>> Iron spearhead aside, given that Goliath's armament is that of a
typical
>> Greek hoplite, replete with shield-bearer (1 Sam. 17:3-5), a rather late
>> date is indicated.
>
> This claim was made several years ago by Israel Finkelstein of TAU. But:
>
> 1. The description is generic enough to be read like practically anything.
>
> 2. Since we have no idea what a 10th century Philistine warrior looked like
> (the Medinat Habu pictures are 200 years earlier), this is an argument from
> silence.
>
> 3. Even assuming that he is correct, this could be the result of a late
> redactor "filling in" details from his own experience.
>
> Dr. Yigal Levin
A number of examples of anachronisms relating to David are also listed at
D. Redford, Egypt, _Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times_ (Princeton:
Princeton University Press, 1992) 304-5. I personally find such cumulative
evidence of late date persuasive.