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.

And the priest {H3548} said {H559}, The sword {H2719} of Goliath {H1555} the Philistine {H6430}, whom thou slewest {H5221} in the valley {H6010} of Elah {H425}, behold, it is here wrapped {H3874} in a cloth {H8071} behind {H310} the ephod {H646}: if thou wilt take {H3947} that, take {H3947} it: for there is no other {H312} save {H2108} that here {H2088}. And David {H1732} said {H559}, There is none like that; give {H5414} it me.

The cohen said, "The sword of Golyat the P'lishti you killed in the Elah Valley, is over there behind the ritual vest, wrapped in a cloth. If you want it, take it; it's the only one here." David said, "There's nothing like it; give it to me."

The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want, you may take it. For there is no other but this one.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the vale 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.

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 21:9, we find David, a man on the run from King Saul, in a moment of desperate need for a weapon. The priest Ahimelech reveals that the only available weapon is the very sword David used to slay Goliath, the Philistine giant. David's immediate and emphatic response, "There is none like that; give it me," highlights the profound significance of this discovery for the future king.

Context

This verse occurs during a critical period in David's life. Having been anointed king but not yet enthroned, David is fleeing for his life from a jealous and increasingly unstable King Saul. David arrives at Nob, the city of priests, seeking refuge and provisions from Ahimelech. He has just been given the consecrated showbread to eat (1 Samuel 21:6), and now he needs a weapon for protection. The presence of Goliath's sword in the sanctuary, "wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod," suggests it was preserved as a trophy and a memorial of God's great deliverance, likely by the priests themselves, after David's famous victory in the Valley of Elah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Provision: Even in his dire circumstances, God orchestrates David's needs to be met in unexpected ways. The availability of Goliath's sword is a powerful reminder of God's past faithfulness and a symbol of His continued protection for David, providing a much-needed weapon in a time of vulnerability.
  • Symbolism of Victory: Goliath's sword is not just any weapon; it is the very instrument that sealed David's most iconic victory over the Philistine champion (1 Samuel 17:51). Taking up this sword again would serve as a powerful psychological boost for David, reminding him of God's past deliverance and empowering him for future challenges. It was a tangible trophy of God's power working through him.
  • David's Faith and Resourcefulness: David's immediate recognition of the sword's unique value ("There is none like that") demonstrates his understanding of its significance and his readiness to rely on God's past provision to navigate his present dangers.

Linguistic Insights

The term "ephod" refers to a sacred priestly garment, often associated with seeking divine guidance, as it sometimes contained the Urim and Thummim. Storing Goliath's sword "behind the ephod" indicates it was kept in a place of honor and sanctity within the sanctuary, emphasizing its status as a consecrated item or a memorial to God's intervention rather than merely a discarded weapon. This detail highlights the reverence with which this symbol of God's victory was held.

Practical Application

This passage offers profound lessons for believers today. Just as David was re-equipped with a symbol of God's past victory, we are often called to remember God's faithfulness in our own lives. When facing new trials or moments of fear, recalling how God has delivered us before can bolster our faith and provide courage for the present challenge. The "sword of Goliath" can represent our past triumphs, God's specific answers to prayer, or even the spiritual weapons He has already given us, such as His Word, to overcome adversity (Ephesians 6:17). God often uses what He has already provided to meet our current needs and reminds us that His power is sufficient, even in our moments of greatest vulnerability.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 17:2 (5 votes)

    And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.

  • 1 Samuel 17:50 (2 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 17:54 (2 votes)

    And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

  • Exodus 28:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ And they shall make the ephod [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, [of] scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.

  • Exodus 28:14 (2 votes)

    And two chains [of] pure gold at the ends; [of] wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.

  • 1 Samuel 31:10 (2 votes)

    And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.