1. 1 Samuel 17:5–6 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why is so much detail given about Goliath’s armour?

1 Samuel 17:5–6 (ESV)

5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

Goliath’s armour weighed around fifty kilograms.1 This is very heavy and, whilst giving him excellent protection, it would most certainly slow his movements.2 He was equipped in the best armour that money could buy at the time,3 with only his face being unshielded.4 The author also wants to make a comparison to what David will later use as a weapon against Goliath.