Goliath (Art by Anato Finnstark)
| “ | Today I defy the armies of Israel!
Give me a man, and let us fight each other! |
„ |
| ~ Goliath |
Goliath is a Philistine Gibborim that was defeated and slain by David. The story behind the battle of David and Goliath signified Saul's unfitness to rule, as Saul himself should have fought for Israel.
Overview[]
The Talmud stresses Goliath's ungodliness: his taunts before the Israelites included the boast that it was he who had captured the Ark of the Covenant and brought it to the temple of Dagan, and his challenges to combat were made at morning and evening in order to disturb the Israelites in their prayers. His armor weighed 60 tons, according to rabbi Hanina; 120, according to rabbi Abba bar Kahana; and his sword, which became the sword of David, had marvelous powers.
History[]
Book of Samuel[]
Saul and the Israelites are facing the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. Twice a day for 40 days, morning and evening, Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, comes out between the lines and challenges the Israelites to send out a champion of their own to decide the outcome in single combat, but Saul is afraid. David accepts the challenge. Saul reluctantly agrees and offers his armor, which David declines, taking only his staff, sling and seven stones from a brook. David then writes on the seven his father's name, his own name, and the name of God, one name per stone.
David vs Goliath[]
David and Goliath confront each other, Goliath with his armor and javelin, David with his staff and sling. "The Philistine cursed David by his gods", but David replies: "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel and that all this assembly may know that God saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is God's, and he will give you into our hand."
David hurls a stone from his sling and hits Goliath in the center of his forehead, Goliath falls on his face to the ground, David cuts off his head. On his death it was found that his heart carried the image of Dagon, who thereby also came to a shameful downfall. The Philistines flee and are pursued by the Israelites "as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron". David puts the armor of Goliath in his own tent and takes the head to Jerusalem, and Saul sends Abner to bring the boy to him. The king asks whose son he is, and David answers,"I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."
Second Death[]
After his death, Goliath was warped into a powerful demon due to his wickedness and his nature as a Gibborim. He would also come to serve under the demon king Dagan as he did during his life as a human. After Vergil's escape from Hell, there was a "great tremor" which sufficiently weakened the barrier between the human and infernal realm. This was due to Vergil being the first seal to break that heralded the release of Lucifer from his tomb. Goliath would take this opportunity to pass through the weakened barriers between Hell and Earth with the intention of ruling it, as well as to find and devour the "children of David".
Goliath is encountered by Nero when the devil hunter enters a local church while looking for V, Vergil's final fragmented soul piece that embodies his humanity. Goliath attacks Nero with an ambulance before proudly announcing his name and telling Nero of his plan to take the world for himself instead of the "Dawning One". However, Goliath soon becomes frustrated with Nero's constant taunting and begins to attack him. After their battle Goliath is injured but still determined to take over the underworld, however he is soon attacked by V himself. Severely weakened, he asks "Why?" as V pierces Goliath with his cane, killing him. Nico then arrives and takes one of Goliaths remaining horns.