David and Goliath TabTale iPad App
In its press release of 11 February 2011, TabTale announces an interactive ’David and Goliath’ app for iPad (and iPhone, iPod touch, etc, etc):
Built on TabTale creative driven platform for rapid creation of high-quality interactive content for smart devices – The Story of David and Goliath brings to life the breathtaking battle between young David, the future king of Israel and Goliath, the giant philistine warier [sic]. Full with innovative and engaging activities built within the app, TabTale helps stimulate children`s creativity and imagination in an enjoyable and interactive way, like never seen before.
- ‘TabTale Release First Interactive Bible Tale Children’s App For iPad’
The app describes Goliath as a “giant - the size of a mountain”. However, in the illustrations he is about twice the size of the Philistines – not really mountain-sized at all. (Although, there is a mountain behind him with which, in forced perspective, he is the same size. And there is a long association of Giants with mountains, with Giants sometimes getting trapped under them.) Goliath is not explicitly described as a “Giant” in 1 Samuel 17, although his height in the proto-Masoretic text implies he is a Giant, because he is just under 10 feet tall - about twice the average size of humans in the Levant in antiquity. The story is retold in badly rhyming couplets:
"A mighty giant - the size of a mountain"
A shield on the right arm?? Not likely for a warrior. (Compare the biblical account, which mentions shield-bearers.)
It’s available at the iTunes store, as are earlier stories in the series, ‘Goldilocks’ and ‘Christmas Tale’. The story of Noah’s Ark is coming out later this year.
But I thought Elhanan killed Goliath! These guys need to get their story straight.