Who killed Goliath? David (I Samuel 17:23, 50) Elhanan (2 Samuel 21:19) I. Introduction to the Question The question arises from two distinct passages: 1 Samuel 17:23, 50 – which clearly present David as the one who killed the giant Goliath – and 2 Samuel 21:19, which seems to name Elhanan as the slayer of Goliath. This apparent discrepancy has led some to wonder: Who actually killed Goliath? II. Relevant Scriptural Passages A. David Slays Goliath (1 Samuel 17:23, 50) • 1 Samuel 17:23: “As he was speaking with them, suddenly the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, came forward from the Philistine lines and shouted his usual words, which David also heard.” • 1 Samuel 17:50: “Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand, he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” These verses in 1 Samuel indisputably present David as Goliath’s conqueror. David’s victory over Goliath, often depicted as the underdog triumphing against a towering adversary, stands as one of the most iconic accounts in Scripture. B. The Elhanan Reference (2 Samuel 21:19) 2 Samuel 21:19 states: “Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.” In this verse, the text suggests that Elhanan killed “Goliath the Gittite.” At face value, this conflicts with the well-established narrative that David killed Goliath previously. III. The Clarifying Verse in Chronicles 1 Chronicles 20:5 provides an essential piece of evidence: “And again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear had a shaft like a weaver’s beam.” In this parallel account, Elhanan is described as slaying Lahmi, who is explicitly identified as Goliath’s brother. This clarifies that Elhanan’s noteworthy feat was still impressive—he killed another Philistine giant from Gath—but not Goliath himself. IV. Textual and Manuscript Considerations The biblical text’s reliability in these passages has been a focus of scholarly study. Hebrew manuscripts such as the Masoretic Text, various ancient manuscripts (including those discovered in archaeological contexts), and early translations like the Septuagint (Greek) and the Aramaic Targums shed light on the original reading. 1. Possible Scribal Error: Many scholars suggest that a scribal omission occurred in 2 Samuel 21:19, where the phrase “the brother of” (’ăḥî) might have been dropped accidentally as copyists dealt with a text referencing “Goliath the Gittite.” 2. Chronicles as a Harmonizing Source: In 1 Chronicles 20:5, we have the clear statement that Elhanan killed Goliath’s brother. The Chronicler’s account helps us see that no contradiction truly exists; rather, the direct mention of Goliath’s brother was preserved in that parallel passage. 3. Weight of Manuscript Evidence: Modern translations generally reconcile the texts by aligning 2 Samuel 21:19 with 1 Chronicles 20:5, indicating “the brother of Goliath.” This harmonization is upheld by comparative manuscript research that demonstrates the consistent thread of David’s original victory over Goliath. V. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration Numerous findings in the ancient Near East confirm the ongoing conflicts between Israelites and Philistines. While specific archaeological data about Goliath are limited, discoveries such as various Philistine city remains (including Gath itself) support Scripture’s depiction of the Philistines as a formidable military presence. The biblical text’s internal coherence—highlighting a repeated pattern of conflicts—remains historically credible. VI. Harmonizing the Passages A. David as Goliath’s Conqueror The entire context of 1 Samuel 17 portrays David’s singular victory. This is central to the national story of Israel and to David’s rise to prominence. The overarching narrative hinges on David’s heroic act that rallied Israel. B. Elhanan’s Separate Battle Later battles with the Philistines, such as the struggle at Gob detailed in 2 Samuel 21 and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 20, introduce new champions of the Philistines—Lahmi included. Elhanan’s deed is celebrated in its own right, but it in no way detracts from David’s earlier feat. Textual clarity in 1 Chronicles 20:5 indicates it was Lahmi, Goliath’s brother, whom Elhanan killed. VII. Conclusion The question “Who killed Goliath?” finds its clear resolution within Scripture itself. David is consistently affirmed as the slayer of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:23, 50). Elhanan distinguished himself later by defeating Lahmi, who was Goliath’s brother (1 Chronicles 20:5). When understood in proper context, there is no contradiction. These biblical passages, supported by reliable textual studies and corroborated by the broader narrative framework, reflect a coherent account demonstrating that the historical David killed Goliath the Gittite. Elhanan’s valor, recorded alongside David’s, adds further depth to the Israelite-Philistine conflicts without undermining Scripture’s unity. |
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