1 Samuel 21:9
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 31
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
חֶרֶב֩
The sword
H2719
חֶרֶב֩
The sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
3 of 31
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜י
the Philistine
H6430
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜י
the Philistine
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
5 of 31
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִכִּ֣יתָ׀
whom thou slewest
H5221
הִכִּ֣יתָ׀
whom thou slewest
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
7 of 31
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
הָֽאֵלָ֗ה
of Elah
H425
הָֽאֵלָ֗ה
of Elah
Strong's:
H425
Word #:
9 of 31
elah, the name of an edomite, of four israelites, and also of a place in palestine
הִ֞יא
H1931
הִ֞יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
11 of 31
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
behind
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
behind
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
14 of 31
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הָֽאֵפוֹד֒
the ephod
H646
הָֽאֵפוֹד֒
the ephod
Strong's:
H646
Word #:
15 of 31
a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
16 of 31
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֹתָ֤הּ
H853
אֹתָ֤הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קָ֔ח
if thou wilt take
H3947
קָ֔ח
if thou wilt take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
18 of 31
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
קָ֔ח
if thou wilt take
H3947
קָ֔ח
if thou wilt take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
20 of 31
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַחֶ֛רֶת
it for there is no other
H312
אַחֶ֛רֶת
it for there is no other
Strong's:
H312
Word #:
23 of 31
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
זֽוּלָתָ֖הּ
save
H2108
זֽוּלָתָ֖הּ
save
Strong's:
H2108
Word #:
24 of 31
probably scattering, i.e., removal; used adverbially, except
בָּזֶ֑ה
that here
H2088
בָּזֶ֑ה
that here
Strong's:
H2088
Word #:
25 of 31
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
Historical Context
Dedicating enemy weapons to deity was common in the ancient Near East. The sword's preservation 'wrapped in a cloth' indicates reverent treatment of this trophy. Its location 'behind the ephod' suggests the innermost part of the sanctuary area.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Goliath's swords'—reminders of past victories—does God provide in your current battles?
- How do you commemorate God's past faithfulness to strengthen present faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And 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.
The appearance of Goliath's sword creates powerful narrative symmetry. David's exclamation 'there is none like that' (Hebrew 'ein kamohu') echoes his earlier declaration about Goliath's spear (17:7). The sword had been dedicated as a trophy and stored behind the ephod—the priestly garment used for divine consultation. Now the weapon that once threatened Israel returns to its conqueror's hand. This providential provision reminded David of God's past faithfulness: the same God who gave victory over Goliath would preserve him from Saul. The passage illustrates how memorials of past deliverance strengthen faith for present trials.