DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.10358#0185
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
the left (see page 159), it narrows considerably, and winds in and out through a somewhat
narrow gorge for some miles until it enters the more open plain near Tell es Safy. This
Valley of Elah (or the Terebinth) at the present day contains, near Shocoh (Shuweikeh), one
of the largest terebinth-trees in Palestine, fifty-five feet in height, with a spread of shade
seventy-five feet in diameter, and a trunk seventeen feet in circumference (see page 159). The
bottom of this valley, near Shocoh, is a fine fertile plain, cultivated as corn-fields, and here it
was that the encounter between David and Goliath took place, the Philistines standing on a
mountain on one side, and Israel on a mountain on the other, with the valley between them.
The people of Israel came down from the mountains and were to the north-east, while the
Philistines concentrating from the plains were on the south-west, army against army in battle
array. Gath, famous for its giants, had given to the Philistines a champion called Goliath, ten
feet in height, clad in a coat of mail, with a helmet of brass, and the staff of his spear was
like a weaver's beam ; and the spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. For forty
days were these two armies face to face, and for forty days did Goliath call to the armies
of Israel, " I defy the armies of Israel this day ; give me a man, that we may fight together."
And ail Israel were greatly afraid, for a champion who could cope with Goliath was unknown
(1 Samuel xvii.).
While the people of Israel were " dismayed and greatly afraid," there arrived in camp the
youthful David, who, when he had heard of the challenge of Goliath, asked what should be done
for the man who killed the Philistine, and took away the reproach from Israel, and was told in
reply that the king would enrich him and give him his daughter, and make his father's house
free in Israel. And David was brought before Saul and offered to figfht with the Philistine.
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Now in this personal combat, thus contemplated, there was not only the danger to the life of
David to be considered, but also to the whole people of Israel, for if the Philistine conquered
they were to be servants to the Philistines. The consequences were, therefore, so momentous
that Saul required a pledge as to David's ability and prowess. David recounted his adventures
with a lion and a bear, in each of which combats he was victorious, and Saul admitted his claim
to act as champion, and bid him go against the Philistine. This circumstance shows clearly
that the people of Israel were on the verge of a panic, on the point of giving in, otherwise they
would not have so desperately adventured their safety to a comparatively unknown champion,
to a youth totally unversed in the arts of wrar ; but it also shows us something more-- they
permitted David to go to the encounter without armour, and knew that he was about to enter
the lists trusting in the assistance of the God of Israel. It is clear from this that the people
as a body still thoroughly believed in their God, and trusted to David as His instrument :—
" And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the
Philistine in his forehead, and slew him. And when the Philistines saw their champion was
dead, they fled ; and the Israelites pursued them even to Gath and Ekron, and spoiled their
tents." At the present day the account of this victory of David can be read and studied
on the spot, and all the incidents realised ; for the ancient sites are still in existence, and
the left (see page 159), it narrows considerably, and winds in and out through a somewhat
narrow gorge for some miles until it enters the more open plain near Tell es Safy. This
Valley of Elah (or the Terebinth) at the present day contains, near Shocoh (Shuweikeh), one
of the largest terebinth-trees in Palestine, fifty-five feet in height, with a spread of shade
seventy-five feet in diameter, and a trunk seventeen feet in circumference (see page 159). The
bottom of this valley, near Shocoh, is a fine fertile plain, cultivated as corn-fields, and here it
was that the encounter between David and Goliath took place, the Philistines standing on a
mountain on one side, and Israel on a mountain on the other, with the valley between them.
The people of Israel came down from the mountains and were to the north-east, while the
Philistines concentrating from the plains were on the south-west, army against army in battle
array. Gath, famous for its giants, had given to the Philistines a champion called Goliath, ten
feet in height, clad in a coat of mail, with a helmet of brass, and the staff of his spear was
like a weaver's beam ; and the spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. For forty
days were these two armies face to face, and for forty days did Goliath call to the armies
of Israel, " I defy the armies of Israel this day ; give me a man, that we may fight together."
And ail Israel were greatly afraid, for a champion who could cope with Goliath was unknown
(1 Samuel xvii.).
While the people of Israel were " dismayed and greatly afraid," there arrived in camp the
youthful David, who, when he had heard of the challenge of Goliath, asked what should be done
for the man who killed the Philistine, and took away the reproach from Israel, and was told in
reply that the king would enrich him and give him his daughter, and make his father's house
free in Israel. And David was brought before Saul and offered to figfht with the Philistine.
<_> , o
Now in this personal combat, thus contemplated, there was not only the danger to the life of
David to be considered, but also to the whole people of Israel, for if the Philistine conquered
they were to be servants to the Philistines. The consequences were, therefore, so momentous
that Saul required a pledge as to David's ability and prowess. David recounted his adventures
with a lion and a bear, in each of which combats he was victorious, and Saul admitted his claim
to act as champion, and bid him go against the Philistine. This circumstance shows clearly
that the people of Israel were on the verge of a panic, on the point of giving in, otherwise they
would not have so desperately adventured their safety to a comparatively unknown champion,
to a youth totally unversed in the arts of wrar ; but it also shows us something more-- they
permitted David to go to the encounter without armour, and knew that he was about to enter
the lists trusting in the assistance of the God of Israel. It is clear from this that the people
as a body still thoroughly believed in their God, and trusted to David as His instrument :—
" And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the
Philistine in his forehead, and slew him. And when the Philistines saw their champion was
dead, they fled ; and the Israelites pursued them even to Gath and Ekron, and spoiled their
tents." At the present day the account of this victory of David can be read and studied
on the spot, and all the incidents realised ; for the ancient sites are still in existence, and