"The Story of David and Goliath" 1 Samuel 17 by Dr. Terry Harman

"Goliath from Gath" created by Hector Marin and Terry Harman, photo by Terry Harman © 2010.

Size Intimidates

The story of David and Goliath. We've all heard the saying, "The bigger they are the harder they fall." "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Right. These axioms do not reassure us much when we are in the thick of the battle. Shouting these sayings will not make the problem go away. Sometimes the enemy of our soul is like a roaring lion and resistantly stands there like Goliath clad in all his armor gleefully mocking our faith and any spiritual progress we have made. In those moments, we can turn and run or we can stand firm and be like David and attack the problem head-on (no pun intended).

Attacking or facing our Goliaths in our natural strength will not suffice. Have you ever wondered just how large Goliath was? David was most like fifteen years old when he crossed the battle line to engage Goliath in mortal combat. Goliath was a trained warrior. David is a lowly shepherd. Goliath is known for destroying everyone who challenges him in battle. His size is intimidating. His armor is designed to prevent injury. One swing of his sword and your head is severed from your shoulders. One thrust of his sword to your stomach and your guts will lie before you.

The Height, Weight, and Size of Goliath's Armor (1 and 2)

And there went out a champion from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. And he had a helmet of brass [copper] upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass [copper]. And he had greaves of brass [copper] upon his legs, and a javelin of brass [copper] between his shoulders. And 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. 1 Samuel 17:4-7 JPS 1917

Goliath – Body and Armor Calculations

Height 9 foot 9 inches tall

Weight approximately 548 lbs. 

Armor 103 to 156 lbs.

Helmet 15 lbs.

Javelin made of copper 15 lbs.

Spear 14 feet long, Iron spearhead 12 to 18 pounds, total weight of spear 37 lbs.

Shield 4 feet diameter, weight unknown

Sword 4 feet long, weight unknown

Greaves 7.5 lbs. each, 15 lbs. total

Sandals possible size 22 to 25

Total weight of all the weapons – 210 to 248 lbs.

Total body weight Goliath and his armor - 758 to 811 lbs.

Why the 40-Day Delay?

Why was King Saul reluctant to engage in battle with the Philistines? Why was there a forty-day and night delay in the battle? Each morning and evening Goliath came out to taunt the army of Saul. Each day that passed brought more fear to the Israelite Army. The longer the Israelites delayed the more doubtful the victory became. The destruction grew in the battlefield of the psyche of the soldiers of the Lord. Both sides had drawn their battlelines.

The Philistines were relaxed and unafraid because they had their secret weapon - Goliath, the undefeated champion of the world. Saul's army was on one hill and the Philistine army was on the opposite hill. All that separated the two armies was a valley and a creekbed.

"The Battlefield of David and Goliath" model and photo by Terry Harman © 2016.

3 Battle Strategies - Saul, Goliath, and David

The powerful King Saul, the undefeated Goliath, and the young Shepherd boy named David, all had a battle strategy in mind. Two strategies failed that day. One unlikely strategy saved the day and caused the Philistines to flee.

David stayed true to his assignment from his father. Even though danger would meet him along the way, he did not back down or run from his assignment. He stayed true to his father’s wishes. How did David win the battle that day? Verses 41, 47, and 48 compare David’s winning strategy against the failed strategies of others.

Saul’s Strategy

The Israelite army under the command of King Saul stood that day trusting in their human strength, past victories, and military tactics. After all, they were the soldiers of Saul. The outcome? At first sight of Goliath the Israelites were filled with fear and hid! The power of the king would not bring victory.

Goliath’s Strategy

Goliath stood upon his prideful reputation (v. 41) as an unbeaten warrior, second to none, whose mere size brought fear into the hearts of Philistines and Israelites alike. Goliath employed two primary tactics. First, and foremost his enduring reputation. Second, the continual display of his irreverence toward the God of Israel every morning and evening. He planned to interrupt the morning and evening prayers of the people of God. Goliath was a soldier of reputation. The outcome? Goliath was taken down and died by his sword (v. 48). The Army of the Undefeated would not bring victory. The might of Goliath would not bring victory.

David’s Strategy

David, the shepherd boy, was not a soldier of Saul nor a soldier of reputation. David was a “soldier of the Lord” (v. 47). His tactic? David trusted the Lord for his victory that day. He became emboldened by the Lord and used the basic skills he learned to protect his father’s sheep. The outcome? This young stoner became a national hero. The spirit of the Lord would bring victory!

"Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

Zechariah 4:7 JPS 1917

“No weapon formed against you shall succeed. And every tongue that contends with you at law you shall defeat. Such is the lot of the servants of the Lord.

Such their triumph through Me – declares the Lord.”

Isaiah 54:17 JPS 1917

David may have come to a sword fight with a rock. David may have stepped up with a sling and a rock, but he left with a sword! David had a battle thrust upon him without notice or preparation. But he left this valley of darkness with a life lesson, a story of praise, and a testimony of God’s deliverance.

Conclusion

Don't let your enemy choose the terms of your battle. Guard against trusting in the strength of someone else's armor. Don't become arrogant and "big-headed" like Goliath. Reuse the skills the Lord taught you in previous struggles. The battle is not your alone. Trust in the Lord and His word. WHen you do not know what else to do - Stand firm!

References

(1) In 2010 I began the project of designing and sculpting a full-size teaching prop of Goliath. He has become a big hit with Sunday School children. The adults like him too! In the process of designing the sandals, sword, javelin, spear, shield, and helmet, I had to use the details given in 1 Samuel 17:4-7 and then extrapolate what the size and weight would be for the unknown weapons. My teaching prop beefs up the muscles of Goliath to make him more intimidating. But the height is in keeping with the biblical dimensions of a standard cubit of eighteen inches. I realize some would argue for a cubit of nineteen to twenty-one inches. I chose to with the common understanding.

(2) I acknowledge that all English translations state that Goliath's armor was made of either brass or bronze. I chose to use copper in the creation of the armor because the Hebrew word translated in English as brass or bronze is the word "nechoshet" which means"copper." The same word is used in connection with the altar of burnt sacrifice, the laver, and the serpent Moses attached to a pole.