Explore the legendary battle between David and Goliath, uncovering fascinating historical and cultural insights! The young shepherd David, armed only with sling and stones, faced Goliath, fully equipped with a bronze helmet, coat of mail, greaves, javelin, and spear. Why is no sword initially mentioned, and what is the meaning of “weaver’s beam”? Dr. Mazow proposes that Goliath’s sword was an Aegean-style long, cut-and thrust sword that was unfamiliar to the Israelites, who used the Near Eastern curved sword. This analysis situates the story within the historical context of the book of Samuel and the Philistine-Israelite rivalry over the land.
This program is a part of The Annual Enid and Irving Kushner Lecture Series: Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Archaeology.