1 Samuel 17:49

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} put {H7971} his hand {H3027} in his bag {H3627}, and took {H3947} thence a stone {H68}, and slang {H7049} it, and smote {H5221} the Philistine {H6430} in his forehead {H4696}, that the stone {H68} sunk {H2883} into his forehead {H4696}; and he fell {H5307} upon his face {H6440} to the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, and hurled it with his sling. It struck the P'lishti in his forehead and buried itself in his forehead, so that he fell face down on the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:49 vividly recounts the decisive moment of David's victory over Goliath, where the young shepherd, empowered by God, slings a single stone that strikes the Philistine giant in the forehead with such force that it penetrates his skull, causing him to fall face down to the earth. This verse serves as the dramatic climax of the narrative, marking the immediate and undeniable defeat of Israel's formidable adversary and showcasing the triumph of divine power and humble faith over overwhelming human might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of the confrontation between David and Goliath, which spans the majority of [1 Samuel chapter 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"). Prior to this moment, the Philistine giant, Goliath, had for forty days challenged the armies of Israel to send a champion to fight him, effectively paralyzing them with fear ([1 Samuel 17:10-11](/1_samuel/17-10 "1 Samuel 17:10-11 - Goliath's Challenge and Israel's Fear")). David, a young shepherd boy, arrives on the scene, hears Goliath's blasphemous taunts against the living God, and is filled with righteous indignation. Despite King Saul's skepticism and Goliath's derision, David confidently declares his reliance on the Lord of Hosts ([1 Samuel 17:45](/1_samuel/17-45 "1 Samuel 17:45 - David's Declaration of Faith")). The verses immediately preceding 17:49 describe David's refusal of Saul's armor and his simple preparation with his staff, sling, and five smooth stones ([1 Samuel 17:40](/1_samuel/17-40 "1 Samuel 17:40 - David Prepares for Battle")), setting the stage for this miraculous and pivotal strike.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a formidable military power in the ancient Near East, often clashing with the Israelites for control of territory in the coastal plains and central highlands. Their advanced iron weaponry and organized military structure posed a constant threat to early Israel, which was still consolidating its kingdom under Saul. The practice of champions fighting on behalf of their armies was not uncommon in ancient warfare, intended to minimize casualties. Goliath, described as over nine feet tall and heavily armored ([1 Samuel 17:4-7](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4-7 - Description of Goliath")), represented the pinnacle of Philistine military might and pagan defiance. David, on the other hand, was a shepherd, a seemingly insignificant and unequipped individual in a society that valued military prowess. His weapon, the sling, though effective in the hands of a skilled user, was typically associated with shepherds defending their flocks, not with warriors facing armored giants. This contrast highlights the cultural expectations of the time and underscores the unconventional nature of David's victory.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the book of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of the Kingdom"). Foremost is the theme of **divine sovereignty and empowerment**, demonstrating that victory in battle belongs to the Lord, not to human strength or weaponry ([1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the Lord's")). It showcases the principle that **God uses the weak and overlooked to accomplish His mighty purposes**, confounding the wisdom and strength of the world, a theme echoed in other biblical narratives. The story also highlights **the power of unwavering faith** in God's promises, contrasting David's bold trust with the fear and paralysis of the Israelite army and their king ([1 Samuel 17:24](/1_samuel/17-24 "1 Samuel 17:24 - Israel's Fear")). Furthermore, it marks a significant moment in **David's rise to prominence**, foreshadowing his future role as Israel's king and God's chosen leader, a central narrative arc of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Rise of the Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slang (קלע, _qala'_):** This archaic English word, meaning "to sling" or "to cast," perfectly captures the action. The Hebrew verb _qala'_ implies not just throwing but doing so with skill, precision, and force. It suggests David's practiced expertise as a shepherd, honed by defending his flock from predators, now divinely directed to a far greater purpose. The choice of this word emphasizes the human instrument's proficiency, which becomes an extension of divine will.
