1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 17

Clarke adds that the word champion really comes from the Hebrew word, “a middle man, the man between two.” The idea is that this was a man who stood between the two armies and fought as a representative of his army. Literally, “a man of the two middles,” i.e. one who enters the space between the two armies in order to decide the contest by a single combat. Smith comments on the concept of one on one combat in the ancient world - Another example of such representative combat, with twelve on each side, is recorded in 2Sa 2:12. Documentation of such combat about this time in the ancient Near East is found in “The Story of Sinuhe,” ANET, 20a). (1-2 Samuel - College Press) Whose height was six cubits and a span - See TSK note below. His height was in the range of 9-11 feet (See picture of Robert Wadlow above who topped out at 8'11.1"). The NET Note says "A cubit was approximately eighteen inches, a span nine inches. So, according to the Hebrew tradition, Goliath was about nine feet, nine inches tall (cf. NIV, CEV, NLT "over nine feet"; NCV "nine feet, four inches"; TEV "nearly 3 metres"). However, some Greek witnesses, Josephus, and a manuscript of 1 Samuel from Qumran read "four cubits and a span" here, that is, about six feet, nine inches (cf. NAB "six and a half feet"). TSK note on six cubits: According to Bishop Cumberland's calculation, the height of Goliath was about eleven feet ten inches; but Parkhurst estimating the ordinary cubit at seventeen inches and a half, calculates that he was nine feet six inches high. (ED: AS A FORMER COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER, EITHER HEIGHT WOULD MADE HIM THE DOMINANT PLAYER IN THE NBA!) Few instances can be produced of men who can be compared with him. Pliny says, "The tallest man that hath been seen in our days was one name Gabara, who, in the days of Claudius, the late Emperor, was brought out of Arabia: he was nine feet nine inches." Josephus mentions a Jew, named Eleazar, whom Vitellius sent to Rome, who was seven cubits, or ten feet two inches high. Becanus saw a man near ten feet, and a woman that was full ten feet. And, to mention no more, a man of the name of John Middleton, born at Hale, near Warrington, in Lancashire, in the reign of James the First, was more than nine feet high. Dr. Plott, in his history of Staffordshire, says, that "his hand, from the carpus to the end of the middle finger, was seventeen inches, his palms eight inches and a half broad, and his whole height was nine feet three inches; wanting but six inches of the height of Goliath of Gath." Gigantic Faith - Everything is possible for one who believes.—Mark 9:23 Read 1 Samuel 17:1–58 I was not raised in a Christian home. For the first 20 years of my life, I read very little of the Bible. But even as a child I knew the story of David and Goliath. The Scripture’s account of David’s defeat of the Philistine champion who towered over the Israelites at nine feet has become the archetypal underdog story. Make no mistake. This is not an account of pluck or even courage. It is a story about faith. David’s conviction that God could use him to defeat Goliath was not an exercise in positive thinking. David’s faith had been proven in a variety of smaller encounters while he served as a shepherd watching over his father’s flocks (1Sa 17:34–37). Because of this, David was shocked to arrive at the battlefield and find the armies of Israel cowering in fear (1Sa 17:24). Eliab’s reaction when he overheard David questioning the men about the situation confirmed the Lord’s wisdom in choosing David over Eliab. David also exercised common sense when he refused the honor of wearing Saul’s armor and chose to meet Goliath carrying only his familiar staff, shepherd’s bag, and sling (1Sa 17:40). These were the weapons God had used when David faced the lion and the bear. He saw no reason why God could not use them to defeat Goliath as well. You know how the story ends. It is not a story about how the small can defeat the large. It is a story that reminds us that the victory belongs to God who is greater than all. Faith is not a feeling of confidence, so much as it is an attitude of dependence on Him!  We may be tempted to think that effective faith is a matter of volume. But a mere grain of faith is all that is needed! Your faith may not be as great as your present need, but you serve a God who is greater than both. As the story of David’s victory over Goliath shows, faith is not about confidence, but about our dependence on God. Thank the Father for showing Himself faithful and strong in your life. You can always depend on Him! (Courtesy of Today in the Word) QUESTION - How tall was Goliath? ANSWER - Goliath is a biblical character found in 1 Samuel 17. The Bible says he was a large man who fought as a champion for the Philistine army against God’s people, the Israelites. How tall was Goliath in reality? Normally, we equate him with a giant, as most Bible translations state that he was over nine feet tall (1 Samuel 17:4, NIV). The Masoretic Text, the Hebrew text that has long been accepted by the Jewish people, states that Goliath’s height was “six cubits and one span.” Taking a cubit to be approximately eighteen inches and a span to equal six, this figures to a height of approximately nine feet, six inches. It seems Goliath may have had some Anakim blood in him (see Deuteronomy 9:2). There is, however, a variation found in some ancient texts on the matter of Goliath’s height. A Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, records Goliath’s height as four cubits and one span. Current measurements translate this to about six feet, six inches. While this would shorten Goliath some, he still would have been quite a bit taller than the average man’s height at that time—about five and a half feet. There are other sources that corroborate the shorter measurement, including one Hebrew text among the Dead Sea Scrolls and the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus. The NET Bible goes with the shorter height, saying that Goliath was “close to seven feet tall” (1 Samuel 17:4). When it comes to the deviation between these measurements, it is important to note a couple