David Fights Goliath

The following is a stained glass window from the Three choir windows in the Marienkirche, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, of the 14th century, depicting Hannah’s dedication of Samuel:

Source: Der gläserne Schatz: Die Bilderbibel der St. Marienkirche in Frankfurt (Oder), Neuer Berlin Verlag, 2005, copyright for this image: Brandenburgisches Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologisches Landesmuseum

Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )

See also other stained glass windows from the Marienkirche in Frankfurt.

David Kills Goliath

Artwork by Sister Marie Claire , SMMI (1937–2018) from Bengaluru, India.

For more information about images by Sister Marie Claire and ways to purchase them as lithographs, see here .

For other images of Sister Marie Claire paintings in TIPs, see here.

complete verse (1 Samuel 17:48)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:48:

  • Kupsabiny: “Goliath moved nearer to David wanting to start the fight. David hurried to welcome/approach Goliath.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When that Philistine advanced towards David, David [also] advanced, running quickly to fight with him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “While Goliat was-coming-near/approaching him, David ran-(out) to-meet him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “As Goliath came closer to attack David, David ran quickly toward him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English means “beloved.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


“Elizabeth” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about David (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: David .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 17:48

The Hebrew text refers to Goliath as the Philistine both at the beginning of the verse and at the end. For reasons of English style Good News Translation says “Goliath” and “him.” Perhaps the Hebrew and Revised Standard Version suggest more strongly than does Good News Translation that Goliath was indeed the enemy.

The use of the verb arose is not intended to suggest that Goliath had sat down at some point previously in the narrative. Rather it indicates that he began to take action. See the comments on this use of the verb “arise” at 9.3 and in the discussion of serial verbs, page 20 and following.

Came and drew near: see the comments at verse 41.

Since there were two sides to the battle line, Good News Translation makes it clear that David was running toward the “Philistine battle line” in order to do battle with Goliath.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .