The story of David and Goliath found in the Bible is probably one of the most well-known and often-told stories from the Old Testament. It carries with it a wonderful lesson – that no problem is too big in the eyes of God. If we see everything in the same perspective as God, huge problems and situations that seem impossible can be seen more clearly. We can deal with them more effectively, especially with God on our side.
According to the Bible, Goliath was a member of the Philistine army that was waging war against the Israelites. He was over 9 feet tall and was clad in armor from head to foot. The Israelites were terrified of Goliath and none would fight him. Meanwhile he continued to mock Saul, the King of Israel, and his men, daring them to fight him.
It took someone who was not a soldier but a shepherd, a teenage boy named David, to challenge the giant. Relying on his faith in God and his skill with a sling, David approached Goliath and cried, “I come against you in the name of the Lord.” When the angry Philistine giant came at David, the boy aimed his sling and hit Goliath in the forehead through the smallest of holes in his armor. He was killed instantly.
These days, scientists are fascinated with biblical history and are anxious to prove or disprove what man has believed for years. One of these areas of interest has been the fate of Goliath. A theory put forth by neurologists is that Goliath may have had a disease known as gigantism. The scientific name is acromelagy and it is a condition that makes the pituitary gland secrete abnormal levels of growth hormones. The result is people who become unusually tall. If this is true, the disease may have precipitated an early death for Goliath anyway.
Next is the question of why it was so easy for David to approach this supposed great warrior and quickly get off a fatal shot. Researchers explain this one away by surmising the Goliath’s condition had affected his vision, making him either partially blind or giving him tunnel vision. The tumor that is the cause of the large amounts of growth hormone secreted by the pituitary gland may have been compressing Goliath’s optic nerves. The giant may not have seen David approaching, making it easy for the boy to strike Goliath.
Others who are skeptical ask how a single stone could bring down the fearsome giant. The tumor is also the explanation for this. If it was the tumor that was struck by the rock, it may have ruptured and then bled, causing Goliath to die.
Even if Goliath’s size was a direct result of gigantism, this should not take away from the David’s bravery and faith in the face of danger. Neither the Philistines, the Israelites, nor the young shepherd David understood why Goliath was such a giant. The lesson still holds that God can make anything possible if you have faith.
Robert Mann is a published poet and writer residing in California. Mr. Mann is also Executive Editor of the Christian news website http://www.FreeChristianPress.com.
categories: Goliath,gigantism,Bible,scripture,Christianity,religion,medicine
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