David and Goliath

The words

1. Armour

   Saul puts his armor on David, but David removes it, saying he has not tested the equipment and cannot go in it.

   1 Samuel 17:38–39 (opens a new tab)

2. Champion

   A fighter representing his army.

   Goliath proposes a fight to the death between himself and one Israelite, with the defeated side serving the victor.

   1 Samuel 17:4; 1 Samuel 17:8–9 (opens a new tab)

3. Coat of Mail

   Goliath’s scale armor, in the NET Bible.

   The KJV gives both Goliath and David a coat of mail: Goliath arrives wearing one, while David briefly tries on Saul’s.

   1 Samuel 17:5 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 17:38–39 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Samuel 17:5 (opens a new tab)

4. David

   David tells Saul he has killed a lion and bear while guarding his father’s sheep; he then chooses a sling and brook stones to face Goliath.

   1 Samuel 17:34–37 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 17:40 (opens a new tab)

5. Defy

   To challenge to combat.

   Goliath says he defies Israel’s armies and demands a man to fight him; David later describes the challenge as defying the living God’s armies.

   1 Samuel 17:10 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 17:26 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: defy (opens a new tab)

6. Elah

   Saul’s army camps by the valley of Elah, with the Philistines on one mountain and Israel on another, the valley between them.

   1 Samuel 17:2–3 (opens a new tab)

7. Gath

   The narrator identifies Goliath as coming from Gath when he first steps out from the Philistine camp to issue his challenge.

   1 Samuel 17:4; 1 Samuel 17:8–10 (opens a new tab)

8. Goliath

   The KJV describes David striking Goliath with a stone, then taking his sword and cutting off his head; the Philistines flee.

   1 Samuel 17:49–51 (opens a new tab)

9. Helmet

   Goliath wears a brass helmet in the KJV’s description; Saul later puts a brass helmet on David before David removes the borrowed equipment.

   1 Samuel 17:5 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 17:38–39 (opens a new tab)

10. Jesse

    Jesse sends David with roasted grain and ten loaves for his brothers, plus ten cheeses for their commander, bringing him to the battle camp.

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    When David leaves, the narrator notes that he entrusts the sheep to a keeper before going to the camp.

    1 Samuel 17:17–20 (opens a new tab)

11. Shield

    Another man walks in front of Goliath carrying his shield; David says he faces Goliath in the name of the LORD of hosts.

    1 Samuel 17:7 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 17:41; 1 Samuel 17:45 (opens a new tab)

12. Six Cubits

    A cubit is about 18 inches (45 cm), in the ESV note.

    The KJV gives Goliath six cubits and a span; the NET note records an ancient reading of four cubits and a span.

    1 Samuel 17:4 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 1 Samuel 17:4-6 (opens a new tab) · ESV Bible: 1 Samuel 17:4 (opens a new tab)

13. Sling

    A weapon for throwing stones.

    David approaches with a sling and five brook stones; the narrator later credits the sling and a stone with killing Goliath.

    1 Samuel 17:40 (opens a new tab) · 1 Samuel 17:49–50 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: sling (opens a new tab)

14. Stone

    David casts a stone that strikes Goliath’s forehead and makes him fall face-down; the account then describes David taking Goliath’s sword.

    1 Samuel 17:49–51 (opens a new tab)

15. Uncircumcised

    David calls the challenger an “uncircumcised Philistine” while asking why he defies the armies of the living God.

    1 Samuel 17:26 (opens a new tab)