King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 21:9 Mean?

1 Samuel 21:9 in the King James Version says “And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wr... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

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?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The appearance of Goliath's sword creates powerful narrative symmetry. David's exclamation 'there is none like that' (Hebrew 'ein kamohu') echoes his earlier declaration about Goliath's spear (17:7). The sword had been dedicated as a trophy and stored behind the ephod—the priestly garment used for divine consultation. Now the weapon that once threatened Israel returns to its conqueror's hand. This providential provision reminded David of God's past faithfulness: the same God who gave victory over Goliath would preserve him from Saul. The passage illustrates how memorials of past deliverance strengthen faith for present trials.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Dedicating enemy weapons to deity was common in the ancient Near East. The sword's preservation 'wrapped in a cloth' indicates reverent treatment of this trophy. Its location 'behind the ephod' suggests the innermost part of the sanctuary area.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'Goliath's swords'—reminders of past victories—does God provide in your current battles?
  2. How do you commemorate God's past faithfulness to strengthen present faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר1 of 31

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַכֹּהֵ֗ן2 of 31

And the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

חֶרֶב֩3 of 31

The sword

H2719

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

גָּלְיָ֨ת4 of 31

of Goliath

H1555

goljath, a philistine

הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֜י5 of 31

the Philistine

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

אֲשֶׁר6 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִכִּ֣יתָ׀7 of 31

whom thou slewest

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בְּעֵ֣מֶק8 of 31

in the valley

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

הָֽאֵלָ֗ה9 of 31

of Elah

H425

elah, the name of an edomite, of four israelites, and also of a place in palestine

הִנֵּה10 of 31
H2009

lo!

הִ֞יא11 of 31
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לוּטָ֣ה12 of 31

behold it is here wrapped

H3874

to wrap up

בַשִּׂמְלָה֮13 of 31

in a cloth

H8071

a dress, especially a mantle

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י14 of 31

behind

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הָֽאֵפוֹד֒15 of 31

the ephod

H646

a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image

אִם16 of 31
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֹתָ֤הּ17 of 31
H853

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

קָ֔ח18 of 31

if thou wilt take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לְךָ֙19 of 31
H0
קָ֔ח20 of 31

if thou wilt take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כִּ֣י21 of 31
H3588

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

אֵ֥ין22 of 31
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אַחֶ֛רֶת23 of 31

it for there is no other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

זֽוּלָתָ֖הּ24 of 31

save

H2108

probably scattering, i.e., removal; used adverbially, except

בָּזֶ֑ה25 of 31

that here

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר26 of 31

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֛ד27 of 31

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֵ֥ין28 of 31
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כָּמ֖וֹהָ29 of 31
H3644

as, thus, so

תְּנֶ֥נָּה30 of 31

There is none like that give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִּֽי׃31 of 31
H0

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 21:9 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 21:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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