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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Samuel 17:48–58.
Here is 1. The engagement between the two champions, Sa1 17:48. To this engagement the Philistine advanced with a great deal of state and gravity; if he must encounter a pigmy, yet it shall be with the magnificence of a giant and a grandee. This is intimated in the manner of expression: He arose, and came, and drew nigh, like a stalking mountain, overlaid with brass and iron, to meet David. David advanced with no less activity and cheerfulness, as one that aimed more to do execution than to make a figure: He hasted, and ran, being lightly clad, to meet the Philistine. We may imagine with what tenderness and compassion the Israelites saw such a pleasing youth as this throwing himself into the mouth of destruction, but he knew whom he had believed and for whom he acted. 2. The fall of Goliath in this engagement. He was in no haste, because in no fear, but confident that he should soon at one stroke cleave his adversary's head; but, while he was preparing to do it solemnly, David did his business effectually, without any parade: he slang a stone which hit him in the forehead, and, in the twinkling of an eye, fetched him to the ground, Sa1 17:49. Goliath knew there were famous slingers in Israel (Jdg 20:16), yet was either so forgetful or presumptuous as to go with the beaver of his helmet open, and thither, to the only part left exposed, not so much David's art as God's providence directed the stone, and brought it with such force that it sunk into his head, notwithstanding the impudence with which his forehead was brazened. See how frail and uncertain life is, even when it thinks itself best fortified, and how quickly, how easily, and with how small a matter, the passage may be opened for life to go out and death to enter. Goliath himself has not power over the spirit to retain the spirit, Ecc 8:8. Let not the strong man glory in his strength, nor the armed man in his armour. See how God resists the proud and pours contempt upon those that bid defiance to him and his people. None ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. One of the Rabbin thinks that when Goliath said to David, Come, and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of the air, he threw up his head so hastily that his helmet fell off, and so left his broad forehead a fair mark for David. To complete the execution, David drew Goliath's own sword, a two-handed weapon for David, and with it cut off his head, Sa1 17:51. What need had David to take a sword of his own? his enemy's sword shall serve his purpose, when he has occasion for one. God is greatly glorified when his proud enemies are cut off with their own sword and he makes their own tongues to fall upon them, Psa 64:8. David's victory over Goliath was typical of the triumphs of the son of David over Satan and all the powers of darkness, whom he spoiled, and made a show of them openly (Col 2:15), and we through him are more than conquerors. 3. The defeat of the Philistines' army hereupon. They relied wholly upon the strength of their champion, and therefore, when they saw him slain, they did not, as Goliath had offered, throw down their arms and surrender themselves servants to Israel (Sa1 17:9), but took to their heels, being wholly dispirited, and thinking it to no purpose to oppose one before whom such a mighty man had fallen: They fled (Sa1 17:51), and this put life into the Israelites, who shouted and pursued them (David, it is probable, leading them on in the pursuit) even to the gates of their own cities, Sa1 17:52. In their return from the chase they seized all the baggage, plundered the tents (Sa1 17:53), and enriched themselves with the spoil. 4. David's disposal of his trophies, Sa1 17:54. He brought the head of the Philistine to Jerusalem, to be a terror to the Jebusites, who held the strong-hold of Sion: it is probable that he carried it in triumph to other cities. His armour he laid up in his tent; only the sword was preserved behind the ephod in the tabernacle, as consecrated to God, and a memorial of the victory to his honour, Sa1 21:9. 5. The notice that was taken of David. Though he had been at court formerly, yet, having been for some time absent (Sa1 17:15), Saul had forgotten him, being melancholy and mindless, and little thinking that his musician would have spirit enough to be his champion; and therefore, as if he had never seen him before, he asked whose son he was. Abner was a stranger to him, but brought him to Saul (Sa1 17:57), and he gave a modest account of himself, Sa1 17:58. And now he was introduced to the court with much greater advantages than before, in which he owned God's hand performing all things for him.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
And when David had no sword in his hand, etc. When he had no one and the Lord of his word's minister, through whom he might shatter the pride of the devil by teaching, except whom he himself had first snatched victoriously from the devil; for all are by nature children of wrath, all conceived in iniquities, and in sins are generated by the mother (Ephesians V; Psalm L); he came unexpectedly, and the adversary long strong, as a stronger surpassing him, took away all his weapons, in which he trusted, so that through those whom the enemy previously as his weapons used to kill the souls of the wretched, through them afterward the Savior, transformed into weapons of righteousness, may cut off the head of iniquity from its body, that is, compel those converted to faith to anathematize Satan, and renounce all his works and pomps. And rightly is it recounted that David first took the sword with which he slew the Philistine by his hand, and drew it out of its sheath; because every great and strenuous one of the devil's empire, whom the Lord first receiving by his visitation of piety, draws out from the obscure hiding places of errors into the light of liberating grace; and so through him also allows others to be similarly corrected and reproved. But we too, when disputing against the madness of heretics, we convict them as fabricators of lies and cultivators of perverse doctrines, either by the arguments or by the testimonies of Scripture which they themselves had proposed to bring us back; indeed, with the giant's own sword we strike down his insolence.
