Goliath
maleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Splendour; exile”
The Philistine giant of Gath, nearly ten feet tall, who defied the armies of Israel for forty days and was felled by the shepherd boy David with a sling and a stone.
Biography
Goliath of Gath was the Philistine champion whose defeat by the young David became the Bible's most famous picture of faith triumphing over brute power. He stood "six cubits and a span" — nearly ten feet — and wore armor of staggering weight (1 Samuel 17:4–7).
The defiance
For forty days Goliath came out morning and evening to taunt the armies of Israel, challenging any man to single combat: "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together" (1 Samuel 17:10). Saul and all Israel were "dismayed, and greatly afraid."
The fall
The shepherd David, refusing armor, came against him "in the name of the LORD of hosts," declaring, "the battle is the LORD's" (1 Samuel 17:45–47). A single stone from his sling sank into Goliath's forehead, and David killed the giant with his own sword. His fall routed the Philistines and launched David toward the throne.
Life Timeline
Defies the armies of Israel for forty days
Killed by David with a sling and a stone
On the Bible timeline
Goliath belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).
- c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges
Themes & lessons from Goliath
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Goliath appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Things in their story
Scripture Appearances
6 verses in 3 books1 Samuel4 verses
1 Samuel 17:4
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
1 Samuel 17:23
And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
1 Samuel 21:9
And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
1 Samuel 22:10
And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
2 Samuel1 verse
2 Samuel 21:19
And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. Jaareoregim: or, Jair
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 20:5
And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam. Jair: called also, Iaare-ore-gim.2.Sam.21.19
Frequently asked about Goliath
Who was Goliath in the Bible?
The Philistine giant of Gath, nearly ten feet tall, who defied the armies of Israel for forty days and was felled by the shepherd boy David with a sling and a stone.
What does the name Goliath mean?
The name Goliath means “Splendour; exile”.
What did Goliath do in the Bible?
Goliath served as philistine champion.
Where does Goliath appear in the Bible?
Goliath is mentioned 6 times across 3 books: 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Goliath?
The story of Goliath touches on themes of armies, betrayal, goliath, nob — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Goliath's life.
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