1 Samuel 17:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

NIV: He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels ;

NASB: And he had a bronze helmet on his head, and he wore scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.

CSB: and wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed one hundred twenty-five pounds.

NLT: He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds.

KJV: And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.

NKJV: He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

The Israelite and Philistines armies are gathered for war, each force occupying a side of the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:1–3). A Philistine champion has emerged. These "champions" were the strongest soldiers, sent to challenge the enemy's strongest soldier to one-on-one combat to decide the battle. He is Goliath of Gath, and he stands at about nine feet, nine inches tall, or about three meters (1 Samuel 17:4). Given his city or origin and his stature, Goliath was likely a descendent of the giant-like people of Anak (Numbers 13:28, 22; Deuteronomy 1:28).

In addition to being huge, Goliath is clad in impressive armor. Beyond size, this may have differed from that given to the rank-and-file of the Philistine army. He is wearing a bronze helmet and covered with scale armor that weighs about 126 pounds, or roughly 57 kilograms. Scale armor was built by sewing hundreds of overlapping small plates onto a leather or cloth shirt or tunic that reached as low as the knees or ankles. The image is essentially that of a giant serpent. Some commentators have noted that Goliath's snake-like appearance could be linked to David's apparent innocence, as a metaphor for Christ overcoming Satan (Genesis 3:1, 15; Revelation 12:9; 20:2). The precise way in which David defeats his opponent also invites these comparisons (1 Samuel 17:49).

First Samuel 17:1–11 introduces a Philistine champion called Goliath. The armies of Israel and Philistia face off across a valley. Goliath is massive, towering over every other warrior, with gigantic weapons to match. Day after day (1 Samuel 17:16), he taunts the Israelite army. Goliath dares them to send their own champion to face him in single combat; the winner will determine which army is victorious. The Israelite soldiers are too intimidated to fight.

David, delivering food to his brothers at the Israelite army camp, hears the Philistine Goliath's defiant challenge. Single man combat could decide the battle, but no Israelite wanted to face the massive warrior. David is appalled that a Philistine would defy the armies of the living God. He volunteers to fight, and King Saul agrees. Before the battle, David declares that the Lord will give victory and thereby show the world that there is a God in Israel. David quickly kills and beheads Goliath. The Israelites chase the Philistines back to their own territory and plunder their camp. David brings Goliath's head to Saul.

Saul was made king of Israel (1 Samuel 9—10) and had many early successes (1 Samuel 11—14). However, his disobedience resulted in God's plan for a different king (1 Samuel 15). The prophet Samuel anointed David as this future monarch (1 Samuel 16:11–13). David has been serving as a musician for Saul (1 Samuel 16:18–21) and comes visit his brothers during a standoff between Israelite and Philistine forces. This leads to the famous story of David and Goliath. David's victory publicly triggers his rise to power, paralleled by Saul's collapse. In the end, Saul will die in disgrace (1 Samuel 31:4–7) and David will be appointed the new king of Israel (1 Samuel 2:45:1–3).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.