1 Samuel 17:50 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.

Bible > 1 Samuel > Chapter 17 > Verse 50

◄ 1 Samuel 17:50 ►

New International Version
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

New Living Translation
So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.

English Standard Version
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David.

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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.

New American Standard Bible
So David prevailed over the Philistine with the sling and the stone: he struck the Philistine and killed him, and there was no sword in David’s hand.

NASB 1995
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

NASB 1977
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and put him to death; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

Amplified Bible
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck down the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

Christian Standard Bible
David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. David overpowered the Philistine and killed him without having a sword.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. Even though David had no sword, 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.

Contemporary English Version
David defeated Goliath with a sling and a rock. He killed him without even using a sword.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So using [only] a sling and a stone, David proved to be stronger than the Philistine. David struck down and killed the Philistine, even though David didn't have a sword in his hand.

Good News Translation
And so, without a sword, David defeated and killed Goliath with a sling and a stone!

International Standard Version
David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone; he struck down the Philistine and killed him, and there was no sword in David's hand.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
David prevailed over the Philistine with just the sling and the stone. He struck down the Philistine and killed him. David did not even have a sword in his hand.

New Heart English Bible
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine, and killed him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And David is stronger than the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and strikes the Philistine, and puts him to death, and there is no sword in the hand of David,

Young's Literal Translation
And David is stronger than the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smiteth the Philistine, and putteth him to death, and there is no sword in the hand of David,

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will be strong upon him of the rovers with a sling and with a stone, and he will strike him of the rovers and kill him, and no sword in David's hand.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And David prevailed over the Philistine, with a sling and a stone, and he struck, and slew the Philistine. And as David had no sword in his hand,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David prevailed against the Philistine with a sling and a stone. And he struck and killed the Philistine. But since David held no sword in his hand,

New American Bible
Thus David triumphed over the Philistine with sling and stone; he struck the Philistine dead, and did it without a sword in his hand.

New Revised Standard Version
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, striking down the Philistine and killing him; there was no sword in David’s hand.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone and struck the Philistine and he killed him, and a sword was not in the hand of David

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David Slays Goliath
…49Then 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. 50Thus 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. 51David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him; and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

2 Samuel 21:19
Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

1 Chronicles 20:5
Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

Psalm 144:1
Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Psalm 18:34
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 33:16-17
No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. / A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.

Psalm 44:6-7
For I do not trust in my bow, nor does my sword save me. / For You save us from our enemies; You put those who hate us to shame.

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.

Psalm 89:19-20
You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people. / I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”

Treasury of Scripture

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 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.

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.

but there was

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.

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.

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Band Causing David David's Death Hand Killed Leather Overcame Philistine Prevailed Putteth Slew Sling Smiteth Smote Stone Stronger Struck Sword Triumphed Wounding

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1 Samuel 17

1. The armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to battle
4. Goliath challenges a combat
12. David, sent by his father to visit his brothers, takes the challenge
28. Eliab chides him
30. He is brought to Saul
32. shows the reason of his confidence
38. and slays the giant
55. Saul takes notice of David

Berean Study Bible

Thus David prevailed
The phrase "Thus David prevailed" signifies the culmination of a divinely orchestrated victory. The Hebrew root for "prevailed" is "yakol," which means to be able, to have power, or to overcome. This victory is not just a physical triumph but a spiritual one, demonstrating God's power working through David. Historically, this moment marks a turning point for Israel, as David's faith and reliance on God set a precedent for future leadership.

over the Philistine
The Philistines were a formidable enemy of Israel, often representing the forces of chaos and opposition to God's people. The term "Philistine" in Hebrew is "P'lishtim," which is derived from a root meaning "to roll" or "to wallow," possibly indicating their migratory nature. This victory over Goliath, a champion of the Philistines, symbolizes God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable odds.

with a sling and a stone
The use of "a sling and a stone" highlights the simplicity and humility of the means God uses to achieve His purposes. The sling, a common shepherd's tool, and the stone, a natural element, emphasize that God's power is not dependent on human strength or weaponry. This reflects the biblical theme that God often chooses the weak and the lowly to confound the mighty, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27.

without a sword in his hand
The phrase "without a sword in his hand" underscores the miraculous nature of the victory. In ancient warfare, the sword was a symbol of power and might. David's lack of a sword illustrates that the battle belongs to the Lord, and it is His strength that brings victory. This serves as a reminder that God's ways are not our ways, and His deliverance often comes through unexpected means.

he struck down the Philistine
"Struck down" in Hebrew is "nakah," which means to smite, hit, or kill. This action signifies the definitive defeat of Goliath, representing the triumph of God's anointed over the enemies of His people. It is a prophetic foreshadowing of the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, as David is a type of Christ in the Old Testament narrative.

and killed him
The finality of "and killed him" confirms the totality of the victory. In the context of the narrative, this act not only secures Israel's immediate safety but also establishes David's reputation as a leader chosen by God. It is a testament to the power of faith and obedience, as David's trust in God led to a victory that seemed impossible by human standards.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(50) But there was no sword in the hand of David.--The story of the daring of the son of Jesse dwells, and with good reason, on the extraordinary valour and skill of the young champion of Israel. Had his heart for one instant failed him--as, indeed, it well might; had he not possessed a confidence which nothing could shake in an unseen Helper--or had his skill as a marksman failed him in the slightest degree, the Philistine with one blow would have laid David lifeless at his feet; or had the active shepherd boy eluded his giant antagonist, it must have been by flight. In any case, the single combat upon which Israel had staked so much would have gone against the chosen people.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 50, 51. - So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone. It is evident that the narrator regarded David's victory as extraordinary; and no doubt it required not only great courage, but also perfect skill, as only the lower portion of the forehead would be exposed, and on no other part of the giant's body would a blow have been of any avail. The narrator also calls attention to the fact that David relied upon his sling alone, for there was no sword in the hand of David. Slings probably were regarded as useful only to harass an enemy, while swords, which they had only lately been able to procure (1 Samuel 13:22), were regarded as the real weapons of offence. David, therefore, completes his victory by killing Goliath with his own sword as he lay stunned upon the ground. As Ahimelech considered it fit for David's own use (1 Samuel 21:9), it was probably not so monstrous in size as Goliath's other weapons. Champion is not the word so rendered in vers. 4, 23, but that used in 1 Samuel 16:18 for "a hero of valour."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Thus David
דָּוִ֤ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

prevailed
וַיֶּחֱזַ֨ק (way·ye·ḥĕ·zaq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

over
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the Philistine
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי֙ (hap·pə·liš·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

with a sling
בַּקֶּ֣לַע (baq·qe·la‘)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7050: A sling, a, screen, the valve

and a stone;
וּבָאֶ֔בֶן (ū·ḇā·’e·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

without
אֵ֥ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

a sword
וְחֶ֖רֶב (wə·ḥe·reḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

in his hand
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

he struck down
וַיַּ֥ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

the Philistine
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י (hap·pə·liš·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

and killed him.
וַיְמִיתֵ֑הוּ (way·mî·ṯê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

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OT History: 1 Samuel 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)