The Sword of Goliath
United MonarchyMeaning: “The giant’s great sword”
The enemy’s own weapon, taken as a trophy of God’s deliverance.
The huge sword of the Philistine champion, kept wrapped behind the ephod and later given to David.
What It Was
After David felled Goliath he took the giant’s own sword to cut off his head (1 Samuel 17:51). The sword was later kept at the sanctuary in Nob, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; fleeing from Saul, David asked for it: “there is none like that; give it me” (1 Samuel 21:9).
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
Goliath was destroyed with his own weapon — a recurring biblical pattern in which God turns the enemy’s strength against him, supremely at the cross, where through death Christ destroyed “him that had the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14).
Timeline
David takes Goliath’s sword in the Valley of Elah
David receives the sword from the priest at Nob
Scripture References
2 verses1 Samuel2 verses
1 Samuel 21:9
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.
1 Samuel 22:10
And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
Topics & Symbolism
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Frequently asked about The Sword of Goliath
What was The Sword of Goliath in the Bible?
The huge sword of the Philistine champion, kept wrapped behind the ephod and later given to David.
What does The Sword of Goliath symbolize?
The enemy’s own weapon, taken as a trophy of God’s deliverance.
What does the name The Sword of Goliath mean?
The name The Sword of Goliath means “The giant’s great sword”.
What was The Sword of Goliath made of?
The Sword of Goliath was made of iron/bronze.
Where was The Sword of Goliath kept?
The Sword of Goliath was kept at Behind the ephod at Nob.
Where is The Sword of Goliath first mentioned in the Bible?
The Sword of Goliath is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 21:9.
How often is The Sword of Goliath mentioned in the Bible?
The Sword of Goliath is mentioned in 2 verses across 1 book: 1 Samuel.
What happened to Goliath’s sword?
David used it to behead Goliath; it was kept at Nob behind the ephod and given back to David when he fled from Saul (1 Samuel 21:9).
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