1 Samuel 17:7
And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
The shaft of his spear was as thick as a weaver's beam, its iron point weighed six hundred shekels, and a shield-bearer walked ahead of him. These details set forth the exceptional size of his weapons and protection. His heavy armor and weapons made him a picture of great strength and apparent invincibility, showing the formidable scale and appearance of the Philistine champion.
The Philistines used him to challenge Israel to single combat, and his terrifying presence kept Saul and the Israelite army afraid and unable to begin battle. He was a proud, boasting giant in defiance of Israel and the armies of Israel. Leaving his defiance unanswered would dishonor God, so his challenge had to be met.
He pictures opponents of Sabbath truth whose great outward strength hides real weakness. Such defiance is defeated not by sharp and severe dealing but by simple truth presented with dignity and calm self-control under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, like the small pebbles David used, exposing the boaster's weakness and giving victory to truth. His defiant, boastful confidence also pictures ministers who provoke debate and rely on prepared arguments rather than humbly trusting God, and such self-confidence can lead to defeat and harm.
His defiance provides a comparison for Porter's contemptuous abuse and ridicule of Brother Hare, presenting Porter as a proud boaster opposing God's people. His boastful, ridiculing defiance is repeated by opponents of God's work who speak with bombast, ridicule, bold assertions, falsehood and misrepresentation while taking on the appearance of godliness. They carry things with a high, boasting spirit that draws a noisy rabble.