and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels, He had a bronze helmet on his headThe mention of a "bronze helmet" signifies the advanced military technology and craftsmanship of the Philistines. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was a significant material in ancient warfare, offering durability and protection. The helmet symbolizes not only physical protection but also the might and intimidation of Goliath. In a spiritual sense, the helmet can be seen as a metaphor for the protection of the mind, a theme echoed in Ephesians 6:17, where believers are encouraged to take the "helmet of salvation." and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze
The "coat of scale armor" is indicative of the Philistine's advanced military equipment. Scale armor, made of overlapping metal plates, provided flexibility and protection, resembling the scales of a fish. This imagery can be seen as a representation of Goliath's formidable and seemingly impenetrable defense. Spiritually, it reminds believers of the need for the "armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand against spiritual adversaries. The use of bronze again highlights the wealth and power of the Philistine army, contrasting with the humble shepherd's garb of David. weighing five thousand shekels
The weight of "five thousand shekels" (approximately 125 pounds or 57 kilograms) emphasizes the sheer size and strength of Goliath. This detail serves to magnify the challenge faced by David, underscoring the miraculous nature of his victory. Historically, this weight would have been daunting, suggesting that Goliath was not only a giant in stature but also in strength. Theologically, this can be seen as a reminder that God often uses the weak to confound the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27), highlighting His power and sovereignty in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Persons / Places / Events 1. GoliathA Philistine giant from Gath, known for his immense size and strength. He is the central antagonist in the account of David and Goliath, challenging the Israelites to send a champion to fight him. 2. PhilistinesAn ancient people who were often in conflict with the Israelites. They are depicted as the enemies of God's people in this account. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God, led by King Saul at this time. They are encamped in the Valley of Elah, facing the Philistine army. 4. Valley of ElahThe location where the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines takes place. It is a significant setting for the confrontation between David and Goliath. 5. DavidAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, David is the young shepherd who will later confront and defeat Goliath, demonstrating faith and reliance on God. Teaching Points The Illusion of StrengthGoliath's armor represents human reliance on physical strength and worldly protection. Believers are reminded that true strength comes from God, not from material defenses. Spiritual ArmorJust as Goliath had physical armor, Christians are called to put on the full armor of God. This includes truth, righteousness, faith, and salvation, which protect us in spiritual battles. Faith Over FearThe account of David and Goliath encourages believers to face their giants with faith. Trusting in God can overcome any obstacle, no matter how formidable it appears. God's SovereigntyThe account underscores God's control over the events of our lives. Even when facing overwhelming odds, God is able to deliver and provide victory. Preparation and ReadinessDavid's eventual victory over Goliath was preceded by his preparation and trust in God. Believers are encouraged to be spiritually prepared and ready to act in faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Goliath's armor symbolize the reliance on worldly strength, and how can this be contrasted with spiritual strength in our lives? 2. In what ways can the "armor of God" described in Ephesians 6 help us face our own "giants" today? 3. Reflect on a time when you faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. How did your faith in God influence the outcome? 4. How does the account of David and Goliath illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty and His ability to use unlikely individuals for His purposes? 5. What steps can you take to ensure you are spiritually prepared to face challenges, drawing from David's example and other biblical teachings? Connections to Other Scriptures Ephesians 6:10-18This passage discusses the armor of God, contrasting the physical armor of Goliath with the spiritual armor that believers are called to wear. 2 Corinthians 10:4Highlights the nature of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God. Psalm 18:2David's declaration of God as his rock and fortress, illustrating the contrast between reliance on physical armor and trust in God's protection. People Abinadab, Abner, David, Elah, Eliab, Ephah, Goliath, Israelites, Jesse, Saul, ShammahPlaces Azekah, Bethlehem, Ekron, Ephes-dammim, Gath, Jerusalem, Shaaraim, Socoh, Valley of ElahTopics Armed, Armor, Brass, Bronze, Clad, Clothed, Coat, Corselet, Dressed, Head-dress, Helmet, Mail, Metal, Scale, Scale-armor, Scaled, Scales, Shekels, Thousand, Weighed, Weighing, Weight, WoreDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 17:5 5158 head-covering
5209 armour
5237 breastplate
5615 weights 1 Samuel 17:4-7 5259 coat 1 Samuel 17:4-10 5956 strength, human 1 Samuel 17:4-11 5086 David, rise of 1 Samuel 17:5-6 4312 bronze 1 Samuel 17:5-7 8421 equipping, physical Library The victory of Unarmed Faith
'And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 34. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; 35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureApril the Thirtieth the Test of victory
"David behaveth himself wisely." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 55--xviii. 5. The hour of victory is a more severe moral test than the hour of defeat. Many a man can brave the perils of adversity who succumbs to the seductions of prosperity. He can stand the cold better than the heat! He is enriched by failure, but "spoilt by success." To test the real quality of a man, let us regard him just when he has slain Goliath! "David behaved himself wisely"! He was not "eaten up with pride." He developed no "side." …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year April the Twenty-Ninth the Mood of Triumph
"I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts." --1 SAMUEL xvii. 38-54. The man who comes up to his foes with this assurance will fight and win. Reasonable confidence is one of the most important weapons in the warrior's armoury. Fear is always wasteful. The man who calmly expects to win has already begun to conquer. Our mood has so much to do with our might. And therefore does the Word of God counsel us to attend to our dispositions, lest, having carefully collected our material implements, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year The Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII How David Prevailed.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine!"--1 SAMUEL xvii. 50. Yes, he did, but he would not have done so if he had remained as quiet as the other Israelites. David was one of those who could not be easy so long as the enemies of his country were in the ascendant. To see a Philistine strutting about, defying the armies of the living God, was more than he could bear. Is not this the spirit which should animate Christians to-day? It is not one GOLIATH merely, there are many. DRUNKENNESS, PROFANITY, …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, was born at Giffordgate, four miles from Haddington, Scotland, in 1505. He first made his appearance as a preacher in Edinburgh, where he thundered against popery, but was imprisoned and sent to the galleys in 1546. In 1547 Edward VI secured his release and made him a royal chaplain, when he acquired the friendship of Cranmer and other reformers. On the accession of Mary (1553) he took refuge on the Continent. In 1556 he accepted the charge of a church in Geneva, …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I Hwochow Women's Bible Training School
COURSE OF STUDY FIRST TERM Book of Genesis. Gospel according to St. Luke or St. Mark. Acts of the Apostles, chapters i. to ix. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible." Reading Lessons, with necessary Explanation and Writing of Chinese Character. Arithmetic. Singing and Memorisation of Hymns. SECOND TERM Book of Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Samuel i. to xvi. The Gospel according to St. John. The Epistle of St James. "A Synopsis of the Central Themes of the Holy Bible"--(continued). Reading …
A. Mildred Cable—The Fulfilment of a Dream of Pastor Hsi's He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 17:5 NIV1 Samuel 17:5 NLT1 Samuel 17:5 ESV1 Samuel 17:5 NASB1 Samuel 17:5 KJV
1 Samuel 17:5 Commentaries
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