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Summary
1 Samuel 17:50 vividly recounts the decisive climax of David's confrontation with Goliath, the Philistine champion. This pivotal verse declares David's absolute triumph, achieved not through conventional military might or the weaponry of a seasoned warrior, but through the seemingly humble instruments of a sling and a single stone. It powerfully underscores the profound truth of divine intervention and the victory of unwavering faith over overwhelming physical superiority, setting the stage for David's emergence as Israel's appointed deliverer and future king.
Context
Literary Context
This verse stands as the dramatic crescendo of the epic narrative detailed in 1 Samuel 17. The preceding verses meticulously set the scene, describing the Philistine army's encampment and their formidable champion, Goliath, who for forty days defiantly challenged Israel to single combat, paralyzing King Saul and his army with fear. David, a young shepherd boy, arrives at the battlefield to deliver provisions to his brothers and is deeply offended by Goliath's blasphemous taunts against "the armies of the living God" (1 Samuel 17:26). Driven by righteous indignation and profound faith, David volunteers to fight, famously rejecting Saul's heavy armor and choosing instead his shepherd's staff, sling, and five smooth stones, declaring his trust in the Lord God of Israel as his true weapon (1 Samuel 17:38-40). Verse 50 immediately follows David's swift and divinely empowered strike that felled the giant, leading directly to the Philistines' chaotic rout.
Historical & Cultural Context
The period described in 1 Samuel was characterized by persistent conflict between Israel and the Philistines, marked by territorial disputes and the Philistines' military advantage, particularly their superior iron weaponry, which the Israelites largely lacked. The practice of "champion warfare," where two armies selected their strongest warriors to fight on behalf of their respective nations, was an ancient Near Eastern custom, though less common, designed to minimize widespread casualties. Goliath, depicted as an imposing figure over nine feet tall and clad in heavy bronze armor, epitomized Philistine military prowess and pagan defiance. In stark contrast, David was a youthful, unarmored shepherd, symbolizing the humble, nascent Israelite monarchy and, more significantly, the manifest power of God. The battle's location, the Valley of Elah, was strategically vital, controlling crucial access routes between the Philistine coastal plain and the Judean hills.
Key Themes
The narrative of David and Goliath, culminating in 1 Samuel 17:50, powerfully illustrates several core theological and narrative themes. Foremost is the theme of Divine Empowerment and Sovereignty, demonstrating unequivocally that God's power is not constrained by human weakness or conventional means, as vividly articulated by David's declaration that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47). This victory also profoundly underscores the theme of Faith Over Might, contrasting David's unwavering trust in God with Israel's paralyzing fear and reliance on human strength, exemplified by Saul's futile attempts to equip David with conventional armor. It serves as a powerful illustration of how God frequently chooses the seemingly weak and foolish to confound the strong and wise, a principle echoed profoundly in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Finally, the narrative emphasizes God's Deliverance and the Rise of a New Leader, as David's miraculous victory not only liberates Israel from Philistine oppression but also unmistakably marks him as God's chosen instrument, foreshadowing his future kingship and the establishment of a righteous monarchy.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb signifies "to fasten upon," "to seize," and fundamentally, "to be strong," "to become mighty," or "to conquer." In this context, it denotes David's decisive and complete mastery over Goliath, indicating an irreversible outcome achieved through divine enablement. It emphasizes not merely a temporary advantage but an absolute and enduring triumph.
This refers to a simple, common tool used by shepherds for protection and herding. Its mention here highlights the humble and unconventional nature of David's chosen weapon, contrasting sharply with Goliath's formidable military arsenal. The use of the sling underscores the central theme that God often employs ordinary and seemingly insignificant means to accomplish extraordinary and miraculous feats.
This term denotes a "cutting instrument" or "sharp implement," primarily a sword, known for its destructive effect. The explicit statement that there was "no sword in the hand of David" is a powerful negation. It serves to highlight the miraculous nature of the victory, attributing it not to David's personal combat skill with conventional weaponry, but to the direct, unassisted intervention of God. This absence of a sword emphasizes that the decisive blow was achieved without human military might.
Verse Breakdown
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone"
This opening clause immediately establishes David as the victor and highlights the unconventional, seemingly inadequate instruments of his triumph. "Prevailed" (from châzaq) signifies a complete and decisive mastery, underscoring that David's victory was absolute. The mention of "a sling and with a stone" immediately draws attention to the humble and unexpected tools God chose to use, setting up the central paradox of the narrative: the weak overcoming the strong through divine power.
"and smote the Philistine, and slew him"
This phrase emphasizes the decisive, fatal, and immediate nature of David's single blow. The use of two strong verbs ("smote" and "slew") reinforces the finality and effectiveness of the action, leaving no doubt about Goliath's immediate demise as a direct consequence of the stone's impact. It confirms that the confrontation was definitively resolved in David's favor.
