Saul Versus Goliath— Reflections on the Story Implied

Most are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. It story has gone past its Jewish roots, and even its Christian limits. The story has become part of pop culture… and used to convey many different messages.

But also of value is the story of King Saul versus Goliath.

Goliath, as we may remember, was a giant warrior. There is a dispute on his size in I Samuel 17. The Masoretic text of the story says that Goliath was 6 cubits and 1 span tall. That comes out, approximately to 9 foot, 9 inches. However, some texts— Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint particularly— say that Goliath was 4 cubits and 1 span tall. That comes out, again approximately, to 6 foot, 9 inches. The first measurement would put Goliath almost a foot taller that the tallest man in modern history. The second, would make him a very big man— welcome on most basketball teams.

Which one is correct? Some suggest that the Masoretic text is more reasonable due to the great weight of Goliath’s spear, armor, and helmet. That may be reasonable… but far from convincing. He was likely given weapons and armor to be imposing— like a tank— rather than packing light for charging into the fray and continuing in long battles. As Malcolm Gladwell has pointed out, bigger is not necessarily better. A man who is 9 foot 9 inches is likely to be slow, clumsy, and with grave health problems. On the other hand, a man 6 foot 9 inches may well be able to back his imposing size with strength, speed, and dexterity as a warrior. I am going to assume that Goliath was 6 foot 9 inches tall. This is tall and imposing today, but even more so in that age.

But what about Saul? King Saul was a pretty big man himself. I Samuel 9:2b states, “There was no one more impressive among the Israelites than he. He stood a head taller than anyone else.” The actual Hebrew may be even more impressive. It literally says “from his shoulder and up higher than any of the people.” So how tall was he? Well suppose that the average Israelite man was 5 foot 6 inches. Perhaps that is a bit on the tall side, but it should be close. If Saul was shoulder and head taller, how much would that be? Probably at least 8 inches taller. That would put him at 6 foot 2 inches or taller… maybe 6 foot 4 inches.

But the time we get to I Samuel 17, Saul was more than simply an “impressive young man.” He was now King and also a warrior. We don’t know whether Saul actually got went into battle and fought with the enemy directly. However, in I Samuel 31 we find that not only did Saul have a sword, but he also had a shield bearer, and ultimately died in battle… at age 72. So when we learn in I Samuel 19, while still in the prime of life, that King Saul had a helmet, armor, and weapons, we should understand that he was competent to fight.

So when Goliath stood and called out to King Saul to send out a champion to battle him, there was only one logical choice— and that was King Saul himself. If Goliath was 6 foot 9 inches, and Saul was, perhaps, 6 foot 3 inches, there was only 6 inch difference in height. That may seem like a fair bit… but that is much less than the 15 inch difference with the typical Israelite soldier. In a battle of spear and sword, Saul, if he was well-trained, would have a decent chance of winning that battle.

This, I believe, is unstated story within the story of David and Goliath. Why? Because he not only refused to fight (actually, fairly understandable… the king cannot accept every challenge he receives), but he chose to instead give his armor, helmet, and sword to David— his armor bearer. In essence, a knight gave over a challenge to his squire.

Looking at the story by contrasting King Saul and Goliath is not without purpose. It is out of this contrast we an get to the key contest— Saul and David. King Saul was a physically impressive man— but he could be weak in character and courage. David was physically non-imposing… one who his own father did not appear to think was “king material.” Yet David had courage and moral character (although some BIG moral flaws will show themselves over and over again in subsequent chapters).

The story of Goliath provides the contrast between Saul and David. Both at this time were anointed by Samuel to lead Israel. Both had been empowered by the Spirit of God (although by I Samuel 17, that empowerment had left Saul). Both accepted the role of protecting Israel. However, Saul, the more capable, reneged and gave his weaponry to David, one who in normal circumstances would have little likelihood of success.

In terms of the broader story, Goliath was not the antagonist. The story was primarily about Saul and David. Goliath was an obstacle and a test. One passed and one did not.