Goliath
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
— the name of two men mentioned in the First and Second Books of Samuel: a) (1 Sam. 17:4) the well-known Philistine giant, a native of Gath. In height Goliath measured 6 cubits and a span (over 9 feet), his coat of mail weighed 5,000 shekels (about 125 pounds), the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the iron head of the spear alone weighed 600 shekels (about 15 pounds). The details of Goliath’s single combat with David, which took place in the valley of the terebinth between Socoh and Azekah, are described in 1 Samuel (chapter 17).
The last psalm of the Psalter (151), inscribed in the Septuagint “when he fought in single combat with Goliath,” was written by David after the defeat of Goliath. Goliath’s sword, kept by David, was preserved first at Nob, and afterward brought by him to Jerusalem; b) (2 Sam. 21:19) another giant, Goliath, also of Gath, of whom it is likewise said that the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam. He was slain by Elhanan, son of Jaare-oregim of Bethlehem.