“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. Then David ran and stood over the P’lishti, took his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and finished killing him, cutting off his head with it.”-1 Samuel 17:50-51
One question that sometimes comes up is if David killed Goliath with his sling and stone, then why did he go out of his way to behead him?
Scholars have different answers to that question.
Some say the beheading served as a symbol of total victory and the complete defeat of the Philistine champion.
Others view it as a common practice in ancient warfare to ensure that a formidable opponent was truly dead and could not rise again to pose a threat.
While those interpretations appear plausible, there’s another perspective worth considering.
The rock that flew at lightning speed from David’s sling did NOT immediately kill Goliath.
Make no mistake about it.
The giant was mortally wounded, but he wasn’t yet dead.
So when Goliath fell face down because David didn’t have a sword, he used Goliath’s sword to cut off his head.
That’s when he finished off Goliath for good.
Rather than offering a takeaway today, I’d like to share an observation.
Notice how God often uses the weapons of Israel’s enemies against them after they’re defeated?
David used Goliath’s own sword against him after he slew him with the stone from his slingshot.
Or how about Haman being hung on the very gallows that were intended for the Israelites in the story of Esther?
In Joshua 6, the Israelites were instructed by God to march around the city of Jericho once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, after which the priests were to blow their trumpets and the people were to shout.
The walls of Jericho then collapsed, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city.
The city’s defenses, which were intended to keep the Israelites out, ultimately led to their victory.
These examples show how God often turns the tables on Israel’s enemies, using their own plans or implements against them to bring about deliverance for His people.
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