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.

1 SAMUEL 17:51KJV
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1 Samuel 17:51 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 17:51 mean?

1 Samuel 17:51 describes how David ran to the fallen Philistine, took the Philistine’s own sword, killed him, and cut off his head. When the Philistine army saw their champion was dead, they turned and fled in fear.

This verse takes place just after David has struck Goliath with a stone. David, a young Israelite, is facing the Philistine giant in single combat. The verse shows David’s boldness as he finishes off Goliath using Goliath’s own weapon, and it marks the turning point where the Philistines lose heart and flee, showing the dramatic shift in the battle.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 17:51

  • "Sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): The use of Goliath’s own sword by David emphasizes the reversal of power and the humiliation of the Philistine champion.
  • "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karat): This word means to sever or cut, and here it stresses the completeness of Goliath’s defeat—David not only kills him but also removes his head as proof.
  • "Champion" (גִּבּוֹר, gibbor): This word refers to a mighty warrior. The Philistines’ confidence was tied to Goliath as their champion, so his death signals the collapse of their morale.

Why 1 Samuel 17:51 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Goliath was not only struck down but decisively killed and beheaded, removing any doubt about the outcome.
  • The detail that David used Goliath’s own sword underlines the dramatic reversal and God’s deliverance through unexpected means.
  • The Philistines’ immediate flight shows how much they depended on Goliath, highlighting the psychological impact of his defeat on the entire army.

Where else these words appear

“sheath” Hebrew H8593 · used in 13 verses

  • Numbers 6:5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
  • Isaiah 7:20 In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
  • Ezekiel 21:3 And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.

“drew” Hebrew H8025 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
  • Judges 20:2 And the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
  • 1 Samuel 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

“ran” Hebrew H7323 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • 2 Samuel 18:23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
  • Job 9:25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

“fled” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 8:12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.