Exploring David’s Strange Antics after Defeating Goliath

The story of David and Goliath is surely one of the best-known dramatic narratives in the Bible. Biblical scholars and archaeologists have been investigating the duel from the perspective of archaeology, especially concentrating on the weaponry involved. One aspect of the story that has not been sufficiently studied and clarified is found in 1 Samuel 17:54, which reads, “David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent.” These rather enigmatic statements will be the focus of this talk. We will examine the significance of removing Goliath’s head to Jerusalem, a Jebusite stronghold, and attempt to resolve the question of “whose tent” was taken and why. By carefully examining the text of 1 Samuel 17:54 and offering some contextual data about ancient near eastern military practices, we will attempt to illuminate what was behind David’s strange antics after slaying the Philistine champion. This was part of the Texts and Contexts DVD.