Goliath
The Philistine giant of Gath, over nine feet tall, killed by the young David with a sling and a stone.
What we know — and how we know it
Ori~ — Attribution (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyExcavations at Gath (Tell es-Safi) have uncovered a 10th-century BC potsherd inscribed with two names etymologically close to 'Goliath' — Philistine names of just that kind, at just that place.
Where in scripture
1 Samuel2 Samuel1 ChroniclesA champion out of the camp of the Philistines named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span went out.
1 Samuel 17:4 — The champion of Gath
As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and said the same words; and David heard them.
1 Samuel 17:23
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine, and killed him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
1 Samuel 17:50 — Felled by a stone
The priest said, “Behold, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you would like to take that, take it; for there is no other except that here.” David said, “There is none like that. Give it to me.”
1 Samuel 21:9
He inquired of Yahweh for him, gave him food, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
1 Samuel 22:10
There was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite’s brother, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
2 Samuel 21:19
Again there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
1 Chronicles 20:5
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 2 recorded sayings
“He took up his position and in a loud voice said to the armies of Israel, Why have you come out to make war? Am I not a Philistine and you servants of Saul? Send out a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to have a fight with me and overcome me, then we will be your servants: but if I am able to overcome him, then you will be our servants and do work for us. And the Philistine said, I have put to shame the armies of Israel this day; give me a man so that we may have a fight together.” — 1 Samuel 17:8-10
“And the Philistine said to David, Am I a dog, that you come out to me with sticks? And the Philistine put curses on David by all his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come here to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.” — 1 Samuel 17:43-44
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Events
In art
