Editing Goliath (section)

==Biblical accounts==
[[File:071A.David Slays Goliath.jpg|thumb|David hoists the severed head of Goliath as illustrated by [[Gustave Doré]] (1866)]]

In [[1 Samuel 17]], [[Saul]] and the Israelites are facing the Philistines in the [[Valley of Elah]]. Twice a day for 40 days, morning and evening, Goliath, the [[Champion warfare|champion]] of the Philistines, comes out between the lines and challenges the Israelites to send out a champion of their own to decide the outcome in single combat, but Saul is afraid. David accepts the challenge. Saul reluctantly agrees and offers his armour, which David declines, taking only his staff, sling, and five stones from a brook.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|17:40|HE}}</ref>

David and Goliath confront each other, Goliath with his armor and [[javelin]], David with his [[wikt:staff|staff]] and [[Sling (weapon)|sling]]. "The Philistine cursed David by his gods", but David replies: {{quote|"This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a god in Israel and that all this assembly may know that God saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is God's, and he will give you into our hand."|{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|17:46–47|NIV}}}}

David hurls a stone from his sling and hits Goliath in the center of his [[forehead]], Goliath falls on his face to the ground, and David cuts off his head. The Philistines flee and are pursued by the Israelites "as far as [[Gath (city)|Gath]] and the gates of [[Ekron]]". David puts the armor of Goliath in his own tent and takes the head to [[Jerusalem]], and Saul sends [[Abner]] to bring the boy to him. The king asks whose son he is, and David answers: {{quote|"I am the son of your servant [[Jesse (biblical figure)|Jesse]] the [[Bethlehem]]ite."|{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|17:58|NIV}}}}