Goliath

Goliath of Gath was a champion warrior of the Philistines who stood over nine feet tall. His armor alone weighed five thousand shekels of brass, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron. He was an intimidating figure of immense physical power, trained for war from his youth.

For forty days, morning and evening, Goliath stood before the armies of Israel in the Valley of Elah and issued his challenge: send one man to fight him in single combat. If that man could kill him, the Philistines would serve Israel; if Goliath won, Israel would serve the Philistines. King Saul and all Israel were "dismayed, and greatly afraid."

A young shepherd named David, sent by his father to bring supplies to his brothers, heard the giant's defiance and was outraged that an uncircumcised Philistine should defy "the armies of the living God." Refusing Saul's armor, David approached Goliath with his sling and five smooth stones. Goliath was insulted: "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?"

David declared, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts." He slung a single stone that struck Goliath's forehead, and the giant fell face-first to the earth. David then used Goliath's own sword to cut off his head. The Philistines fled, and Israel won a great victory.