While visiting the giant Goliath (Todd Rippon), an old friend who has been working as a guard for the Philistine leader Dagon (Calvin Tuteao), Xena (Lucy Lawless) watches as a group of Israelites is arrested for hunting game in the Philistine forests. Convinced that Dagon is trying to enslave the half-starved prisoners and their people, she turns to Goliath for help in freeing them. Goliath, however, can think of nothing but revenge against a rival giant named Gareth (Jim Ngaata) for his family's murder. His work for Dagon pays well and he refuses to give up the money, which will enable him to track down his enemy.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) pays a secret visit to the Israelites' cell to bring them food. When she arrives, young David (Antony Starr) rushes to cover up a hole he has been digging in the dirt floor. She quickly reassures him, his brother Jonathan (Dale Corlett) and the other prisoners that Xena is no longer the evil warrior they have feared in the past and she intends to help them escape. But before she can elaborate, a soldier arrives, having spotted a mound of fresh dirt outside the cell window. When Dagon condemns the prisoners to death for trying to escape, Gabrielle dramatically throws herself over David's body just as he is about to be beheaded. Not caring much for her grand gesture, the Philistine executioner simply ties her down alongside the brave young Israelite and prepares to take two heads instead of one.
Xena arrives in the nick to time to deflect the executioner's blade with her chakram, alerting Goliath in the process. Swords clash and staffs crack as the prisoners fight for their lives against the Philistines. They are finally able to escape on horseback to the castle of King Saul (Dennis Hally), where the leader of the Israelites gratefully welcomes his returning sons David and Jonathan. When word arrives that the Philistine army is already on the move to attack, Xena valiantly proposes a winner-take-all battle between her and Goliath, though the prospect of fighting her old friend -- who at one time saved her life -- is a very unhappy one. Jonathan dispatches a messenger with the challenge and while they wait, Gabrielle and David share stories and psalms with each other.
The next morning, Dagon arrives at the castle with his army to accept Xena's challenge. He has enticed the reluctant Goliath into agreeing to the match by promising to tell him where he can find Gareth if he wins the battle. The giant soon shows up sporting a brass helmet which completely covers the bridge of his nose, his only vulnerable spot. But as soon as the fight begins, Dagon breaks his word and orders his archers to fire on the Israelites. Xena breaks away from Goliath to help them repel the attack and most are able to flee to the safety of a nearby cave. Jonathan, however, is killed in the battle. When he realizes he's lost his brother, young David vows to the mantle of leadership and confront Goliath single-handedly. The next day, the two armies face each other as David, armed with only his sling, steps forth to meet the giant. Xena forces Goliath to remove his helmet, which had protected him earlier from her chakram, by having the Israelite soldiers hold up their brass shields to reflect the sun's rays directly onto its surface. Unable to stand the searing heat, Goliath tears off the helmet, making himself vulnerable to David's sling. At that moment, David lets loose a stone which strikes Goliath in the forehead, sending him crashing to the ground.
Guest Starring: Todd Rippon (Goliath), Anthony Starr (David), Calvin Tuteao (Dagon), Dale Corlett (Jonathan), Dennis Hally (King Saul), Emma Brunette (Sarah), John Leonard (Soldier), Brad Homan (Head Archer)
Starring: Lucy Lawless as Xena, Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Gary Jones