David defeats Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-54)

The famous story of David’s defeat of the giant warrior Goliath is included within the First Book of Samuel. As a young shepherd, David had previously been anointed by the prophet Samuel and become a servant of King Saul. Now, however, he would become Israel’s hero.

The story begins after a new war had broken out between the Philistines and the Israelites. The two sides lined up for battle in the province of Judah. The Philistines set up camp on one hill, while the Israelites led by King Saul formed ranks on the other side of the valley.

Then a giant man wearing heavy armour came out from the Philistine camp to challenge the Israelites. His name was Goliath. He stood and shouted at them: “Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.”

For forty days, he presented himself with the same challenge, but to King Saul’s embarrassment, none of his soldiers ever dared to fight him. Then one day, David came to the camp to bring food to his brothers, who were part of Saul’s army. When he saw Goliath, and heard his taunts, he felt he had to act.

David went to King Saul and volunteered to fight the giant. At first, Saul was sceptical about David’s chances. Eventually, however, he agreed to let him fight. Saul even offered him his own armour, but David decided he would be better off without it. He picked up five smooth stones from a nearby stream, put them in his bag and went out to meet Goliath.

When the giant saw how young his challenger was, he was filled with contempt. Goliath called down curses on David, while David prayed to God for the strength to defeat the brute. As the two got closer, David took one of the stones he had collected, put it in his sling and hurled it straight at Goliath. The stone struck the Philistine on the forehead with such force that he fell face down on the ground.

Then David ran towards him and, drawing Goliath’s sword from its sheath, cut off his head. When the Philistine army saw that their hero had been slain, they fled. The Israelites went after them, killing many of them and looting their camp. David then travelled victoriously to Jerusalem, taking Goliath’s head with him as a trophy.

The story of David’s defeat of Goliath has a long history in art, featuring in sculpture, illustrated manuscripts, paintings, stained glass and even as a fresco in the Sistine Chapel. Often the scene is of David clutching Goliath’s huge head, or wielding the sword to finish the giant off.

This stained glass scene of the event represents a different artistic tradition, known as the ‘Triumph of David’. The image forms part of the West Window of the Cathedral Church of St Marie, in Sheffield. The window was designed by A.W.N. Pugin and produced by John Hardman (of Hardman & Co.) in 1850. It pairs numerous scenes from the Old Testament with corresponding episodes in the life of Christ.

In this example, David’s victorious entry to Jerusalem is linked with Christ’s later triumphal entry into the city. The young David is seen here carrying Goliath’s giant head impaled on his sword. Notice how the head features the wound from the stone. As other soldiers also return to the city, women celebrate the victory with music and singing (cf 1 Samuel 18:6-9).

See the full image:

Detail of David’s triumphal entry:

Where to find this work of art
Cathedral Church of St Marie, Sheffield

Read the relevant passage
1 Samuel 17:1-54

On a similar theme

• In the Old Testament: Previously, the judge Samson had also led Israel to victory over the Philistines.
• In the New Testament: The window pairs the triumphal entry of David to Jerusalem with Christ’s joyous entry to the city on Palm Sunday.