Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 17
The actual fight between David and Goliath happened very quickly.
Goliath moved towards David because he wanted to throw a javelin (sharp metal pole) at him. David was then in great danger.
If David ran either towards or away from Goliath, Goliath could have aimed the javelin accurately. However, David ran across in the direction of the other soldiers.
As he ran, David put a large, heavy stone into his sling. The sling was a leather bag with two strings. David would have often used it to throw stones at wild animals that were attacking his sheep. So, he had the experience to use it accurately.
David then swung round to throw the stone from his sling at Goliath. Goliath was wearing a helmet (a metal hat to protect his head), but of course it could not cover his eyes.
The stone hit Goliath between his eyes and Goliath fell. By now, he was probably unconscious. David took Goliath’s own sword. Then David killed Goliath as he might kill an animal.
It is unpleasant to read about the death of any person, especially when they die in such an awful manner. Other people often expressed joy at an enemy’s death (18:6-7), but David had a more serious attitude. He expressed sad thoughts even when a wicked man died (for example, Saul in 2 Samuel 1:17-24 and Absalom in 2 Samuel 19:1-7).
As a soldier and as the king, David had the responsibility to carry out God’s judgements in this world. David considered that to be a serious and terrible responsibility. He wished that he had lived at a time of peace (1 Chronicles 28:2-3). However, that was not God’s plan for him. It was God’s plan that, by his wars, David should bring peace to Israel.
Next part: The head of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:51-54)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.