1 Samuel 21:9
New International Version
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 it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.” David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

New Living Translation
“I only have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah,” the priest replied. “It is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. Take that if you want it, for there is nothing else here.” “There is nothing like it!” David replied. “Give it to me!”

English Standard Version
And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.”

Berean Standard Bible
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 here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, there it is, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it. For there is no other except that one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, take it. For there is no other except it here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

NASB 1995
Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, take it. For there is no other except it here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

NASB 1977
Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, take it. For there is no other except it here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, take it. For there is no other except it here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

Amplified Bible
Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, do so. For there is no other here except for it.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.”

Christian Standard Bible
The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want to take it for yourself, then take it, for there isn’t another one here.” “There’s none like it! ” David said. “Give it to me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want to take it for yourself, then take it, for there isn’t another one here.” “There’s none like it!” David said. “Give it to me.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
The priest answered, "The only sword here is the one that belonged to Goliath the Philistine. You were the one who killed him in Elah Valley, and so you can take his sword if you want to. It's wrapped in a cloth behind the statue." "It's the best sword there is," David said. "I'll take it!"

English Revised Version
And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slowest 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The chief priest answered, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Elah Valley, is here. It is wrapped in a cloth behind the priestly ephod. If you want to take it, take it. There's no other weapon here." David said, "There's none like it. Let me have the sword."

Good News Translation
Ahimelech answered, "I have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in Elah Valley; it is behind the ephod, wrapped in a cloth. If you want it, take it--it's the only weapon here." "Give it to me," David said. "There is not a better sword anywhere!"

International Standard Version
The priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah is wrapped up in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it because there is no other except it here." So David said, "There is none like it. Give it to me."

Majority Standard Bible
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 here.? And David said, ?There is none like it; give it to me.?

NET Bible
The priest replied, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the valley of Elah, is wrapped in a garment behind the ephod. If you wish, take it for yourself. Other than that, there's nothing here." David said, "There's nothing like it! Give it to me!"

New Heart English Bible
The priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, look, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind an ephod. If you will take that, take it; for there is no other except that here." David said, "There is none like that. Give it to me."

Webster's Bible Translation
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 to me.

World English Bible
The priest said, “Behold, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you would like to take that, take it, for there is no other except that here.” David said, “There is none like that. Give it to me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the priest says, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a garment behind the ephod, if you take it to yourself, take; for there is none other except it in this [place].” And David says, “There is none like it—give it to me.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the priest saith, 'The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou didst smite in the valley of Elah, lo, it is wrapped in a garment behind the ephod, if it thou dost take to thyself, take; for there is none other save it in this place.' And David saith, 'There is none like it -- give it to me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for 1 Sam 21:10 And the priest will say, The sword of Goliah the rover, whom thou didst strike in the valley of the oak, behold, it wrapped up in a garment behind the ephod: if thou wilt take it to thee, take, for no other beside it here. And David will say, None like it; thou shalt give it to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the priest said: Lo, here is the sword of Goliath the Philistine whom thou slewest in the valley of Terebinth, wrapped up in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take this, take it, for here is no other but this. And David said: There is none like that, give it me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the priest said: “Behold, here is the sword of Goliath, the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Terebinth. It is wrapped up in a cloak behind the ephod. If you wish to take this, take it. For there is nothing else here except this.” And David said, “There is nothing else like this, so give it to me.”

New American Bible
The priest replied: “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a garment behind an ephod. If you wish to take it, do so; there is no sword here except that one.” “There is none like it,” David cried, “give it to me!”

New Revised Standard Version
The priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you will take that, take it, for there is none here except that one.” David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you slew in the valley of Terebinth, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you wish to take that, take it, for there is no other but that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it to me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said to Akhimelek: “Is there not here under your hand a sword or a spear? I have taken neither my sword nor a spear in my hands, because the King’s matter was hasty.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the priest said, Behold the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou smotest in the valley of Ela; and it is wrapt in a cloth: if thou wilt take it, take it for thyself, for there is no other except it here. And David said, Behold, there is none like it; give it me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Flees to Gath
8Then David asked Ahimelech, “Is there not a spear or sword on hand here? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business was urgent.” 9The 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.” 10That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 17:50-51
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. / David 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.

1 Samuel 17:54
David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.

1 Samuel 18:6-7
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 18:10-11
The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, / and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

1 Samuel 19:9-10
But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit of distress from the LORD came upon him. While David was playing the harp, / Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

1 Samuel 20:42
And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.

2 Samuel 23:9-10
Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.

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 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 34:4-6
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. / Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. / This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.

Matthew 12:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

Mark 2:25-26
Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? / During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”

Luke 6:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.”

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’


Treasury of Scripture

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you slew in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if you will take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.

The sword

1 Samuel 17:51-54
Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled…

the valley

1 Samuel 17:2,50
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…

behold

1 Samuel 31:10
And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.

behind

Exodus 28:6
And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.

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1 Samuel 21
1. David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread
7. Doeg is present
8. David takes Goliath's sword
10. David at Gath feigns himself insane














The priest replied
This phrase indicates a direct response from Ahimelech, the priest, to David. In the Hebrew context, the role of the priest was not only to perform religious duties but also to serve as a mediator between God and man. Ahimelech's response signifies the importance of divine provision and guidance in David's life, even in times of distress.