things. First, the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. The difference may be due to how the measurements were translated into Greek for the Septuagint. Second, the measurement of a cubit is not precise, since a cubit was based on the distance from a person’s elbow to the tip of a finger. Thus, the length of a cubit would vary somewhat, according to the one doing the measuring and the length of his arm. Regardless of Goliath’s precise height, we know from God’s Word that he was a formidable opponent. He was not only tall—at least a foot taller than David, and possibly several feet taller—he was also strong. His bronze armor alone weighed 125 pounds (1 Samuel 17:5), and he carried a giant-sized spear (verse 7). There was a reason that Goliath was the “champion” of the Philistines (verse 4). In the end, however, a young man named David, armed with only a simple sling, a few rocks, and faith, defeated this enemy of Israel. David proved stronger than Goliath because he had the almighty God on his side. GotQuestions.org QUESTION - Was Goliath one of the Nephilim? ANSWER - Who and what the Nephilim were is up for debate. Before the flood, there were Nephilim that were the offspring of “the sons of God” and “the daughters of men” (see Genesis 6:1–4). The meaning of this passage is disputed. Regardless of their specific “DNA,” it seems that the Nephilim were extraordinary. All of them would have been killed in the flood, in which only Noah and his immediate family were spared. Nevertheless, the text indicates that the Nephilim also existed after the flood—they were “on the earth in those days—and also afterward”—that is, after the flood (Genesis 6:4). If the Nephilim were gigantic warrior people before the flood, it is possible that giant warriors after the flood were also called Nephilim. A modern parallel might be the “modern superhero.” Everyone knows that Superman, Spider-man, and Wonder Woman do not exist in real life, but the mythology of the superhero is firmly planted in our collective psyche. When, on occasion, a policeman, fireman, or a member of the armed forces performs some extraordinarily heroic and dangerous rescue, the news media might refer to that person a “real-life superhero.” They do not mean that this person is actually endowed with superhuman powers, but that his behavior goes so far beyond the ordinary that he is living up to the commonly accepted mythology. This is a possibility in the Old Testament as well: any time an exceptional warrior was found, he was called a “Nephilim” without necessarily implying that he was the offspring of the “sons of God” in Genesis 6. This could explain how giants—fearfully large and ferocious warriors—are called Nephilim after the flood. In Numbers, Moses sends twelve spies into the land of Canaan—the Promised Land. All the spies agreed that the land was good with plenty to offer, but ten of the spies also were fearful that Israel could not take the land because of the people living in it: “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” (Numbers 13:32–33). Here the Nephilim are described as the descendants of Anak and are associated with men of great size—giants. The best explanation seems to be that the word Nephilim had become a semi-technical term for “giant warrior.” It may have held some overtones of mystery as well, similar to the modern term monster, which can refer to size, as in monster truck. It can also have dark overtones, referring to an evil character. And finally, a monster might be some kind of abnormal or terrifying creature. With our limited knowledge of the word Nephilim, the best we can say is that it appears the Nephilim were gigantic, mysterious warriors of uncertain heritage. To the people who observed them, they seemed to be unnaturally formidable, large, and fierce. Of all the giants, Goliath is the most infamous, although the Bible never uses the term Nephilim to describe him. Goliath challenged the armies of Israel, and only David was brave enough (because he trusted fully in God) to challenge him in battle. Goliath is described this way: “His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels” (1 Samuel 17:5–7). The footnotes in the NIV explain the ancient measurements: Goliath’s height was about 9 feet 9 inches. His bronze coat of armor weighed about 125 pounds, and his spearhead weighed about 15 pounds. Of course, Goliath fell at the hand of David. God is stronger than giants. Second Samuel 21 records the demise of several giant Philistine warriors, all said to be descended from Rapha in Gath. (Since one of the men is Goliath’s brother, we can assume that Goliath is descended from Rapha as well): “Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels [7.5 lbs] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, ‘Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished’” (verses 15–17). In the course of time, in other battles with the Philistines, three more descendants of Rapha were slain: Saph; the brother of Goliath, “who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod”; and “a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all” (verses 18–22). All of these warriors were related to Goliath, but none are called Nephilim. There are a couple of other giants mentioned in Scripture. Og, king of Bashan, was a huge man with a huge bed (Deuteronomy 3:11). One of David’s mighty men, Benaiah, “struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear” ( 1 Chronicles 11:22–23). Although we don’t know how thick a weaver’s rod was, it would have to be sufficiently strong and thick enough to support the stress of weaving, and, from the way it is used in conjunction with giant warriors, we can infer that it must have been quite large. GuinnessWorldRecords.com reports Robert Wadlow, born in 1918, to be the tallest man in modern history. He grew to a height of just over 8 feet 11 inches (“The Tallest Man Ever,” accessed 5/26/20). However, he and many other modern “giants” suffered from health problems that would not make them good “warriors.” More modest giants who are able to play professional sports are a bit smaller but still gigantic compared to the average person. There have been a good many NBA players who have been 7 feet 6 inches tall. There is no shortage of NFL players who stand 6 feet 5 inches or taller and weigh in at over 350 pounds. Professional wrestling has also had a few giants, including Andre the Giant who was 7 feet 4 inches tall and weighed over 500 pounds. It is quite possible that, at an earlier time, there was greater variation within the human gene pool, which could have produced even larger giants than we have among us today. Goliath was very likely not the offspring of humans and angels, and he is never called a Nephilim; however, he was a fierce, gigantic warrior and might have been described, in the parlance of the Philistines or Israelites, as a “modern-day Nephilim.”GotQuestions.org Note that a number of writers consider Goliath a descendant of the Anakim / Anakites?. 