1 Samuel 17:50

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So David {H1732} prevailed {H2388} over {H4480} the Philistine {H6430} with a sling {H7050} and with a stone {H68}, and smote {H5221} the Philistine {H6430}, and slew {H4191} him; but there was no sword {H2719} in the hand {H3027} of David {H1732}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus David defeated the P'lishti with a sling and a stone, striking the P'lishti and killing him; but David had no sword in his hand.

Berean Standard Bible

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 17:50 masterfully encapsulates the dramatic climax of David's confrontation with Goliath, the Philistine champion. This verse declares David's decisive victory, achieved not through conventional military might or weaponry, but by the seemingly humble instruments of a sling and a stone. It powerfully underscores the divine intervention and the triumph of unwavering faith over overwhelming physical superiority, setting the stage for David's rise as Israel's deliverer and future king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of the epic narrative found in [1 Samuel 17](/1_samuel/17 "1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath"). The preceding verses detail the Philistine army's encampment at Socoh and their champion, Goliath, who for forty days defiantly challenged Israel to single combat. The Israelite army, including King Saul, was paralyzed by fear. David, a young shepherd boy, arrives at the battlefield to bring provisions to his brothers and is appalled by Goliath's blasphemous taunts against "the armies of the living God" ([1 Samuel 17:26](/1_samuel/17-26 "1 Samuel 17:26 - David's Indignation")). Driven by faith and righteous indignation, David volunteers to fight Goliath, 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](/1_samuel/17-38 "1 Samuel 17:38-40 - David Rejects Saul's Armor")). Verse 50 immediately follows David's swift and divinely empowered strike that felled the giant, leading to the Philistines' rout.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conflict between Israel and the Philistines was a recurring feature of this period, marked by territorial disputes and military superiority on the part of the Philistines, who possessed advanced iron weaponry, unlike the Israelites. The practice of "champion warfare," where two armies sent out their strongest warriors to fight on behalf of their respective nations, was a known, albeit less common, ancient Near Eastern custom, designed to minimize casualties. Goliath, described as over nine feet tall and clad in heavy bronze armor, represented the pinnacle of Philistine military might and pagan defiance. David, in contrast, was a young, unarmored shepherd, representing the humble, nascent Israelite monarchy and, more importantly, the power of God. The Valley of Elah, where this battle took place, was strategically significant, controlling access routes between the Philistine plain and the Judean hills.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of David and Goliath, culminating in [1 Samuel 17:50](/1_samuel/17-50 "1 Samuel 17:50 - David's Victory Over Goliath"), powerfully illustrates several core themes. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Empowerment and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's power is not limited by human weakness or conventional means, as highlighted by David's declaration 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")). This victory also underscores the theme of **Faith Over Might**, contrasting David's unwavering trust in God with Israel's fear and reliance on human strength, exemplified by Saul's failed attempts to arm David. It showcases how God often chooses the seemingly weak and foolish to confound the strong and wise, a principle echoed in the New Testament ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak and Foolish")). Finally, the narrative emphasizes **God's Deliverance and the Rise of a New Leader**, as David's victory not only saves Israel but also marks him as God's chosen instrument, foreshadowing his future kingship and the establishment of a righteous monarchy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prevailed (Hebrew, _gavar_):** This verb signifies "to be strong, mighty," "to overpower," or "to achieve mastery." It denotes a decisive and complete victory, not merely a temporary advantage. In this context, it emphasizes David's absolute triumph over Goliath, indicating that the outcome was settled and irreversible through divine enablement.
* **Sling (Hebrew, _qela‘_):** A common, simple tool used by shepherds and hunters for protection and herding. Its mention here highlights the humble and unconventional nature of David's weapon, contrasting sharply with Goliath's formidable military arsenal. The choice of the sling underscores the theme that God uses ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary feats.
* **No sword (Hebrew, _’ein ḥerev_):** This phrase is a powerful statement of absence, emphasizing that David lacked the standard weapon of a warrior. It serves to highlight the miraculous nature of the victory, attributing it not to David's personal combat skill with a sword, but to the direct intervention of God. The subsequent use of Goliath's own sword to decapitate him ([1 Samuel 17:51](/1_samuel/17-51 "1 Samuel 17:51 - David Uses Goliath's Sword")) further emphasizes that the initial, decisive blow was achieved without conventional weaponry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone":** This clause immediately establishes the victor and the unconventional means of his triumph. "Prevailed" highlights the completeness of David's mastery, while "with a sling and with a stone" immediately points to the humble and unexpected instruments God used. This sets 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 and fatal nature of David's single blow. The repetition of verbs ("smote... and slew him") underscores the finality and effectiveness of the action. It confirms Goliath's immediate demise as a direct result of the stone's impact, leaving no doubt about the outcome of the confrontation.
* **"but [there was] no sword in the hand of David":** This concluding clause serves as a powerful theological and literary emphasis. It explicitly states the absence of a conventional weapon, drawing a stark contrast between David's simple tools and Goliath's elaborate armor and weaponry. This detail highlights that the victory was not achieved by human military might or skill, but by divine power working through a humble and unexpected vessel, thereby giving all glory to God.

