He Might Be a Giant

I Samuel Chapter 17, the Strange and the Spectacular

Verses: 58

Is It Read At Synagogue?: No.

Famous Quotes/Phrases: He is defeated in every other way, but I’d argue that Goliath has the best line in the chapter; in Verse 43, when he sees young David opposing him, he exclaims, “Am I a dog that you come against me with sticks?” As famous last words go, they’re not bad.

Basic Plot: You probably know this story, at least the basics of it: the Philistines seek to make war against the Israelites led by their most fearsome soldier, Goliath. The giant challenges an Israelite to defeat him, saying that the people of the winning combatant could enslave the people of the defeated soldier.

David, tending his family’s flock, is sent by his father to bring provisions to his three oldest brothers, who are part of the Israelite army. When David arrives, he hears Goliath boasting — as well as the murmuring Israelite soldiers, who mention that Saul would provide great reward for the man who would defeat the giant. David announces that he’s up for the challenge, so he’s brought to Saul. The king is skeptical, but David reasons that he has killed lions and bears who threatened the family flock, and he also will kill Goliath with the same support from God.

Saul is convinced, even when David declines to use Saul’s armor. David flings a stone at Goliath’s forehead, killing him at once, and then cuts off the giant’s head. The Philistines flee.

What’s Strange: As in the previous chapter, David’s physical attributes come into play, as the text once again describes him as “katan”. But whereas last chapter’s reference emphasizes the fact that David is the youngest of his brothers, here, the word can be understood as “small” as a way to contrast him to Goliath. Another contrast is useful to note here, according to Marc Zvi Brettler in his book How To Read the Bible: “[The description] resonates in this story when juxtaposed with both the giant Goliath and the tall Saul. … First, it alerts the reader to the subtler contrasts between David and Saul. Second, it casts a shadow over Saul: he is the one who should have confronted Goliath, but instead the king lets some youngster with less stature do so” [emphasis mine].

What’s Spectacular: There are many ways that the text of I Samuel is corrupted, which might explain why Saul, who had already met and employed David in Chapter 16, seems to have absolutely no idea who David is in this chapter. But I suggest that we look at this from a literary perspective: in other words, if we assume that the story is told in the order that we have it, why would Saul have already forgotten that the boy who dares to slay Goliath is the same one who carries his weapons and plays music to soothe him?

We could argue that the evil spirit God had sent Saul in Chapter 16 is already clouding his memory. Yet I wonder whether Saul’s confusion is due to sadness, as he knows that his days as monarch are coming to a close. The man with the courage to take on the Philistines in the earlier part of his reign is all too eager for an excuse to send someone else when it matters most. This is not to say that Saul will never again show a willingness to fight, but it is a sign of diminished confidence. As we’ll read of Saul’s decline in upcoming chapters, it’s also worthwhile to consider people we know who lack motivation to be their best selves — and to consider how we can help to restore their sense of purpose.

Shabbat Shalom!