1 Samuel 17:5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. BGT 1 Samuel 17:5 καὶ περικεφαλαία ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ θώρακα ἁλυσιδωτὸν αὐτὸς ἐνδεδυκώς καὶ ὁ σταθμὸς τοῦ θώρακος αὐτοῦ πέντε χιλιάδες σίκλων χαλκοῦ καὶ σιδήρου LXE 1 Samuel 17:5 And he had a helmet upon his head, and he wore a breastplate of chain armour; and the weight of his breastplate was five thousand shekels of brass and iron. KJV 1 Samuel 17:5 And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. NET 1 Samuel 17:5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and was wearing scale body armor. The weight of his bronze body armor was five thousand shekels. CSB 1 Samuel 17:5 and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed 125 pounds. ESV 1 Samuel 17:5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. NIV 1 Samuel 17:5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; NLT 1 Samuel 17:5 He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. NRS 1 Samuel 17:5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. NJB 1 Samuel 17:5 On his head was a bronze helmet and he wore a breastplate of scale-armour; the breastplate weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. NAB 1 Samuel 17:5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a bronze corselet of scale armor weighing five thousand shekels, YLT 1 Samuel 17:5 and a helmet of brass is on his head, and with a scaled coat of mail he is clothed, and the weight of the coat of mail is five thousand shekels of brass, clothed, 1Sa 17:38 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BIG GUY WITH "BIG" ARMOR He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze - NLT = "his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds." Literally, “clothed in a shirt of scales,” i.e. a corselet made of metal scales sewn on cloth so as to overlap one another. It was flexible, and protected the back and sides NET NOTE - Although the exact weight of Goliath's defensive body armor is difficult to estimate in terms of modern equivalency, it was obviously quite heavy. Driver, following Kennedy, suggests a modern equivalent of about 220 pounds (100 kg); see S. R. Driver, Notes on the Hebrew Text and the Topography of the Books of Samuel, 139. Klein, taking the shekel to be equal to .403 ounces, arrives at a somewhat smaller weight of about 126 pounds (57 kg); see R. W. Klein, 1 Samuel - BORROW (WBC), 175. But by any estimate it is clear that Goliath presented himself as a formidable foe indeed. NEW MANNERS AND CUSTOMS - Helmets and Cuirasses (Breastplates) He had a bronze (brass, KJV) helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels. In the earliest times helmets were made of osier (willows) or rushes, and were in the form of beehives or skullcaps. The skins of the head of animals were sometimes used. Various other materials were employed at different times. The ancient Egyptian helmet was usually quilted linen cloth. It was thick and well padded, sometimes coming down to the shoulder to protect the back of the neck, and sometimes only a little below the ear. The cloth used was colored green, red, or black. The helmet had no crest, but the summit was often an obtuse point ornamented with two tassels. The Assyrian helmet was a cap of iron terminating above in a point, and sometimes furnished with back flaps that were covered with metal scales to protect the neck. The Philistine helmet, as shown on ancient monuments, was of unique form. From the headband there arose curved lines, by which the outline of the helmet was hollowed on the sides and rounded on top. Goliath’s helmet was doubtless of this shape, and, being made of bronze, must have presented a beautiful appearance. The form of the Hebrew helmets is unknown, but they probably did not vary widely from the Egyptian. As is seen in 1 Samuel 17:38 they were sometimes made of bronze. The helmet is also mentioned in 2 Chronicles 26:14; Jeremiah 46:4; Ezekiel 23:24, 27:10, and 38:5. For protecting the body, the skins of beasts were probably the earliest protection in battle. Felt or quilted linen was later used. The ancient Egyptians had horizontal rows of metal plates well secured by bronze pins. The ancient Assyrians had scales of iron fastened on felt or linen. Iron rings closely locked together were likewise used by different nations. Scales made of small pieces of horn or hoof were also used. Sometimes a very serviceable armor was made of small plates of metal, each having a button and slit, fitting into the corresponding slit and button of the plate next to it. It is believed that Ahab had on armor of this sort when he was slain, and that the “sections of his armor” (joints of the harness, KJV) through which the arrow entered him, were the groves or slits in the metallic plates, or the places between where they did not overlap (1 Kings 22:34, 2 Chronicles 18:33). Goliath’s “coat of mail” in the KJV was scale armor (Hebrew, shiryon kaskassim, armor of scales), as so translated in the NIV: “coat of scale armor.” This kind of armor consisted of metallic scales rounded at the bottom and squared at the top, and sewed on linen or felt. The Philistine corselet covered the chest only. On the bas-relief at Nineveh are seen warriors with coats of scale armor that went to the knees or ankles. In his book, Discoveries in the Ruins of Nineveh and Babylon, written in 1849, H. A. Layard reported discovering a number of the scales used for this armor in one of the