"but [there was] no sword in the hand of David"
This concluding clause serves as a powerful theological and literary emphasis, explicitly stating the absence of a conventional warrior's weapon. It creates a stark contrast between David's simple shepherd's tools and Goliath's elaborate armor and weaponry. This crucial detail ensures that the victory is attributed not to David's personal military prowess or superior armament, but solely to the miraculous power of God working through a humble and unexpected vessel, thereby giving all glory to the Lord.
Literary Devices
1 Samuel 17:50 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. Irony is central to the verse, as the mighty, armored Philistine giant is defeated by a young, unarmored shepherd boy using a simple sling and stone, rather than a conventional sword. This stark contrast between human expectations and the divine reality powerfully underscores the miraculous nature of the victory. Emphasis is achieved through the explicit negation, "but [there was] no sword in the hand of David," which conspicuously highlights the unconventional means of triumph and deliberately redirects the reader's attention away from human strength and towards divine intervention. The repetition of "smote the Philistine, and slew him" further serves as a form of Emphasis, reinforcing the finality and decisiveness of the blow. Furthermore, the sling and stone function as powerful Symbolism, representing God's ability to use the humble, the overlooked, and the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His grand purposes, directly contrasting with the worldly reliance on physical strength and weaponry that Goliath embodies.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The victory of David over Goliath, as succinctly summarized in 1 Samuel 17:50, serves as a foundational narrative for understanding God's character and His distinctive methods of working in the world. It powerfully illustrates that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, and His victories are frequently achieved through means that defy human logic, conventional wisdom, and worldly expectations. This narrative establishes a recurring biblical theme: God delights in using the humble, the overlooked, and the seemingly ill-equipped to bring about His sovereign purposes, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone. It profoundly teaches that true power lies not in physical might, worldly resources, or human ingenuity, but in unwavering faith and obedient reliance upon the Lord, who is the ultimate deliverer and the source of all victory.
Reflection and Application
The timeless account of David's victory over Goliath, powerfully summarized in 1 Samuel 17:50, offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. We all inevitably face "giants" in our lives—whether they are overwhelming challenges, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, persistent personal struggles, or intense spiritual battles that threaten to paralyze us with fear and despair. This verse serves as a potent reminder that our potential for victory is not dependent on our own strength, vast resources, or conventional human wisdom, but rather on our unwavering trust in the living God. Like David, we are called to confront our giants not with the world's heavy armor or sophisticated weaponry, but with the simple, yet infinitely potent, tools of faith, fervent prayer, and steadfast obedience to God's Word. It encourages us to step out in audacious courage, knowing with certainty that the battle truly belongs to the Lord, and that He delights in using ordinary people and humble means to accomplish extraordinary things, thereby demonstrating His boundless power and unwavering faithfulness in ways that bring Him the most glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did David not use a sword from the beginning, and what is the significance of the phrase "no sword in the hand of David"?
David did not use a sword from the beginning primarily because he was a shepherd, not a trained warrior, and he explicitly refused King Saul's armor and sword, finding them cumbersome and unfamiliar (1 Samuel 17:38-39). More profoundly, David's approach was a deliberate and profound act of faith, choosing to trust in God's power rather than human weaponry or military might. The phrase "no sword in the hand of David" is immensely significant because it powerfully underscores the miraculous and divinely orchestrated nature of the victory. It highlights that David's triumph was not due to his own combat skill or superior armament, but solely to the power of God working through him. This crucial detail ensures that the credit for Goliath's defeat is attributed entirely to the Lord, emphasizing David's earlier declaration that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47). It also sets up the dramatic irony of David later using Goliath's own sword to complete the victory by decapitating the giant (1 Samuel 17:51), further cementing the idea that God turned the enemy's strength against him.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The victory of David over Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:50 serves as a profound Old Testament type, pointing with remarkable clarity to the ultimate and decisive victory of Jesus Christ. David, the humble shepherd, chosen by God to deliver His people from a seemingly invincible enemy, powerfully foreshadows Christ, the Good Shepherd and true King, who came in ultimate humility to deliver humanity from the far greater, spiritual giants of sin, death, and the devil. Just as David fought without a conventional sword, relying solely on God's power through simple means, Christ achieved His decisive victory not through worldly power, military might, or human wisdom, but through the ultimate act of humility and self-sacrificial love on the cross. His apparent weakness and defeat on the cross were, in fact, the very means by which He "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Colossians 2:15). Through His death and glorious resurrection, Christ, like David, "smote" the enemy, "slew him" (destroying the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, as illuminated in Hebrews 2:14-15), and prevailed over the spiritual Goliath that held all humanity captive. His victory, achieved not with a sword of war but with the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17), ensures eternal deliverance and life for all who put their faith in Him, thereby fulfilling the ancient promise of a deliverer who would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15).