1 Samuel 17:49
And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
1 Samuel 17:49 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the book of 1 Samuel describes the famous story of David and Goliath, a tale of courage and faith. When David faced the giant Philistine warrior Goliath in battle, he did not rely on conventional weapons or armor. Instead, he chose to confront his enemy with just a sling and a stone. David's actions symbolize the power of faith and divine intervention in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. By putting his trust in God and using the skills he had honed while tending his father's sheep, David was able to defeat Goliath and emerge victorious. This story serves as a reminder that with faith and determination, even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse can be seen through the theme of David's faith in God. The act of David putting his hand in his bag to select a stone and slinging it at Goliath demonstrates his trust in God's power to deliver him in battle. Despite facing a fearsome opponent, David's confidence in God's ability to grant him victory is unwavering. Additionally, the word "sunk" in the verse suggests the force and accuracy of David's throw, highlighting the idea that God enabled David to strike Goliath precisely where he would be most vulnerable. This event serves as a testament to the belief that with God on our side, even the seemingly insurmountable challenges in our lives can be overcome. Through this act of faith, David displayed not only his own courage and skill but also his unwavering trust in the power of God to provide the victory.
1 Samuel 17:49 in other translations
American Standard Version
And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth.
World English Bible
David put his hand in his bag, took a stone, and slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.
Douay-Rheims
And he put his hand into his scrip, and took a stone, and cast it with the sling, and fetching it about, struck the Philistine in the forehead, and he fell on his face upon the earth.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Dauid put his hande in his bagge, and tooke out a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistim in his forehead, that the stone sticked in his forehead, and he fell groueling to the earth.