ruined palaces. Each scale was of iron two to three inches long, rounded at one end and squared at the other, with a raised or embossed line in the center. Some were inlaid with copper. At a later period, the Assyrian armor was made of smaller scales, which were pointed and ornamented with raised figures, and the coat of mail reached no lower than the waist. In several passages in the KJV shiryon is translated habergeons (coats of armor, NIV) (see 2 Chronicles 26:14 and Nehemiah 4:16). The lorica of the Romans and the thorax of the Greeks—translated breastplate in Ephesians 6:14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8—were scale armor covering the chest and back. 1 Samuel 17:6 He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. BGT 1 Samuel 17:6 καὶ κνημῖδες χαλκαῖ ἐπάνω τῶν σκελῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀσπὶς χαλκῆ ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ὤμων αὐτοῦ LXE 1 Samuel 17:6 And greaves of brass were upon his legs, and a brazen target was between his shoulders. KJV 1 Samuel 17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. NET 1 Samuel 17:6 He had bronze shin guards on his legs, and a bronze javelin was slung over his shoulders. CSB 1 Samuel 17:6 There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze sword was slung between his shoulders. ESV 1 Samuel 17:6 And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. NIV 1 Samuel 17:6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. NLT 1 Samuel 17:6 He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. NRS 1 Samuel 17:6 He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. NJB 1 Samuel 17:6 He had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze scimitar slung across his shoulders. NAB 1 Samuel 17:6 and bronze greaves, and had a bronze scimitar slung from a baldric. YLT 1 Samuel 17:6 and a frontlet of brass is on his feet, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders, bronze javelin, 1Ki 10:16 2Ch 9:15 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Bronze Greaves to Protect Tibia BIG MAN WITH BRONZE GREAVES & JAVELIN He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin (kidon) slung between his shoulders - The javelin was apparently lighter than a spear and could be throw a greater distance. It was carried at the back, ready to be taken in the hand and thrown at the enemy when required. Wikipedia on greave - The primary purpose of greaves is to protect the tibia from attack. The tibia, or shinbone, is very close to the skin, and is therefore extremely vulnerable to just about any kind of attack. Furthermore, a successful attack on the shin results in that leg being rendered useless, greatly hampering one's ability to maneuver in any way.[1] Greaves were used to counteract this. They usually consisted of a metal exterior with an inner padding of felt. The felt padding was particularly important because, without it, any blow would transfer directly from the metal plating to the shin. Javelin (03591)(kidon) means a dart or javelin, but apparently distinct from a spear. Kidon generally represents a javelin (so usually RSV), a light spear that is thrown as opposed to heavier spears or lances used in close combat Kidon - 8v - javelin(8), spear(1). Jos. 8:18; Jos. 8:26; 1 Sam. 17:6; 1 Sam. 17:45; Job 39:23; Job 41:29; Jer. 6:23; Jer. 50:42 McClintock's Encyclopedia - Apparently lighter than the (SPEAR - SEE BELOW), and in more than one passage distinguished from it, was the kidôn (כִּידוֹן), to which the word “javelin” perhaps best answers (Ewald, Wurfspiess). It would be the appropriate weapon for such manœuvering as that described in Josh. 8:14–27, and could with ease be held outstretched for a considerable time (Josh 8:18, 26; A. V. “spear”). When not in action the kidôn was carried on the back of the warrior, between the shoulders (1Sa 17:6, “target,” and in the margin “gorget”). Both in this passage and in 1Sa 17:45 of the same chapter the kidôn is distinguished from the chaníth. In Job 39:23 (“spear”) the allusion seems to be to the quivering of a javelin when poised before hurling it. Gilbrant - Occurring only in the Hebrew Bible, Middle Hebrew and Dead Sea Scrolls, this noun has traditionally been translated "javelin." It is now clear, by virtue of the latter source, that some other implement of war was denoted by the term in intertestamental times. According to The War Scroll from Qumran, an apocalyptic document, the kîdhôn is clearly a weapon differentiated from a spear and a shield (1Sa 17:7). Its length is set at one and one-half cubits (ca. thirty inches), not likely a weapon to be used as a projectile. However, it appears in a simile in Mishnaic Hebrew, comparing Absalom's physique to a kîdhôn (Num. Rabba s.9). The comparison implies thinness. The weapon usually appears in lists in the Hebrew Bible. Only once is there a descriptive detail available (1Sa 17:6). Goliath's weapon was "between his shoulders," i.e., was sheathed or slung. Most swords were sheathed on the left hip; however, longer sword sheaths were placed on the back. Javelins were usually slung over the left shoulder. Locating the weapon "between" the shoulders may be meaningful evidence. There are no contexts in the Hebrew Bible which demand a specific label for this weapon. Joshua extended his kîdhôn as Ai fell (recalling Moses extending his staff at the sea; Josh. 8:18, 26). In Yahweh's response to Job's charge that he had treated Job unjustly, the kîdhôn appears twice in imagery of power. First, Yahweh announces that it is his creative power which bestows the force and lack of fear which the horse possesses in battle, the horse which "does not turn back from the sword; Upon him rattle the quiver, the flashing spear and the kîdhôn" (Job 39:22f). In contrasting the strength of Yahweh to that of humans, Yahweh declares that to this mythical creature of Israel's neighbors "clubs are counted as stubble; he laughs at the rattle of kîdhôn" (41:29). This verse is the last in a catalog of military arms by which the leviathan is not fazed. Finally, the noun appears twice in Jeremiah (Jer. 6:23; 50:42). The noun appears in identical contexts, the prophetic announcement of coming military judgment. However, Babylon is the army