How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. {armed: Heb. clothed} And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. {target: or, gorget} And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. (1 Samuel 17:4-7, KJV)
And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. (1 Samuel 17:4-7, NRSV)
Tall, strong and mean, Goliath is not to be messed with. Unless of course you're a twelve-year-old shepherd with a sling. Despite the Bible's rather vivid depiction of Goliath, the text never lets us forget that David is the real hero. In the words of Lady Galadriel, even the smallest person can change the course of the future.
Quote #8
And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. (1 Samuel 17:42-43, KJV)
When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. The Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. (1 Samuel 17:42-43, NRSV)
Again, we hear that David is ruddy and good-looking. He seems to be a very healthy boy. Goliath is insulted by the child before him and throws some cuts his way. But remember, the main point of 1 Samuel is that outward appearances aren't all they're cracked up to be. Unfortunately, Goliath's skull will probably get cracked open before he has a chance to realize this.
Quote #9
And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. (1 Samuel 18:4, KJV)
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:4, NRSV)
Before David went out to fight Goliath, Saul offered to let David wear his armor. But the armor didn't quite fit, so it was discarded. Once David defeats the giant Goliath in his shepherd clothes, he's dressed up in Jonathan's princely outfit. This story is more significant than playing dress up. David is now wearing the clothes of a prince. And if he looks like a prince, why can't he be king?