Most people have heard of the Biblical account of David the young shepherd who defeats the mighty Goliath with only a slingshot. Who was Goliath?
According to the Bible (1 Samuel 17), David, a young Israelite teenager, defeated the giant Philistine warrior with a slingshot and a smooth stone. After David aimed true at Goliath’s forehead, he beheaded the enemy of Israel when the rest of the Israelite army cowered in fear.
But where did Goliath come from? Where does he fit in the historical narrative of Israel and of world history? And was he really as tall as our Sunday school teachers made him out to be?
Israel encounters a number of enemies throughout the Old and New Testament, but the Philistines seem to dot the narrative far more than once.
These descendants of Noah (Genesis 10:14) have some possible links to the Sea Peoples who wreaked havoc and war at the end of the Bronze Age. Read more about them in our last post.
How Tall Was Goliath?
1 Samuel 1:4 describes Goliath as “a champion…from Gath” whose “height was six cubits and a span.” Depending on how one interprets the “cubits,” Goliath’s height could’ve ranged from 6’0” to 9’6”. Whether Goliath came from Philistia or not, this still brings up the question of whether a person could grow taller than nine feet. The tallest man in modern history, Robert Wadlow stood at 8’11”.
Of course, we have to exercise caution around this interpretation. Some have found this interpretation from an extra-biblical text known as the Book of Enoch. Because the Book of Enoch did not make it into the Old Testament canon, we take it as the word of man, and not of God, and therefore, read it with extreme discernment.
Another race of giants mentioned in the Bible was the Anakim (who may or may not have connections with the Nephilim). These giants (Deuteronomy 2:10) met Israel at Jericho. And some scholars speculate that the Philistines came from the Anakim.
One article from Telling Ministries suggests the Philistines might have hired Goliath as a mercenary for their army due to his giant size.
Whether Goliath received his giant height via supernatural or simply hereditary genes, he still seems to tower over all of Israel.
From a historical standpoint, if we know that the Philistines were fierce warriors and that Goliath was a champion and a very large man, then we can see why the Israelites were so intimidated by them – except David.
Goliath openly and repeatedly defied God and challenged ones of God’s chosen people to fight him. When young David heard this, he asked the king of Israel if he could fight the giant himself. In 1 Samuel 17:36-37, we see David remembering when God protected him before against a lion and a bear, and he trusted God to protect him now against Goliath.
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:46-47).
A young man put his confidence in God and defeated the giant. This biblical account attests to God’s power and strength over one’s enemies, even in the face of insurmountable odds.
This familiar scripture reminds us of the courage in men’s hearts when their faith is placed completely in God. Goliath taunts David, but David’s faith becomes evident when he does not cower under the threats, but instead warns Goliath with the hand of God. The armor David rejected represents the strength of man, David chose the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17)
As Christians who have trusted Christ as the only way to heaven (John 14:6), our battle with the giants in our lives will result in victory if we cling by faith to God and His power. The illustration of David and Goliath is only one of many examples of the supernatural power of our Lord. He cares deeply for His children and wants only our best. Sometimes that involves trials and battles, but these are ultimately for our good and His glory. James tells us to consider it pure joy when we encounter trials because they test our faith and develop patience and perseverance (James 1:2-4). When we are tested by these trials, we can, in the power of the Lord, stand up against any giant, trusting our Savior to win the victory.
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