coming to judge Judah in Jer 6:23, who lay hold on "bow and kîdhôn," a phrase which lends itself to the idea of "an arrow," especially understanding the thirty-inch measurement of later times. The table is turned in Jer 50:42, as Babylon is judged by the Judge of all the earth, and suffers a similar fate at the hands of the Persians, described identically to the earlier prophecy. (Complete Biblical Library) ISBE - Dart/Javelin Although the dart and javelin look like spears, they were thrown and are generally smaller. A dart is essentially a long arrow and could have feathers to give greater accuracy. The javelin, which did not include feathers, was used at an early date in Mesopotamia (ca 2500 B.C.; cf. AWBL, I, 134f) and probably in Egypt too. Beginning at the end of the 14th cent. B.C. in Egypt, chariots regularly had two long quivers for storing javelins (AWBL, I, 231–34, 240). The RSV usually renders Heb. kîḏôn “javelin” (e.g., Josh. 8:18, 26; 1 S. 17:6, 45). The AV and RSV translate ḥanîṯ as “spear” in the David and Goliath clash (1 S. 17:45), perhaps because it was so much larger than what one would expect for a javelin. The effective range of the javelin was limited. This can be seen in the story of Sinuhe when he fought with the champion of Retjenu, i.e., Syria (cf. ANET, pp. 18–22). Sinuhe kept his distance from the champion and was able to dodge an armful of javelins that were successively thrown at him. Sinuhe drew a single arrow, fired it from the bow and felled the champion. Similarly, David had the advantage of being able to stay out of the effective range of Goliath’s javelin (he apparently did not have a bow) and was able to strike him dead with a sling stone (1 Sa 17:49). 1 Samuel 17:7 describes the shaft of Goliath’s javelin as being like a “weaver’s beam.” Yadin (AWBL, II, 354f) was probably correct that this refers to a leash that would have been looped on the shaft. When hurled it would increase the distance of the missile and would be more accurate due to the spinning motion caused by the leash. In support of this interpretation Yadin pointed to illustrations of strings attached to Aegean javelins that range in date from the Mycenaean period down to the 5th cent. B.C. (AWBL, II, 354f). NEW MANNERS AND CUSTOMS - Greaves and Javelin Greaves were leg armor that was worn below the knees. There are none shown on Egyptian monuments, but they are seen on the Assyrian sculptures. They were of leather, wood, or as in the case of Goliath, of bronze, and were bound by thongs around the calves and above the ankles. The word kidon, rendered target in the KJV, is translated shield (javelin, NIV) in 1 Samuel 17:45 and in Job 39:23 (lance, NIV). It’s translated spear in Joshua 8:18, 26 (javelin, NIV), Job 41:29 (lance, NIV), and Jeremiah 6:23. In Jeremiah 50:42, the KJV translates it lance, and the NIV translates it spears. It was probably a light javelin, which could easily be hurled at an enemy. Some believe it was decorated with a flag, much like the ones shown in period movies that have cavalrymen armed with lances. When not in actual use, the javelin was carried on the back, probably by means of a leather strap. 1 Samuel 17:7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him. BGT 1 Samuel 17:7 καὶ ὁ κοντὸς τοῦ δόρατος αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ μέσακλον ὑφαινόντων καὶ ἡ λόγχη αὐτοῦ ἑξακοσίων σίκλων σιδήρου καὶ ὁ αἴρων τὰ ὅπλα αὐτοῦ προεπορεύετο αὐτοῦ LXE 1 Samuel 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the spear's head was formed of six hundred shekels of iron; and his armour-bearer went before him. KJV 1 Samuel 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. NET 1 Samuel 17:7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer was walking before him. CSB 1 Samuel 17:7 His spear shaft was like a weaver's beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed 15 pounds. In addition, a shield-bearer was walking in front of him. ESV 1 Samuel 17:7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. NIV 1 Samuel 17:7 His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. NLT 1 Samuel 17:7 The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver's beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield. NRS 1 Samuel 17:7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. NJB 1 Samuel 17:7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron. A shield-bearer walked in front of him. NAB 1 Samuel 17:7 The shaft of his javelin was like a weaver's heddle-bar, and its iron head weighed six hundred shekels. His shield-bearer went before him. YLT 1 Samuel 17:7 and the wood of his spear is like a beam of weavers', and the flame of his spear is six hundred shekels of iron, and the bearer of the buckler is going before him. the shaft: 2Sa 21:19 1Ch 11:23 20:5 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Source: What is a Weaver's Beam? A HEAVY WEIGHT SPEAR HEAD The shaft of his spear (chanith) was like a weaver's beam, and the head ("iron point") of his spear weighed six hundred shekels (~15 pounds) of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him - The weaver's beam was stout and heavy (about 17 lb) and was the part of a loom used for holding the threads of the warp apart (see below), The shield would protect his entire body. The point of giving such detail served to emphasize that Goliath was virtually invincible, a message that clearly the fearful Hebrews received! Weaver's beam - In the time period of David and Goliath, the warp weighted loom was typically used to make woven materials. A weavers beam was a strong, long rounded wooden pole used at the top of a loom to hold the warp, or vertical threads. The warp threads were kept taut by means of weights tied to the bottom of them. The weaver’s beam kept the warp threads separated and could be turned to roll up the material as the weaving progressed. With the warp threads taut and in place, filling threads, called the weft, are woven through the warp threads from side to side. This was often done by two women. Weaving was typically done from the top of the loom to the bottom, and the strands of filling thread were beaten upwards. Looms were adapted to the size of the material being made. Based off the looms used in that time period, it would be common for a weaver’s beam to be 2 to 2 1/2" inches thick and more than 5 feet long. (See full article "What is a weaver's beam?") Spear (02595)(chanith) The chaníth (חֲנִית), a “spear” by eminence, and that of the largest kind, as appears from various circumstances attending its mention. It was the weapon of Goliath—its staff like a weaver’s beam, the iron head alone weighing 600 shekels, about twenty-five pounds (1 Sam. 17:7; 45; 2 Sam. 21:19; 1 Chron. 