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 21:9KJV
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1 Samuel 21:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 21:9 mean?

1 Samuel 21:9 describes how the priest tells David that the only weapon available is the sword of Goliath, which David had taken from Goliath when he defeated him in the valley of Elah. The sword is wrapped in a cloth and kept behind the ephod, and David eagerly accepts it, saying there is no other sword like it.

In this verse, the priest (likely Ahimelech) is speaking to David, who is on the run and seeking help. The priest offers David the sword of Goliath, which had been kept as a kind of sacred trophy. David recognizes the sword and asks for it, showing both his need and perhaps a reminder of his earlier victory over Goliath.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 21:9

  • גָּלְיָת (Golyat, "Goliath"): Naming Goliath specifically ties this sword to David's famous victory, underlining the significance of this moment for both David and the reader.
  • אֵפוֹד (ephod): The ephod was a special priestly garment, and the sword being kept behind it suggests the sword was treated with respect, possibly even as a sacred object.
  • חֶרֶב (cherev, "sword"): The word for sword here emphasizes that this is not just any weapon, but a unique and memorable one, reinforcing David's history and the gravity of his current situation.
  • עָטוּף (atuf, "wrapped"): The sword being wrapped in a cloth indicates it was preserved and not in regular use, highlighting its special status.

Why 1 Samuel 21:9 matters

  • This verse connects David’s current troubles with his earlier triumph, reminding the reader of God’s past deliverance and David’s courage.
  • The mention of the ephod and the sword’s location shows the overlap between religious life and national history in Israel, as sacred and military objects are kept together.
  • David’s acceptance of Goliath’s sword foreshadows his ongoing struggle for survival and leadership, and it marks a turning point as he moves from being a celebrated hero to a fugitive relying on past victories.

Where else these words appear

“wrapped” Hebrew H3874 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
  • Isaiah 25:7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

“Goliath” Hebrew H1555 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
  • 1 Samuel 17:23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
  • 2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

“Elah” Hebrew H425 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 36:41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
  • 1 Kings 16:8 In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
  • 2 Kings 18:1 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

“save” Hebrew H2108 · used in 16 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:36 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.
  • 1 Kings 3:18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.
  • Isaiah 26:13 O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.