Sa mu el 68 a ) Why were Saul and his troops so panicked by Goliath’s chal - ( lenge ? Certainly, he was a giant and heavily armed . But the Israelites could have sent dozens or even a hundred brave soldiers that would surround him and his arms bearer, attack both from all sides, tire them, and injure Goliath repeatedly, until he collapsed . Surely, he would smite not a few of his attackers . Nonetheless, at the end of the day, he would be exhausted and overpowered . Indeed, Goliath stipulated that he expected just one combatant for a duel . But the Israelites were in a state of war with the Philistines, so why would they be obliged to comply with Goliath’s stipulation ? They could ignore him and stick to their own tactics by sending a company of troops to kill him . b ) If Goliath’s challenge was against the Israelites’ best interests, ( why would not the King and his troops ignore Goliath, and meet the Philistine army head - on in an all - out war ? The text implies that Goliath’s pr...
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