David Vs. Goliath

[Guest pea4008]

I am in a new class at my school called "The Bible as in Literature". Right now we are discussing the story of David and Goliath. I need some help trying to find out why David chooses five stones instead of one. Is it because he had little faith, he likes to be prepared, or maybe that he knew of Goliaths four brothers. I would also like to find out what the five stones represent (for example, the pouch he put the stones in is a full lambskin that was slung over one shoulder. I think this has a direct meaning, the lamb of Jesus). Any information or input anyone has would be of great help.

Thanks,

Pea4008

[nebula]

Well, the four other brothers makes sense.

The lambskin - never thought of that before - but interesting point!

Blessings!

[artsylady]

I definitely don't think that David lacked faith. Saul put a helmet and armour on David, and David took the armour off saying they wouldn't be needed. Then, to Goliath he said

Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

He went at him fully confident and killed him with the first stone, but you do have to wonder why he chose five. Interesting.

[Guest yod]

Goliath had 4 brothers.

David didn't lack faith at all!!!

He was prepared to take them all out with one stone apiece.

Think about it.....how bad must David have been?

He was not scared of this giant in the least because he had already killed a lion and a bear before. Goliath must have been easy compared to a lion, don't you think???

[Guest shadow2b]

-He was not scared of this giant in the least because he had already killed a lion and a bear before. Goliath must have been easy compared to a lion, don't you think-   ???

-YUPP---RAIGHT ON BRO.--dont wanna be yo tiger--tigers play too rough--dont wanna be yo lion ---lions aint the kind you love eeeee-nough-unless of course IT'S the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH

[hazel]

I've wondered since childhood why David chose five smooth stones. I always just assumed that he wanted to be prepared just incase he missed a couple of times. I never knew Goliath had four brothers. Am I showing my lack of knowlege of scripture? Where can I read about the four brothers?

[Guest yod]

Hmm...

Actually I think it comes from ancient hebraic writings. The only mention of Goliath having a brother in the bible that I know of is this one;

1 Chronicles 20:5 In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod.

[Ovedya]

I'm not sure if the number of stone have any real literary significance. A wise man might have once said something like, "Never load a pistol with only one bullet, when you're up against an army." I think it was just for practical purposes that David chose more than one stone. Now, as for the significance of smooth stones rather than rough ones, I would have to say that David was probably experienced enough with a sling to know that smooth stones sail further and much more accurate than rough ones.

[traveller]

I think I disagree with you Beau. I think that nothing in God's word is insignificant and that the numbers all have meaning. If it were not important then I think it would have simply said that David picked up some rocks. Of course that's just my opinion.

[Guest mcm42]

Maybe on average, he used five stones per animal. Certainly 5 stones would not have taken out the entire philistine army... maybe he was a juggler too.. and used one to kill goliath and the other 4 to juggle over his dead carcus...

Frankly I could care less

Sorry just my opinion