Goliath: Great.1. A famous giant of Gath, who for forty days openly defied the
armies of Israel, but was at length slain by David with a stone
from a sling
(1 Samuel 17:4) He was probably descended from the
Rephaim who found refuge among the Philistines after they were
dispersed by the Ammonites
(Deuteronomy 2:20,21) His height was "six
cubits and a span," which, taking the cubit at 21 inches, is
equal to 10 1/4 feet. David cut off his head
(1 Samuel 17:51) and
brought it to Jerusalem, while he hung the armour which he took
from him in his tent. His sword was preserved at Nob as a
religious trophy
(1 Samuel 21:9) David's victory over Goliath was the
turning point in his life. He came into public notice now as the
deliverer of Israel and the chief among Saul's men of war
(1 Samuel 18:5) and the devoted friend of Jonathan.
2. In
(2 Samuel 21:19) there is another giant of the same name mentioned
as slain by Elhanan. The staff of his apear "was like a weaver's
beam." The Authorized Version interpolates the words "the
brother of" from
(1 Chronicles 20:5) where this giant is called Lahmi.