David and Goliath
Basic Info
1 Samuel 16:19—17:54
David comes to the front where the Israelites are encamped near their enemies, the Philistines. It was not unusual in war in those days to have one side’s best fighter engage in one-on-one combat with the other side’s best fighter. The Philistines had a giant of a fighter named Goliath. He had issued a challenge inviting any one of the Israelites to take him on. In his challenge, he talked trash about the God of Israel. David hears all of this and gets a bit mad that none of the Israelite soldiers will take this guy on when he is insulting God. David decides to accept the challenge himself. At first Saul gives him armor, but it is too big and heavy for him, so he goes out in just his regular clothes with his shepherd’s bag in which he has put 5 smooth river rocks. He has his sling with him also.
As David and Goliath approach each other, David invokes God and claims he will avenge the insults Goliath has flung at God. As he gets closer to Goliath, David loads a stone in his sling and hits Goliath so hard that the stone lodges in Goliath’s forehead. Goliath falls flat. David approaches him and, taking Goliath’s own sword, cuts off Goliath’s head. The Philistines then run away.
The art tradition loves this story! Sometimes it is about the little guy defeating the big guy. Other times it is about the power one has when God is with him or her. Sometimes each episode of the story is told in a single artwork.
What to Look For
- David’s physical appearance (handsome, young, vulnerable, etc.)
- Goliath’s physical appearance (full grown, strong, giant, armored, etc.)
- The relative sizes of David and Goliath
- Evidence of David’s relationship with God (eyes toward Heaven, prayer, certainty of faith, etc.)
Questions to Focus a General Interpretation
Does this artwork seem to emphasize more the theme of “the little guy conquering the big guy” or the theme of “with God one can do anything”?
Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation
Does the artwork call to mind any instances where you were either the little guy or the big guy in a dispute? Does the artwork call you to reflect on the event in new ways?
Does the artwork call you to pray before entering into contentious situations?
Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation
Did the political, economic, or social scene of the artist’s time and place offer any examples of the little guy versus the big guy (small city / state at risk of being swallowed up by an empire) or of with God we can conquer anyone (the Crusades)? Might that be reflected in the artwork?
