nob as a religious trophy (21:9). David’s victory over Goliath was the turning point in his life. He came into public notice now as the deliverer of Israel and the chief among Saul’s men of war (18:5), and the devoted friend of Jonathan.

(2.) In 2 Sam. 21:19 there is another giant of the same name mentioned as slain by Elhanan. The staff of his apear “was like a weaver’s beam.” The Authorized Version interpolates the words “the brother of” from 1 Chr. 20:5, where this giant is called Lahmi.

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.