* **Smote (נכה, _nakah_):** The Hebrew verb _nakah_ is a common and versatile term meaning "to strike," "to smite," or "to beat." In this context, it denotes a decisive and impactful blow, often with fatal consequences. Its usage here highlights the direct, forceful, and effective nature of David's action, leading immediately to Goliath's downfall. It's not a glancing blow but a direct hit with significant power.
* **Sunk (טבע, _taba'_):** The Hebrew verb _taba'_ means "to sink," "to be submerged," or "to penetrate." This word is crucial as it emphasizes the depth and finality of the stone's impact. It didn't just hit Goliath; it penetrated his skull, indicating a catastrophic and fatal injury. This detail underscores the overwhelming power behind the seemingly simple stone, ensuring Goliath's instantaneous and irreversible defeat.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David put his hand in his bag,"**: This opening clause establishes David's deliberate and prepared action. The "bag" (likely a shepherd's pouch) held the smooth stones he had selected from the brook ([1 Samuel 17:40](/1_samuel/17-40 "1 Samuel 17:40 - David's Preparation")). It signifies his readiness and the culmination of his faith-filled approach to the giant, contrasting sharply with the elaborate preparations of a conventional warrior.
* **"and took thence a stone,"**: This simple act underscores the seemingly inadequate nature of David's weapon. It was not a sword or spear, but a single, ordinary stone. This detail magnifies the miraculous outcome, emphasizing that the victory was not due to the weapon's inherent power but to the power of God working through it.
* **"and slang [it],"**: This phrase describes the swift and powerful action of David's sling. It highlights his skill and the force he generated, but more importantly, it points to the moment of execution where human effort meets divine empowerment. The "it" refers to the stone, the humble instrument of God's deliverance.
* **"and smote the Philistine in his forehead,"**: This is the critical point of impact. The forehead, though seemingly protected by Goliath's helmet, was the precise target. This precision suggests divine guidance, ensuring the blow was not random but perfectly aimed to achieve its intended effect. It was a direct, head-on confrontation, physically and symbolically.
* **"that the stone sunk into his forehead;"**: This clause details the devastating effect of the blow. The stone's penetration into Goliath's skull signifies the fatal nature of the injury. It is a graphic and powerful description of the immediate and overwhelming defeat, leaving no doubt about the severity of the impact and the finality of Goliath's demise.
* **"and he fell upon his face to the earth."**: This final clause describes the immediate consequence of the fatal blow. Goliath's collapse, face down, is a posture of utter defeat and humiliation. The mighty giant, who had defied the armies of God, is brought low by a single stone from a shepherd boy, fulfilling David's earlier declaration that the battle belonged to the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 1 Samuel 17:49 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological message. It functions as the **Climax** of the entire confrontation, the moment of ultimate tension release and resolution. The stark contrast between David's simple weapon and Goliath's heavy armor creates powerful **Irony** and **Understatement**, emphasizing that human might is nothing before divine power. The precision of the stone's trajectory and its fatal impact strongly suggest **Divine Intervention** or **Providence**, where God's unseen hand guides David's action. The stone itself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing not merely a physical projectile but an instrument of God's judgment and deliverance. Goliath's fall, specifically "upon his face to the earth," is a vivid **Imagery** that conveys utter defeat, shame, and the reversal of fortunes, a common biblical motif for the downfall of the proud. The entire scene serves as a **Type** or **Foreshadowing** of God's consistent pattern of using the humble to overcome the arrogant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The triumph of David over Goliath, encapsulated in 1 Samuel 17:49, is a profound theological statement about the nature of God and His interaction with humanity. It unequivocally declares that true strength and victory do not reside in human might, military prowess, or impressive stature, but in the sovereign power of the Lord. David's faith-filled action, coupled with the stone's impossible precision and devastating impact, serves as a testament to God's ability to use the seemingly weak and insignificant to accomplish His grand purposes, confounding the wisdom and strength of the world. This narrative reinforces the biblical principle that God delights in demonstrating His power through humble vessels, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone. It is a timeless reminder that when we face "giants" in our lives—whether they be overwhelming challenges, fears, or adversaries—our ultimate reliance must be on God, for the battle is truly His.

* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "The Lord Fights For You")
* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - God's Deliverance, Not Human Strength")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not By Might Nor By Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid account of 1 Samuel 17:49 is not merely a historical record of a past victory but a living narrative that speaks directly to the human condition and the life of faith today. We all encounter "giants" in our lives—formidable challenges, overwhelming fears, systemic injustices, or personal struggles that seem insurmountable. This verse calls us to move beyond human assessment of strength and weakness and to embrace a God-centered perspective. Like David, we are invited to approach our "giants" not with conventional weapons or self-reliance, but with an unwavering faith in the living God, who is infinitely greater than any obstacle. It encourages us to trust in God's unconventional methods, to recognize that He often works through humble means and seemingly inadequate resources to display His glory. Our courage is not born of our own might, but of our confidence in God's power and His faithfulness to deliver. This passage is a powerful reminder that with God, even the smallest individual can achieve extraordinary victories, and that true spiritual battles are won not by human strength, but by divine intervention in response to humble, audacious faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" are you currently facing in your life that seem overwhelming or impossible to defeat?**
* **How does David's reliance on God, rather than conventional weaponry, challenge your own approach to difficult situations?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to step out in faith, even when you feel inadequately equipped or small in the face of a challenge?**
* **How does the precision of David's strike, and the stone sinking into Goliath's forehead, speak to the effectiveness of God's power in your life?**

### FAQ

**Was David's victory purely a result of his skill, or was there divine intervention?**

Answer: While David was undoubtedly skilled with the sling, honed by years of protecting his flock, the narrative strongly emphasizes divine intervention. David himself declares that he comes "in the name of the Lord of hosts" ([1 Samuel 17:45](/1_samuel/17-45 "1 Samuel 17:45 - David's Declaration of Faith")) and that "the battle is the Lord's" ([1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the Lord's")). The precision of the shot, striking Goliath in the only vulnerable spot and penetrating his forehead, suggests a miraculous element beyond mere human ability. It was David's skill empowered and guided by God's sovereign hand, demonstrating that God often uses humble human instruments to achieve His mighty purposes.

**Why did Goliath fall "upon his face to the earth" instead of backward?**

Answer: The detail that Goliath fell "upon his face to the earth" is significant. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, falling face down (prostration) was a posture of submission, defeat, and humiliation. For a giant who had openly defied the God of Israel and mocked His people, this manner of falling was a powerful symbolic act of utter disgrace and the complete reversal of his arrogant posture. It underscored the absolute and undeniable nature of his defeat at the hands of a seemingly insignificant opponent, fulfilling the prophetic nature of David's faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David and Goliath, culminating in the decisive blow of 1 Samuel 17:49, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over the forces of sin, death, and Satan. Just as David, a humble shepherd, stood against a seemingly invincible giant who defied God's people, so Jesus, the Good Shepherd ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd")), confronted the ultimate adversary. The world expected a mighty warrior-king to deliver Israel, yet God chose a humble, unassuming figure to achieve victory through seemingly weak means. Jesus's victory was not achieved through conventional power or military might, but through His sacrificial death on the cross, an act that appeared to be weakness to the world but was, in fact, the decisive blow against the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). The stone that struck Goliath's forehead can be seen as a type of Christ Himself, the "stone the builders rejected that has become the cornerstone" ([Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Rejected Stone"); [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Cornerstone")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus delivered a fatal blow to the head of the serpent, fulfilling the ancient promise of [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"), and ensuring that all who trust in Him share in His ultimate and eternal triumph over every "giant" of sin and death.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1 Corinthians 1:28

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1 Kings 22:34

And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

2 Kings 9:24

And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.