(17:48-49) As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
This battle is incredibly short. Just two verses explain what happened!
“The stone sank into his forehead.” This is much like Luke Skywalker firing two proton torpedoes into a vent that destroyed the Death Star. Goliath was covered with armor and a massive shield, but David targeted his one vulnerable spot. He was also fulfilling a “stoning” of one who blasphemes God (Lev. 24:16).
Could a stone really render this man unconscious? These sling-stones travelled at a surprisingly fast velocity (~100-150 mph). The stone didn’t kill Goliath (v.51), but it did render him unconscious.
(17:50-51) 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. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.
David had predicted that he would cut off Goliath’s head (v.46). At the time, this must’ve seemed impossible, because David wasn’t carrying a sword. Here is the great twist: David didn’t kill Goliath with his own sword, but with the Philistine’s sword. David likely “ran” to decapitate Goliath before the giant regained consciousness.
(17:52) Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.
David’s heroic act of faith galvanized the Israelites into battle. The Israelites chased the men all the way to Goliath’s hometown (Gath).
(17:53) When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.
The Philistines fled so quickly that they left their tents full of their stuff, and the Israelites looted their money and goods as the spoils of war.
(17:54) David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.
Jerusalem wasn’t under Israel’s control at this time, so critics argue that this is anachronistic. However, Youngblood argues that David was placing the head in Jerusalem to scare the Jebusites, who controlled Israel.[] It’s as if David was saying, “Look who has already fallen… And guess who’s next?”
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
