Keraia
1 Samuel 21

1 Samuel 21:9

David Flees to Gath · 1 Samuel 21:8–15
Read 1 Samuel 21

Translations

Modern
The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want, you may take it. For there is no other but this one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If that you will take to you, take it, for there is no other except it in this place.” And David said, “None is like it; give it to me.”
Latin
Et dixit sacerdos: Ecce hic gladius Goliath Philisthæi, quem percussisti in Valle terebinthi: est involutus pallio post ephod: si istum vis tollere, tolle: neque enim hic est alius absque eo. Et ait David: Non est huic alter similis: da mihi eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want, you may take it. For there is no other but this one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

Notes

1 Samuel 21:9

  • David used Goliath's sword to cut off the giant's head (1 Samuel 17:51). Both the sword and Goliath's head were taken as war trophies (17:54).

  • The ephod mentioned here might not be the priestly garment. Some passages suggest an ephod could also be a statue (Judges 8:27; 18:17).

Theme notes and profiles

David Saul Violation of the Sacred

Events

Parallels

Psalm 34:1–22 Psalm 56:1–13

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Goliath: A Philistine giant defeated by David

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan Valley of Elah: Site of David's victory over Goliath

Glossary

Abiathar Ahijah Ahimelech David Doeg Elah, Valley of Goliath Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Betrayal of David, by Doeg Confidence: Betrayed: Ahimelech, by David Elah: A Valley where David Killed Goliath Goliath: Defied Armies of Israel and is Killed by David Nob: Probable Seat of the Tabernacle in Saul's Time Sword used by Goliath Trophies: Goliath's Head and Armor Valleys: Elah