1 Samuel Chapter 17 · Verse 50
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֶּֽחֱזַ֨ק
prevailed
H2388
וַיֶּֽחֱזַ֨ק
prevailed
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
1 of 14
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
מִן
over
H4480
מִן
over
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י
the Philistine
H6430
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י
the Philistine
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
4 of 14
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
בַּקֶּ֣לַע
with a sling
H7050
בַּקֶּ֣לַע
with a sling
Strong's:
H7050
Word #:
5 of 14
a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself
וַיַּ֥ךְ
and smote
H5221
וַיַּ֥ךְ
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
7 of 14
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י
the Philistine
H6430
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י
the Philistine
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
9 of 14
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וַיְמִתֵ֑הוּ
and slew
H4191
וַיְמִתֵ֑הוּ
and slew
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
10 of 14
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְחֶ֖רֶב
him but there was no sword
H2719
וְחֶ֖רֶב
him but there was no sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
11 of 14
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
Judges 15:15And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.1 Samuel 17:39And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.1 Samuel 23:21And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.1 Samuel 21:9And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
Historical Context
The author's emphasis on David's lack of sword highlights the miraculous nature of victory. Standard combat required close-quarter weapons after initial engagement. David's victory subverted every military expectation of his era.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God deliberately use inadequate resources to ensure He receives glory for victories?
- What does this principle mean for your evaluation of your own resources for spiritual battles?
Analysis & Commentary
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
The narrative emphasizes 'there was no sword in the hand of David' - victory came through means humanly insufficient, ensuring God received glory. This verse summarizes the theological point: divine power, not human weaponry, determines outcomes. David's lack of conventional weapons made God's intervention unmistakable. The same pattern appears throughout Scripture: God chooses weak instruments to shame the strong.