#### Literary Devices
1 Samuel 17:50 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is central, as the mighty, armored giant is defeated by a young, unarmored shepherd boy using a simple sling and stone, not a sword. This stark contrast between expectations and reality underscores the divine nature of the victory. **Emphasis** is achieved through the explicit statement "but [there was] no sword in the hand of David," which highlights the unconventional means of triumph and directs the reader's attention away from human strength towards divine intervention. The repetition of "smote the Philistine, and slew him" also 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 and seemingly insignificant to accomplish His grand purposes, contrasting with the worldly reliance on strength and weaponry that Goliath embodies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The victory of David over Goliath, as summarized in 1 Samuel 17:50, serves as a foundational narrative for understanding God's character and His methods of working in the world. It powerfully illustrates that God's strength is made perfect in weakness, and His victories are often achieved through means that defy human logic and expectation. This narrative establishes a recurring biblical theme: God delights in using the humble, the overlooked, and the seemingly ill-equipped to bring about His purposes, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone. It teaches that true power lies not in physical might or worldly resources, but in unwavering faith and obedience to the Lord, who is the ultimate deliverer.

* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Power Made Perfect in Weakness")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The timeless account of David's victory over Goliath, powerfully summarized in 1 Samuel 17:50, offers profound lessons for believers today. We all face "giants" in our lives—overwhelming challenges, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, personal struggles, or spiritual battles that threaten to paralyze us with fear. This verse reminds us that our victory is not dependent on our own strength, resources, or conventional wisdom, but on our unwavering trust in the living God. Like David, we are called to confront our giants not with the world's armor, but with the simple, yet potent, tools of faith, prayer, and obedience to God's Word. It encourages us to step out in courage, knowing that the battle truly belongs to the Lord, and that He delights in using ordinary people and humble means to accomplish extraordinary things, demonstrating His power and faithfulness in ways that bring Him the most glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "giants" are you currently facing in your life that seem overwhelming?**
* **In what ways are you tempted to rely on your own strength or worldly resources rather than trusting in God's power?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper, more unwavering faith like David's, even when the odds seem stacked against you?**
* **What "sling and stone"—humble gifts or ordinary means—might God be calling you to use for His glory in your current circumstances?**

### 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"?**

Answer: David did not use a sword from the beginning because he was a shepherd, not a trained warrior, and he explicitly refused King Saul's armor and sword, which he found cumbersome ([1 Samuel 17:38-39](/1_samuel/17-38 "1 Samuel 17:38-39 - David Rejects Saul's Armor")). More importantly, David's approach was a deliberate act of faith, trusting 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 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 detail ensures that the credit for Goliath's defeat is attributed entirely to the Lord, emphasizing 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")). 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](/1_samuel/17-51 "1 Samuel 17:51 - David Decapitates Goliath")), 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 to the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ. David, the humble shepherd, chosen by God to deliver His people from a seemingly invincible enemy, foreshadows Christ, the Good Shepherd and true King, who came in humility to deliver humanity from the far greater giants of sin, death, and the devil. Just as David fought without a conventional sword, relying on God's power through simple means, Christ achieved His decisive victory not through worldly power or military might, but through the ultimate act of humility and sacrifice on the cross. His apparent weakness on the cross was, 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](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ, like David, "smote" the enemy, "slew him" (destroying the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, as in [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Destroys the Devil")), and prevailed over the spiritual Goliath that held 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](/ephesians/6-17 "Ephesians 6:17 - The Armor of God")), ensures eternal deliverance for all who put their faith in Him, fulfilling the promise of a deliverer who would crush the head of the serpent ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")).

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

Judges 15:15

And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

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.

1 Samuel 23:21

And Saul said, Blessed [be] ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

1 Samuel 17:39

And 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.

Judges 3:31

¶ And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

1 Samuel 13:22

So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that [were] with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.