20:5), and also of other giants (2 Sam. 23:21; 1 Chron. 11:23) and mighty warriors (2 Sam. 2:23; 23:18; 1 Chron. 11:11, 20). The chaníth was the habitual companion of king Saul—a fit weapon for one of his gigantic stature—planted at the head of his sleeping-place when on an expedition (1 Sam. 25:7, 8, 11, 12, 16, 22), or held in his hand when mustering his forces (22:6); and on it the dying king is leaning when we catch our last glimpse of his stately figure on the field of Gilboa (2 Sam. 1:6). His fits of anger or madness become even more terrible to us when we find that it was this heavy weapon, and not the lighter “javelin” (as the A. V. renders it), that he cast at David (1 Sam. 18:10, 11; 19:9, 10) and at Jonathan (20:3). A striking idea of the weight and force of this ponderous arm may be gained from the fact that a mere back thrust from the hand of Abner was enough to drive its butt end through the body of Asahel (2 Sam. 2:23). The chanîth is mentioned also in 1 Sam. 13:19, 22; 21:8; 2 Kings 11:10; 1 Chron. 23:9, and in numerous passages of poetry. Gilbrant - This feminine noun, a loanword from Egyptian, means "spear." The Hebrew of the OT uses four words for various kinds of spears. Rōmach (HED #7709) refers to a "spear" that is hurled, particularly emphasizing the iron point of the spear. The rōmach is the largest spear, at least three feet long. Early ancient Near Eastern spears of this type were made of animal bone or horn and were extremely flexible and powerful. Some claim that this spear could pierce the hide of elephants and bulls. Goliath's spear was this type, only larger, its head weighing twenty-five pounds or more (1 Sam.17:7; 2 Sam. 21:16). The spear had a metal point at the butt by which it was stuck into the ground. This smaller end was used by Abner to kill Joab's brother, Asahel (2 Sam. 2:22f). The chănîth was a smaller spear carried by infantry (1 Sam. 13:22). It is associated with the tsinnāh (HED #7065), the "shield" or "buckler" (1 Chr. 12:34). This is the type of spear which Saul hurled at David (1 Sam. 19:9f). By far, the majority of references to "spear" in the OT use the word chănîth. The plural feminine form of the word indicates spear heads, while the word with the masculine ending is simply the common sense of the meaning "spears." The javelin is the kîdhôn, which is a bit heavier. The kîdôn, which means "something is struck with," was the javelin used by Joshua when he stretched out his spear over Ai and conquered it by the command of God (Josh. 8:18ff). The kîdôn is mentioned only twice more in Scripture: in God's monologue (Job 41:29) that reduced such a weapon to insignificance when tried against the great leviathan, and Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the arrival of the vicious Babylonians (Jer. 6:23). (Complete Biblical Library) NEW MANNERS AND CUSTOMS - Spear and Large Shield The spear (Hebrew, chanith) was a heavier weapon than the javelin (Hebrew, kidron). (See 1 Samuel 17:6 Greaves and Javelin.) The word is translated both spear and javelin. It was the chanith with which Saul endeavored to strike David (1 Samuel 18:10–11; 19:9–10), although the KJV translates the word as javelin in both cases. It was also the chanith that he aimed at Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:33). The heavy spear had at its butt end a point by which it could be stuck in the ground. It was in this way that the position of Saul was marked while he lay sleeping in the camp at Hachilah, his spear being his standard (1 Samuel 26:7). The butt end of the spear was almost as formidable as the head. Often riders used it to strike backwards at pursuers, and it was with the butt end (hinder end, KJV) of the spear that Abner killed Asahel (2 Samuel 2:23). The size of Goliath’s chanith is emphasized by the description of the staff and the head—the latter being of iron in contrast to the bronze head of his kidon and the bronze cuirass (see 1 Samuel 17:5 Helmets and Cuirasses (Breastplates) and greaves. The shield (Hebrew, tsinnah) in our text-verse was the largest kind of shield, and was designed to protect the whole body. This shield, as represented on Egyptian monuments, was about five feet high, with a pointed arch at the top and square on the bottom. The great shield of the Assyrians, as shown on their sculptures, was taller, oblong in shape, and sometimes had an inward curve at the top. The large shields were generally made of wicker work or of light wood covered with hides. They were held by a handle of wood or leather fixed to the inside of the shield. In Assyrian sculptures there are illustrations of warriors fighting while men in front of them held the large shields with the bottom resting on the ground, thus forming movable breastworks. The great shields of the Philistines seem to have been of circular shape. The great beauty of Psalm 5:12, “For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield,” is that it is the tsinnah shield that is spoken of here, illustrating that God uses the great shield to protect His people. 