Just who did kill goliath?

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MJ_1964

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1st Samuel 17:23-50 says David killed Goliath with a sling and stone. In 2nd Samuel 21:19 says that Elhanan killed Goliath. I need help on this my son and I are having a discussion about the Bible he says it contradicts itself, I say it doesn’t. But I am going to need help with this one.

Grace and peace to all
MJ
 
And to make matters worse 1 Chronicles 20:5 has Elhanon killing Goliath’s brother, Lahmi.

I suggest you go to Catholic Answers and do a search for “Bible inerrancy.”
 
There is only a contradiction if there was ever only one person in Gath named Goliath which is unlikely. If Goliath was a popular name, there would be no contradiction; the Bible would simply be referring to two different Goliaths from Gath.

The Haydock Catholic Commentary on what we now call 2 Samuel 21:19, offers the following possible explanations:Goliath. He might have the same name as his brother, who had been slain by David forty-three years before (Salien); or the title of brother [in 1 Chronicles 20:5] may only signify, that this giant resembled the former in size and strength. Proverbs 18:9.
 
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scriabin:
And to make matters worse 1 Chronicles 20:5 has Elhanon killing Goliath’s brother, Lahmi.

I suggest you go to Catholic Answers and do a search for “Bible inerrancy.”
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NAB footnote: Chronicles 20,5 “…the Chronicler thus solves the difficulty of the apparent contradiction between 1 Sm 17,49ff (David killed Goliath) and 2 Sm 21,19 (Ethanan killed Goliath).”

Andy
 
Andy–Yes, of course for we as believers the matter is settled and of no consequence. That footnote read 15 years ago is all I needed to understand who killed Goliath; but the thread was started by MJ for his son, who I’m assuming is having trouble believing.

For someone who doesn’t believe, these seemingly contradictory passages are a real hurdle; and no footnote will probably convince his son that the Bible is without error.
 
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scriabin:
Andy–Yes, of course for we as believers the matter is settled and of no consequence. That footnote read 15 years ago is all I needed to understand who killed Goliath; but the thread was started by MJ for his son, who I’m assuming is having trouble believing.

For someone who doesn’t believe, these seemingly contradictory passages are a real hurdle; and no footnote will probably convince his son that the Bible is without error.
Click to expand...
Understood.

Thanks for the post.

Andy
 
Hi all!

One of our Sages says that David & Elhanan are the same person, i.e. that Elhanan was one of David’s other names. Well, with all due resprect to our Sage, I give this one a double thumbs-down! One of our more modern rabbis says that I Samuel 17 & II Samuel 21:19 are separate accounts of two entirely different events, the only common denominator being that the dead Philistine bad guy was named Goliath. (Lots of names occur many times for different people in the Tanakh; that two Philistines might be named Goliath isn’t so far-fetched.) Our more modern Rabbi points out the following differences between I Samuel 17 & II Samuel 21:19.

I Samuel 17: This is very early in David’s career, way before he becomes King or even becomes a fighter. He initially appears in far less a role than his older soldier brothers. King Saul has a very prominent role in the story. Goliath poses the key challenge of 17:8-9; there is the lengthy stand-off between rival Israelite and Philistine armies. The site of the confrontation is the Elah Valley (see gemsinisrael.com/e_article000096482.htm ). David beheads Goliath with the latter’s own sword, which David carries off as a trophy & eventually gets back from High Priest Ahimelekh (“The sword of Goliath the Philistine whom you slew in the Elah Valley, behold here it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you will take that, take it, for there is no other save that here.” And David said, “There is none like that, give it to me.” I Samuel 21:10)

II Samuel 21:19: This is very late in David’s career, long after he has become sole king of a united kingdom, and after his men beseeched an aging king not to take a personal part in actual combat in Israel’s wars. His brothers are not mentioned. Saul is not mentioned. There is no hint of any personal challenge from Goliath. There is no hint of any stand-off between rival Israelite & Philistine armies. The site of the confrontation is Gob. The only weapon mentioned in connection with Goliath is a spear; there is no reference to any beheading.

Two different events.

Howzat?

Be well!

ssv 👋
 
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