King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 17:51 Mean?

1 Samuel 17:51 in the King James Version says “Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 17:51 · KJV

Context

49

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

50

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

51

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.

52

And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

53

And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

Read 1 Samuel 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's use of Goliath's own sword to behead him represents ultimate reversal - the giant's weapon completing his defeat. Cutting off the head confirmed death and claimed trophy proof of victory. The Philistines' flight reveals how one man's faith-based courage could transform an entire military situation. Their champion's death exposed the emptiness of their confidence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Beheading defeated champions was common practice, providing proof of victory and trophy for display. Goliath's head would later appear in Jerusalem (v.54), perhaps at the Jebusite city's conquest. The psychological impact of watching their greatest warrior fall shattered Philistine morale.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes use the enemy's own weapons to accomplish their defeat?
  2. What does the Philistine flight teach about the collective impact of one person's victorious faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיָּ֣רָץ1 of 21

“ran”

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

דָּ֠וִד2 of 21

“Therefore David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֨ד3 of 21

“and stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אֶל4 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים5 of 21

“therewith And when the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיִּקַּ֣ח6 of 21

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת7 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חַ֠רְבּוֹ8 of 21

“his sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וַֽיִּשְׁלְפָ֤הּ9 of 21

“and drew”

H8025

to pull out, up or off

מִתַּעְרָהּ֙10 of 21

“it out of the sheath”

H8593

a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)

מֵ֥ת11 of 21

“thereof and slew”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וַיִּכְרָת12 of 21

“him and cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

בָּ֖הּ13 of 21
H0
אֶת14 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹאשׁ֑וֹ15 of 21

“his head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַיִּרְא֧וּ16 of 21

“saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים17 of 21

“therewith And when the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

כִּי18 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מֵ֥ת19 of 21

“thereof and slew”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

גִּבּוֹרָ֖ם20 of 21

“their champion”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

וַיָּנֻֽסוּ׃21 of 21

“they fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 17:51 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 17:51 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 21:9Hebrews 11:342 Samuel 23:21Psalms 7:15-16Esther 7:10Hebrews 2:14

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