What does 1 Samuel 21:9 mean?
"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 21:9
The verse 1 Samuel 21:9 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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."
This verse is part of the larger story of David, a young shepherd who would later become a great king of Israel. At this point in the narrative, David is on the run from King Saul, who is jealous of David's rising popularity. In his desperation, David seeks refuge from the priest Ahimelech at the city of Nob. When David arrives, he asks Ahimelech for provisions, and the priest provides him with bread and the sword of Goliath.
The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its significance. At the time of this exchange, David is on the run and in need of supplies and weapons for his survival. The fact that he seeks out the sword of Goliath, the giant Philistine whom he had defeated in battle, reveals the confidence and faith that David has in his abilities and in the protection of God. By taking Goliath's sword, David is not only arming himself for his physical protection but is also symbolically affirming his trust in the Lord as his ultimate protector and source of strength.
The theme of this verse revolves around the idea of God's faithfulness and provision in times of need. David's actions in seeking out Goliath's sword show that he believes in the Lord's ability to sustain and protect him, even in the midst of danger and uncertainty. This theme resonates throughout the Bible and is a central tenet of the Christian faith – that God is our refuge and strength, always present to help in times of trouble.
Moreover, the symbolism of Goliath's sword is significant. Goliath was an imposing figure, feared by the Israelites, and his defeat by David was a pivotal moment in Israel's history. By taking Goliath's sword, David not only equips himself for physical battle but also symbolically asserts his victory over the enemies of God's people. This act can be seen as a foreshadowing of David's future triumphs as a warrior, as well as a reminder of the Lord's faithfulness in delivering his people from their adversaries.
Additionally, the presence of the sword behind the ephod, a sacred garment worn by the priest, adds another layer of symbolism to the verse. The ephod was a symbol of the priestly authority and connection to God, and its proximity to the sword of Goliath signifies that God's power and protection are always available to those who seek him. This confluence of religious and martial symbolism underscores the idea that David's strength and success come from his faith in God and reliance on his divine help.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 21:9 is a rich and multi-layered verse that conveys themes of faith, provision, and divine protection. The context of David's desperate situation and his bold act of taking Goliath's sword speaks to the enduring message of God's faithfulness and sovereignty in the lives of his people. The symbolism of Goliath's sword and its association with the ephod highlights the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical strength, emphasizing the importance of trusting in the Lord for all our needs. As believers, we can take comfort in the example of David and the assurance that God is always present to sustain and defend us, just as he did for David in his time of need.
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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 21:9 (KJVA) 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 21:9 (KJVA) 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 21:9 (KJVA) 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.
1Sa 21:1-15 (KJVA) 1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? 2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. 3 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. 4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. 5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. 6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away. 7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul. 8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. 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. 10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? 12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. 14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? 15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house? 1 Samuel 21:9 (KJVA) 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.
"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 21:9
1 Samuel 9:21 - "And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?"
1 Samuel 21:10-15
1 Samuel 8:21 - "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD."
1 Samuel 3:21 - "And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."
1 Samuel 9:1-2
1 Samuel 9:15 - "¶ Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,"
1 Samuel 22:21 - "And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests."
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1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."
1 Samuel 23:21 - "And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me."
"And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?" - 1 Samuel 9:21
1 Samuel 9:25 - "¶ And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house."
1 Samuel 9:18 - "Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is."
1 Samuel 18:9 - "And Saul eyed David from that day and forward."
1 Samuel 21:10 - "¶ And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath."
1 Samuel 7:9 - "¶ And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him."
1 Samuel 13:21 - "Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads."
1 Samuel 17:21 - "For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army."
1 Samuel 1:21 - "And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow."
1 Samuel 9:17 - "And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people."
1 Samuel 21:12 - "And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath."
1 Chronicles 9:21 - "And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."
1 Samuel 9:14 - "And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place."
1 Chronicles 21:9 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying,"