1 Samuel 17:8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, "Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. BGT 1 Samuel 17:8 καὶ ἔστη καὶ ἀνεβόησεν εἰς τὴν παράταξιν Ισραηλ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τί ἐκπορεύεσθε παρατάξασθαι πολέμῳ ἐξ ἐναντίας ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐγώ εἰμι ἀλλόφυλος καὶ ὑμεῖς Εβραῖοι τοῦ Σαουλ ἐκλέξασθε ἑαυτοῖς ἄνδρα καὶ καταβήτω πρός με LXE 1 Samuel 17:8 And he stood and cried to the army of Israel, and said to them, Why are ye come forth to set yourselves in battle array against us? Am not I a Philistine, and ye Hebrews of Saul? Choose for yourselves a man, and let him come down to me. KJV 1 Samuel 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. NET 1 Samuel 17:8 Goliath stood and called to Israel's troops, "Why do you come out to prepare for battle? Am I not the Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose for yourselves a man so he may come down to me! CSB 1 Samuel 17:8 He stood and shouted to the Israelite battle formations: "Why do you come out to line up in battle formation?" He asked them, "Am I not a Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. ESV 1 Samuel 17:8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. NIV 1 Samuel 17:8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. NLT 1 Samuel 17:8 Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. "Why are you all coming out to fight?" he called. "I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! NRS 1 Samuel 17:8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. NJB 1 Samuel 17:8 Taking position in front of the Israelite lines, he shouted, 'Why have you come out to range yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine and are you not Saul's lackeys? Choose a man and let him come down to me. NAB 1 Samuel 17:8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel: "Why come out in battle formation? I am a Philistine, and you are Saul's servants. Choose one of your men, and have him come down to me. YLT 1 Samuel 17:8 And he standeth and calleth unto the ranks of Israel, and saith to them, 'Why are ye come out to set in array the battle? am not I the Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose for you a man, and let him come down unto me; servants to Saul: 1Sa 17:26 8:17 2Sa 11:11 1Ch 21:3 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOLIATH GIANT CHALLENGE: "MANO A MANO"! Mano a mano usually refers to a conflict between two people and directly translates from Spanish to "hand to hand." However, it is sometimes confused with man-to-man, which refers to a frank conversation usually between two men or a one-on-one defensive play. Goliath is calling not for frank conversation, but full confrontation! He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them - Now that the Spirit has given us considerable detail regarding the impressive presentation of this well armed giant, he now unleashes a loud (giant voice) barrage of challenges. "Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me - Goliath, as representative of the Philistine nation, is issuing the challenge to the Hebrews to send a man to take him on, instead of taking up battle stations for a full fledge battle. His phrase servants of Saul is likely spoken with a touch of sarcasm. 1 Samuel 17:9 "If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us." BGT 1 Samuel 17:9 καὶ ἐὰν δυνηθῇ πρὸς ἐμὲ πολεμῆσαι καὶ ἐὰν πατάξῃ με καὶ ἐσόμεθα ὑμῖν εἰς δούλους ἐὰν δὲ ἐγὼ δυνηθῶ καὶ πατάξω αὐτόν ἔσεσθε ἡμῖν εἰς δούλους καὶ δουλεύσετε ἡμῖν LXE 1 Samuel 17:9 And if he shall be able to fight against me, and shall smite me, then will we be your servants: but if I should prevail and smite him, ye shall be our servants, and serve us. KJV 1 Samuel 17:9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. NET 1 Samuel 17:9 If he is able to fight with me and strike me down, we will become your servants. But if I prevail against him and strike him down, you will become our servants and will serve us." CSB 1 Samuel 17:9 If he wins in a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us." ESV 1 Samuel 17:9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." NIV 1 Samuel 17:9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." NLT 1 Samuel 17:9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! NRS 1 Samuel 17:9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." NJB 1 Samuel 17:9 If he can fight it out with me and kill me, we will be your servants; but if I can beat him and kill him, you become our servants and serve us.' NAB 1 Samuel 17:9 If he beats me in combat and kills me, we will be your vassals; but if I beat him and kill him, you shall be our vassals and serve us." YLT 1 Samuel 17:9 if he be able to fight with me, and have smitten me, then we have been to you for servants; and if I am able for him, and have smitten him, then ye have been to us for servants, and have served us.' serve us: 1Sa 11:1 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOLIATH'S MOTIVATION TO TAKE HIS CHALLENGE If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us - Goliath says the "prize" for the victor in the "mano a mano" fight will be that the losers become the slaves of the winners! As we see later, he is lying and the Philistines have no intention of keeping his promise! This reminds me of our adversary the devil who Jesus said "does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (Jn 8:44) Goliath's spiritual father (as well as the Philistines') was the father of lies! 1 Samuel 17:10 Again the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together." BGT 1 Samuel 17:10 καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἀλλόφυλος ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ὠνείδισα τὴν παράταξιν Ισραηλ σήμερον ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ δότε μοι ἄνδρα καὶ μονομαχήσομεν ἀμφότεροι LXE 1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, Behold, I have defied the armies of Israel this very day: give me a man, and we will both of us fight in single combat. KJV 1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. NET 1 Samuel 17:10 Then the Philistine said, "I defy Israel's troops this day! Give me a man so we can fight each other!" CSB 1 Samuel 17:10 Then the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!" ESV 1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together." NIV 1 Samuel 17:10 Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." NLT 1 Samuel 17:10 I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!" NRS 1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, "Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight together." NJB 1 Samuel 17:10 The Philistine then said, 'I challenge the ranks of Israel today. Give me a man and we will fight it out!' NAB 1 Samuel 17:10 The Philistine continued: "I defy the ranks of Israel today. Give me a man and let us fight together." YLT 1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine saith, 'I have reproached the ranks of Israel this day; give to me a man, and we fight together.' I defy: 1Sa 17:25,26,36,45 Nu 23:7,8 2Sa 21:21 23:9 Ne 2:19 give me: Job 40:9-12 Ps 9:4,5 Pr 16:18 Jer 9:23 Da 4:37 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOLIATH'S DEFIANCE EXCALATES Again the Philistine said, "I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together - Goliath's defiant challenge went on for 40 days (v16). Hebrew, “I have cast scorn or insult upon the ranks of Israel this day.” The sense is not so much that he defied them as that they were dishonoured by not accepting his challenge. Smith - The challenge turned into a taunt. I [emphatic] defy (חָרַף, ḥāraph), i.e., “reproach,” “scorn,” or “hurl insults at.” The Hebrew uses an intensive form of the verb. The sense is that the ranks of Israel were dishonored for not accepting his challenge. Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified by this intimidation. (Ibid) Dave Roper: Israel bad been stripped of its manhood. There was not a man among them. You can imagine how these words of Goliath must have stung them; "You are servants of Saul, and he's no man at all! Send me a man, any man will do, just send me a man!" But there was not one man among them. That is what giants do to us. They take away our sense of manhood and womanhood. We know that we were not destined to live oppressed in this way, but we have no freedom to change. We are tyrannized, stripped of our strength and power. That is what had happened to Israel, and it is what happens to us. And note that the issue is: master, or be mastered. There is no middle ground. You cannot make peace with a giant. There may be a standoff for a while, but it cannot endure. It is either serve or be served; there can be no truce. (1 Samuel 17:1-49 David and Goliath) 1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. BGT 1 Samuel 17:11 καὶ ἤκουσεν Σαουλ καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ ἀλλοφύλου ταῦτα καὶ ἐξέστησαν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα LXE 1 Samuel 17:11 And Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, and they were dismayed, and greatly terrified. KJV 1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. NET 1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all the Israelites heard these words of the Philistine, they were upset and very afraid. CSB 1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified. ESV 1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. NIV 1 Samuel 17:11 On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. NLT 1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken. NRS 1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. NJB 1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard what the Philistine said, they were dismayed and terrified. NAB 1 Samuel 17:11 Saul and all the men of Israel, when they heard this challenge of the Philistine, were dismayed and terror-stricken. YLT 1 Samuel 17:11 And Saul heareth -- and all Israel -- these words of the Philistine, and they are broken down and greatly afraid. dismayed: De 31:8 Jos 1:9 Ps 27:1 Pr 28:1 Isa 51:12,13 57:11 1 Samuel 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FEAR IN THE RANKS OF SAUL'S FORCES When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid (yare; Lxx = phobeo) - Dismayed in the Septuagint is existemi which means literally to remove something from a place, alter, change and figuratively in the NT, as causing someone to be amazed beyond comprehension, thus astonished, astounded, besides one's self. Any way you translate the Hebrew it is a pretty sad picture for the armies of the Living God. Knowing how dismay and fear can affect our actions (or failure to take action) God had encouraged Israel with His words in (Dt 31:8 Jos 1:9 Ps 27:1 Pr 28:1 Isa 51:12,13) None of the Hebrews accepted the challenge for they lost courage and were "terror-stricken." What is sad is there is no record of Israel seeking the help of their Great God (aka "praying to Jehovah"), no record of anyone sending for Samuel, etc. How quickly they had forgotten a previous battle with the Philistines in 1 Samuel 7:3-11+, where the people confessed and repented and Samuel had prayed and sacrificed and Yahweh had fought for Israel and defeated the Philistine army. THOUGHT - When we encounter in a new spiritual battle (and the world, the flesh and the devil are continually attacking us!), it is easy to forget the previous deliverances of the LORD, times when He won the victory for us. Lord keep us humble, mindful, grateful and prayerful when the Goliaths come at us in our lives, and do it for the honor of Thy great Name. In the Name of our Captain of the Hosts, Yeshua. Amen. In any contest, it’s always useful to demoralize your opponent, and strike fear in their heart. (so we must remember 2Ti1:7). First, it may keep you from ever going to battle with them, because they are so afraid. Second, if it does come to battle, they will fight with fear and apprehension, and so with your words, you’ve done a lot to win the battle before it even begins! This, of course, is a significant strategy of the devil against us. We don’t battle against flesh and blood enemies like Goliath, but we have our “spiritual Giants” to battle against. The "spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places" have a great interest in making you dismayed and greatly afraid before the battle ever begins. Saul had special reason to be afraid. Goliath was the giant among the Philistines, and Saul was head and shoulder taller than other Israelite men (1Sa 9:2). Saul was the logical choice to square off against Goliath, and we can expect he knew others were expecting him to fight Goliath (recall Israel's desire declared in 1Sa 8:20 "that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”). At one time, he was known as a fierce and successful military leader (1Sa 14:52). But that was (apparently) before the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul (1Sa 16:14). As the Spirit of the Lord left Saul, so did his courage. It shouldn’t surprise us that David a man filled with the Spirit of the Lord will have the courage to fight Goliath. Matthew