In the later system the front ranks locked shields and presented a hedge of thrusting spears whilst the rear ranks kept up a continual barrage of missiles over the heads of the front rankers.
5Another battle also was fought against the Philistines, in which Adeodatus the son of Saltus a Bethlehemite slew the brother of Goliath the Gethite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.