Bible Strands
1 Samuel 17:40
And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David stands after removing Saul’s armor and prepares to face the advancing Philistine champion. He moves toward the enemy armed only with his shepherd’s gear.
The words — The text highlights וַ/יִּקַּ֨ח (va/i.yi.Kach, "he took") and וַ/יִּבְחַר\־ (va/i.yiv.char-, "he chose") to mark David's deliberate selection of five smooth stones. These verbs emphasize intentional preparation over passive reliance on conventional weapons.
The thread — This deliberate choice of humble tools parallels God's pattern of using the weak to shame the strong, as noted in 1 Corinthians 1:27. It also echoes other instances of unconventional weaponry being used for deliverance, such as the sling in Judges 20:16.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that effective action often requires discarding conventional expectations and relying on prepared, accessible resources. It asks the reader to examine what they have already set aside that might be needed for the task ahead.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
- Judges 15:15 He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men.
- Judges 20:16 Among all these soldiers there were 700 select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing.
- Matthew 10:10 Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.
- Judges 3:31 After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. And he too saved Israel, striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.
- Judges 7:16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch.