And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. 1 Samuel 17:5-7
Today's post has the kind of information that boys especially like. This comes from my collection of things I'd use when I needed to get the attention of the 11 year old Blazer B class. I think it is fun to know these little tidbits.
"Goliath was armed to the max! Notice that the “coat of mail” he wore weighed “five thousand shekels of brass.” Remember, five thousand shekels of brass is the equivalent of 125 pounds! In addition to this helmet and this breastplate that weighed 125 pounds, he had greaves (shin guards) of brass and a target of brass between his shoulders! The staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam — which means the long staff of his spear weighed at least 17 pounds.
Additionally, the scripture specifically says that the spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron — which is the equivalent of 16 pounds. One scholar has speculated that the weight of all of these pieces of weaponry together — his helmet, breastplate, greaves, target of brass, spear, and shield — may have weighed in excess of 700 pounds!"
(Sorry, I didn't record the reference for this.)
It's interesting how "heavy" Goliath was with all of his man-made armor. And David was "light" in his armor, having only a sling and great faith in God.
ReplyDeleteThis certainly shows that when we put our trust in the solutions/armor of man and in things of the world that we become "heavy" and "weighed down", as with sin:
Psalm 38:4 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
And when we hand our burdens and battles over to the Lord, through repentance and letting go of our natural man, we feel "lighter":
Matt 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Additionally, on top of feeling lighter, we GAIN "light" that can be shared with those around us:
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
David was a perfect example of this concept of trusting in the Lord and His plan, and he was light, was filled with light, and his light shone before his fellow men as they celebrated the victory over their common enemy.
Goliath was bringing a knife to a gun fight. The only weapon Goliath had that might kill was a spear. A slinger could kill a man at 100 yards, even with armor on. David had five rounds or stones and more if he went back to the brook. Goliath never stood a chance.
DeleteJennifer O
DeleteI like your comment. God bless you.
Agreed Goliath was bringing a knife to a gunfight but that was not to his advantage as much as being called by God
DeleteA 20 pound knife
DeleteGoliath had a sword as well, because David cut off his head with it
DeleteRead 1st Sam 17: 45,46
DeleteOne more that ties it all together:
ReplyDeleteRomans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
I love those thoughts, Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteApril
DeleteMe too
To me there are quite a few "flakes of fire" in the contest between David and Goliath. Here are just a few I've discovered.
ReplyDeleteFirst, Goliath (splendor in Hebrew. As in the splendor of the world) of Gath (winepress, and all that implies) symbolically represented death, or servitude, and Satan to the Israelites, and continually defied Israel. All of Israel were "dismayed and greatly afraid." Except for David (beloved in Hebrew, symbolic of God's beloved Son).
Second, Goliath was six cubits (and a span) high and his spear weighed six hundred shekels of Iron. Six being respresentative of mortal man, imperfection and death.
Third, David, the beloved, kills Goliath with five smooth stones. Five being symbolic of the planet Venus, the bright and morning star, or Christ. The stone which slew Goliath also being symbolic of Christ, the Stone of Israel.
Finally, the stone kills Goliath in the forehead, symbolic of Christ crushing Satan's head and acheiving the final victory over the serpent or death (Genesis 3:15). There are probably many more "flakes" remaining to be discoverd in this story regarding David and Goliath.
To add to Steven's post, David may also have carried those five stones for grace (see Bullinger, "Number in Scripture" but also because Goliath had four brothers. David may have been prepared to take on the whole family!
ReplyDeleteTruly David's faith was great. What we can do when we join with God!
Do we know how much that would cost?
ReplyDeleteGood insights, Steven/Anon!
ReplyDeleteNot directly related, but while we're on this topic - I find it interesting that Saul was a "whole head" taller than everyone else (1 Samuel 9:2), probably making him a closer match for Goliath in size, yet he allowed a young boy to fight his battle for him when it was the King's duty! This shows even greater character and faith on the part of David!
awesome revelation from all above!!! wow!
ReplyDeleteThis is going toward my Sunday message. Glad to see even though we are silent we are many.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting thought (for those young boys who like the gory details): 1 Samuel 17:54 says, "David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent." At this point of David's life, he would not enter Jerusalem for approximately another 20 Years
ReplyDeleteThe traditional view that David was the underdog doesn't add up. A slinger could hit a target effectively 200 yards away and there were very accurate according to Judges 20;6.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all the insightful input. Although not my first time learning about David and his battle with Goliath, it is my first time going through the book of Samuel. Everyone’s comments made me see a little more into David.
ReplyDeleteif a slinger had such an advantage, where were all of them, everyone except David was terrified of Goliath. its because David was the under dog. with what Saul had offered to who ever killed the giant, if it was so easy for just any slinger. where were they?
ReplyDeleteFirst did you know Goliath had four brothers possible David chose five stones for all the giants that were there. The interesting fact is David’s reign came to completion shortly after the last of Goliaths brothers were killed. Also David gives us a hint in his conversation with Saul when trying on the armor. He said I have not proven this meaning he could barely walk in it. When he told Saul about him killing the lion and the bear he stated that he ran after it. When he approached Goliath and as he threw the stone he was running straight for him and did not stop until he reached him to cut off his head. He did not stop for the shield bearer he was laser focused knowing that God would grant him victory.
ReplyDeleteTo the comment that David with his sling had the advantage:1 Samuel 17:6 mentions that Goliath also had a javelin verse 7 mentions he also had a spear .it seems that Goliath had both a sword:1 Samuel 17:50 and a javelin and a spear.
ReplyDelete1 Samuel 17: 45 David said you come to me with a sword, with a spear and with a javelin. We do know that they are distinct fighting weapons. The sword for close quarter battle and the javelin for long range fighting. The javelin and the spear would have been the great equaliser to David's sling. A more potent equaliser in my view. We see that Saul tried to hand David his sword: 1 Samuel 17: 39. We also know from a latter incidence that Saul also had a spear: 1 Samuel 19:10. I highlight the latter to show that it would not have been unusual for a fighting man to have more than one fighting weapon, for example today, a soldier would go into battle with a long range gun, a pistol and a knife. Goliath had the advantage in the natural The great equaliser was God. 1 Samuel 17:45- I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts. David ran towards Goliath possibly to catch him by surprise: 1 Samuel 17:48.Goliath had little or no time to respond. The element of surprise is a big part of winning the battle.