Skip to main content

David and Goliath

Illustration of David and Goliath
Era
United Kingdom
Date
c. 1025 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
1 Samuel 17:40-51
A shepherd boy. A nine-foot giant. And a battle that proved God doesn't need armies to win.

During the conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, the giant warrior Goliath challenged the Israelite army to single combat, intimidating them for forty days. The young shepherd David, sent to bring supplies to his brothers, volunteered to fight Goliath, relying on his faith in God rather than armor or weapons. Armed only with a sling and five stones, David struck Goliath in the forehead, felling him, and then used the giant's own sword to behead him, leading to a victory for Israel. This event highlights the biblical theme that God uses the weak and faithful to overcome the strong, marking the beginning of David's rise to prominence and eventual kingship as described in the books of Samuel.

0:00

Did You Know?

1

The young shepherd David, sent to bring supplies to his brothers, volunteered to fight Goliath, relying on his faith in God rather than armor or weapons.

2

Armed only with a sling and five stones, David struck Goliath in the forehead, felling him, and then used the giant's own sword to behead him, leading to a victory for Israel.

3

This event is dated to approximately c. 1025 BC in biblical chronology.

Key Passage

David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17:40-51

A40nd he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherdโ€™s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORDโ€™s, and he will give you into our hands. 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Read full chapter: 1 Samuel 17 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Egypt is in decline (Third Intermediate Period). Phoenicia dominates Mediterranean trade. The Greek Dark Age continues. Assyria is rising in Mesopotamia. Homer may be composing the Iliad and Odyssey. This is the era of the great Phoenician alphabet spreading.

When: c. 1050 - 930 BC

Key Civilizations: Phoenicia, Early Assyria