Stories & culture
David and Goliath, in their world
A shepherd boy against a giant is the best-known underdog story there is. The ancient details make it more interesting, not less.
Key verse
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”1 Samuel 17:45
World English Bible (public domain)
The story in brief
1 Samuel 16:7Samuel came to anoint a king. God said, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart."1 Samuel 16:12-13Samuel anointed David, the youngest, and the Spirit came mightily on him.1 Samuel 17:4-10Goliath of Gath defied Israel's army for forty days.1 Samuel 17:11Saul and all Israel were dismayed and greatly afraid.1 Samuel 17:34-37David told Saul that the God who rescued him from the lion and the bear would rescue him from this Philistine.1 Samuel 17:40He took his staff, five smooth stones, and his sling.1 Samuel 17:45"You come to me with a sword... but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies."1 Samuel 17:49-50His stone sank into Goliath's forehead, and he fell on his face.1 Samuel 17:47"The battle is Yahweh's."
The culture behind the text
Champion warfareAncient armies sometimes settled battles by a fight between two champions, as seen in Greek and Near Eastern stories. Goliath's armor matches the Aegean style of the Philistines. Trained slingers were a recognized, deadly part of ancient armies, so David was not as helpless as he looked.1 Samuel 17:4-11, 17:40-51; Judges 20:16
Study notes
Goliath's height · 1 Samuel 17:4Six cubits and a span (about 9'9") in the Hebrew; the Dead Sea Scroll and Greek read four cubits and a span (about 6'9")."In the name of Yahweh" · 1 Samuel 17:45"You come to me with a sword, a spear and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies." David declares that the battle is Yahweh's (17:47).
How the Bible connects it
Every cross-reference in Lampstead says why it’s linked. A few from this page:
1 Samuel 17:45 → Psalm 20:5-7Why: David trusts in the Lord's name as Psalm 20 does over chariots and horses
We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May Yahweh grant all your requests. Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of Yahweh our God.1 Samuel 17:45 → 2 Corinthians 10:4Why: David's weapons are not of the flesh, as Paul says of spiritual warfare
…for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds…1 Samuel 17:45 → 2 Chronicles 32:8Why: Hezekiah also contrasts an arm of flesh with the Lord who fights for Israel
An arm of flesh is with him, but Yahweh our God is with us to help us and to fight our battles. The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
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Sources behind these notes: Keil & Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament (1866–91); International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915), "Goliath"; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706). Bible text: World English Bible (public domain).