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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 heardthem.

1 Samuel 21:9,10
And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, itis here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, takeit: forthere is no other save that here. And David said,There is none like that; give it me…

2 Samuel 21:19
And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slewthe brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spearwas like a weaver's beam.

of Gath

1 Samuel 27:4
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

Joshua 11:22
There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.

2 Samuel 21:16-22
And Ishbibenob, whichwas of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spearweighed three hundredshekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a newsword, thought to have slain David…

whose height

Deuteronomy 3:11
For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedsteadwas a bedstead of iron;is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubitswas the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

1 Chronicles 11:23
And he slew an Egyptian, a man ofgreat stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's handwas a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

Amos 2:9
Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose heightwas like the height of the cedars, and hewas strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.

six cubits According to Bp.

who was from Gath
Gath was one of the five major Philistine cities, located in the coastal region of Canaan. Archaeological evidence suggests Gath was a significant and fortified city during this period. The Philistines were known for their advanced military technology, including iron weaponry, which gave them an advantage over the Israelites. Gath's association with giants is noted in other biblical passages, such as2 Samuel 21:20-22, where other descendants of giants are mentioned.

came out from the Philistine camp
The Philistines were a seafaring people who settled along the coastal plains of Canaan. Their camp was likely positioned strategically to challenge Israelite forces. The act of Goliath coming out from the camp signifies a direct challenge to Israel, emphasizing the Philistines' confidence in their champion. This scene sets the stage for the dramatic encounter between David and Goliath, highlighting the tension between the two nations.

He was six cubits and a span in height
A cubit is generally considered to be about 18 inches, and a span is approximately 9 inches, making Goliath's height around 9 feet 9 inches. This extraordinary height would have made Goliath an imposing figure, contributing to the fear he instilled in the Israelite army. The description of Goliath's size underscores the seemingly insurmountable challenge he posed, setting the stage for a demonstration of God's power through David. This account foreshadows the New Testament theme of God using the weak to confound the strong, as seen in1 Corinthians 1:27.

• Scripture introduces Goliath as “a champion,” a single combat warrior who embodies the strength and pride of the entire Philistine army (1 Samuel 17:23).

• His role echoes earlier examples of hand-to-hand representatives, but the writer emphasizes that Israel’s enemy has an intimidating, seemingly unbeatable figure.

• The scene recalls Pharaoh’s boastful power inExodus 14:4 and Sennacherib’s taunts in2 Kings 19:22–23—human pride lining up against the living God.

• Gath is one of five principal Philistine cities (1 Samuel 6:17). Its mention connects Goliath to a lineage of giants that survived in that region (Joshua 11:22).

• Later, other unusually large warriors also come from Gath (2 Samuel 21:18-22), showing that this was not mere legend but a recognized historical reality.

• The contrast between Gath’s giants and Israel’s shepherd boy spotlights God’s pattern of choosing the humble to shame the proud (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

• He steps forward daily to challenge Israel (1 Samuel 17:8-10), symbolizing evil’s persistent harassment of God’s people (Nehemiah 4:1-3).

• The Philistine ranks watch confidently, trusting their champion; Israel’s soldiers “were dismayed and greatly afraid” (1 Samuel 17:11).

• The showdown underscores the covenant principle that victory depends on the LORD, not human might (Deuteronomy 20:4;Psalm 33:16-17).

• At roughly 9 feet 9 inches (about 3 meters), Goliath’s stature is literal, not figurative. His size explains why Saul—himself “head and shoulders” above all Israel (1 Samuel 9:2)—still shrinks back.

• Other literal giants appear in Scripture—Og, king of Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:11), and the Anakim seen by the spies (Numbers 13:32-33). The Bible treats these accounts as factual history, affirming God’s power over even the most intimidating physical realities.

• Goliath’s towering presence magnifies David’s faith: “You come to me with a sword… but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Hosts” (1 Samuel 17:45). The verse sets the stage for a demonstration that “the battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47).

1 Samuel 17:4 paints an unmistakable picture of an enormous, battle-hardened warrior representing a godless nation. By recording his hometown, his role as champion, his bold advance, and his extraordinary height, the verse establishes a human impossibility—one only the LORD can overcome. Every detail heightens the contrast between visible strength and unseen faith, preparing us to see God’s glory revealed through the unlikely victory of David and, ultimately, through every act of deliverance He works for those who trust Him.