The sword of Goliath the Philistine
This sword is a significant artifact, symbolizing David's past victory over Goliath, a pivotal moment in his life. The mention of "Goliath the Philistine" serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the triumph of faith over seemingly insurmountable odds. The sword represents God's faithfulness and the empowerment of His chosen servant.

whom you killed in the Valley of Elah
This phrase recalls the historical event where David, a young shepherd, defeated the giant Goliath. The "Valley of Elah" is a geographical location that holds historical and spiritual significance, marking the site of God's miraculous intervention. It serves as a testament to God's power working through those who trust in Him.

is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod
The sword's location "behind the ephod" suggests its sacredness and the reverence with which it was kept. The ephod, a priestly garment, symbolizes divine communication and guidance. The wrapping of the sword in a cloth indicates its preservation and the care taken to honor this symbol of God's past deliverance.

If you want it, take it, for there is no other but this one
Ahimelech offers the sword to David, acknowledging its uniqueness and the lack of alternatives. This highlights the theme of divine provision, where God provides exactly what is needed at the right time. The exclusivity of the sword underscores its significance as a tool of God's purpose.

And David said, 'There is none like it; give it to me'
David's response reflects his recognition of the sword's symbolic value. By stating "There is none like it," David acknowledges the uniqueness of God's past deliverance and expresses his faith in God's continued provision. His request to "give it to me" signifies his readiness to embrace God's provision and trust in His plan.

(9) The sword of Goliath the Philistine.--It was in safe guardianship, that trusty sword of the mightiest of the Philistines, stained perhaps with the blood of the brave but unworthy priests, Hophni and Phineas, the sons of Eli, whom Goliath was believed to have slain in the fatal battle when the Ark was taken, and the power of Israel shattered for many a long year. It was wrapped up and lying in a place of honour behind the sacred ephod with the Urim and Thummim--wrapped up, it has been suggested, in the blood-stained war cloak of the dead Philistine, for the word translated "cloth" is used in Isaiah 9:5 of military attire.

Give it me.--David grasped the sword with a childlike expression of joy; its sight and touch revived the old bright faith and the sure trust in the strength of Israel on which he leaned when, as a boy, he fought with the wild beasts which infested the wild pasture-lands where he kept his father's flocks (the Shepherd of David was the Holy One; blessed be He.--Midrash Rabbah, 59), and which guided his trembling hand the day he slew the giant in the face of the watching hosts. The sight and touch of the glorious trophy revived the old sure trust which in these dark days of betrayal and persecution was beginning to fail that gallant spirit of David's. It does not appear from the story that the Philistine's sword was of extraordinary size; that it was a tried weapon of approved temper and strength is certain, but its chief preciousness consisted, of course, in its storied associations. The Dean of Canterbury suggests it was probably of the ordinary pattern imported from Greece. The LXX. adds here, "and he gave it to him."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The priest
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן (hak·kō·hên)
0
Strong's 3548: Priest

replied,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
0
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The sword
חֶרֶב֩ (ḥe·reḇ)
0
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

of Goliath
גָּלְיָ֨ת (gā·lə·yāṯ)
0
Strong's 1555: Goliath -- a Philistine giant

the Philistine,
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜י (hap·pə·liš·tî)
0
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

whom
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
0
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you killed
הִכִּ֣יתָ ׀ (hik·kî·ṯā)
0
Strong's 5221: To strike

in the Valley
בְּעֵ֣מֶק (bə·‘ê·meq)
0
Strong's 6010: A vale

of Elah,
הָאֵלָ֗ה (hā·’ê·lāh)
0
Strong's 425: Elah -- 'terebinth', an Israelite name, also an Edomite name

is here;
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
0
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

it [is]
הִ֞יא (hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

wrapped
לוּטָ֣ה (lū·ṭāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3874: To wrap closely or tightly, enwrap, envelop

in a cloth
בַשִּׂמְלָה֮ (ḇaś·śim·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8071: A dress, a mantle

behind
אַחֲרֵ֣י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the ephod.
הָאֵפוֹד֒ (hā·’ê·p̄ō·wḏ)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 646: A girdle, the ephod, highpriest's shoulder-piece, an image

If
אִם־ (’im-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you want,
אֹתָ֤הּ (’ō·ṯāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

you may take.
תִּֽקַּח־ (tiq·qaḥ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[there is] no
אֵ֥ין (’ên)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

other
אַחֶ֛רֶת (’a·ḥe·reṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

but this one.?
זוּלָתָ֖הּ (zū·lā·ṯāh)
Preposition
Strong's 2108: Scattering, removal, except

And David
דָּוִ֛ד (dā·wiḏ)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

said,
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunction
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“[There is] none
אֵ֥ין (’ên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

like it;
כָּמ֖וֹהָ (kā·mō·w·hā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3644: Like, as, when

give it
תְּנֶ֥נָּה (tə·nen·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to me.?
לִּֽי׃ (lî)
Conjunction
Strong's 0: 0


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OT History: 1 Samuel 21:9 The priest said The sword of Goliath (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 21:8
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