“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.”
This verse is part of the famous story of David and Goliath, where the young shepherd boy David faces the giant Philistine warrior Goliath in battle. In this particular verse, the focus is on Goliath and his impressive armour.
Context:The story of David and Goliath takes place during the time of the Israelite monarchy, specifically when Saul was the king. The Philistines were a long-standing enemy of the Israelites, and they were engaged in a battle against each other. Goliath, a formidable Philistine warrior, challenged the Israelites to send out a champion to fight him, with the outcome determining the victory of the respective armies.
Description of Goliath:In this verse, Goliath is described as wearing a helmet of brass, which would have protected his head in battle. He also wore a coat of mail, which was a type of armour made of interlinked metal rings that covered his upper body. The weight of his coat of mail was incredibly heavy, approximately five thousand shekels of brass.
Significance:The detailed description of Goliath’s armour underscores his strength and intimidation factor. Goliath was not just a tall giant, but he was also equipped with impressive weaponry and armour. The heavy armour served to provide him protection and made him a formidable opponent on the battlefield. It emphasises the apparent mismatch between David, a young shepherd, and Goliath, a powerful warrior.
Symbolism:Symbolically, Goliath’s armour can represent the world’s reliance on human strength and earthly possessions. Despite his imposing armour, Goliath ultimately fell before David, who relied on God’s strength. This story serves as a reminder that God’s power and faithfulness surpass human limitations and worldly measures of strength.
Application:The story of David and Goliath teaches us several valuable lessons. It shows that when faced with overwhelming challenges, we should trust in God’s power rather than relying solely on our own abilities. It demonstrates that God can use the seemingly weak and insignificant to accomplish great things. Furthermore, it encourages us to stand up against injustice and opposition with courage and faith in God’s guidance.
In summary, 1 Samuel 17:5 provides a vivid description of Goliath’s armour and highlights the apparent mismatch between the giant warrior and the young shepherd boy David. This verse, within the larger context of the story, teaches us about the power of God, the importance of trust and faith, and the ability of God to use the weak to accomplish great things.
