A sling is an ancient weapon used for hurling stones or other projectiles. It consists of a pouch with two cords attached, one of which is released to launch the projectile. The sling is mentioned several times in the Bible, often highlighting its effectiveness in battle and its use by shepherds and warriors alike.

Biblical References:

1. David and Goliath: The most famous biblical account involving a sling is the account of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd, uses a sling to defeat Goliath, the Philistine giant, demonstrating faith and divine providence. In 1 Samuel 17:49 , it is written, "Then David reached into his bag and took out a stone, and he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground." This event underscores the power of God working through seemingly weak instruments.

2. Tribe of Benjamin: The tribe of Benjamin was renowned for its skilled slingers. Judges 20:16 notes, "Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss." This passage highlights the precision and skill of the Benjaminites, emphasizing the sling as a formidable weapon in ancient warfare.

3. Proverbs and Metaphors: The sling is also used metaphorically in the Bible. Proverbs 26:8 states, "Like binding a stone in a sling is giving honor to a fool." This proverb uses the imagery of a sling to convey the futility and danger of bestowing honor on someone unworthy, as a stone bound in a sling is useless and potentially harmful.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The sling was a common weapon in ancient Near Eastern cultures, valued for its simplicity and effectiveness. It required skill and practice to use accurately, and it was often employed by shepherds to protect their flocks from predators. The sling's portability and the availability of ammunition (stones) made it a practical choice for both shepherds and soldiers.

In military contexts, slingers were often part of the light infantry, providing ranged support before the engagement of heavier troops. The effectiveness of the sling in battle is evidenced by its continued use throughout ancient history, even as more advanced weaponry was developed.

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons:

The use of the sling in the Bible often symbolizes the triumph of faith and divine intervention over human strength and might. David's victory over Goliath serves as a powerful reminder that God can use the humble and the lowly to achieve His purposes. The sling, in this context, becomes a symbol of reliance on God's power rather than human ability.

Furthermore, the precision and skill required to use a sling effectively can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual discipline and the importance of being prepared and equipped for the battles of life. Just as a skilled slinger must practice and hone their abilities, believers are called to cultivate their faith and trust in God, ready to face challenges with confidence in His provision and guidance.Sling

[ARMS, ARMOR]

Sling

An instrument much used in war before the invention of firearms. It was a formidable weapon in hands like those of David and the Benjamites, Jud 20:16 1 Samuel 17:48-50 1 Chronicles 12:2 2 Chronicles 26:14.

With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Samuel 17:40, 49). There were 700 Benjamites who were so skilled in its use that with the left hand they "could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss" (Judges 20:16; 1 Chronicles 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2 Kings 3:25). (see ARMS.)

The words in Proverbs 26:8, "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling," etc. (Authorized Version), should rather, as in the Revised Version, be "As a bag of gems in a heap of stones," etc.

1. (n.) An instrument for throwing stones or other missiles, consisting of a short strap with two strings fastened to its ends, or with a string fastened to one end and a light stick to the other. The missile being lodged in a hole in the strap, the ends of the string are taken in the hand, and the whole whirled rapidly round until, by loosing one end, the missile is let fly with centrifugal force.

2. (n.) The act or motion of hurling as with a sling; a throw; figuratively, a stroke.

3. (n.) A contrivance for sustaining anything by suspension

4. (n.) A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported.

5. (n.) A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering.

6. (n.) A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder.

7. (n.) A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast; -- chiefly in the plural.

8. (v. t.) To throw with a sling.

9. (v. t.) To throw; to hurl; to cast.

10. (v. t.) To hang so as to swing; as, to sling a pack.

11. (v. t.) To pass a rope round, as a cask, gun, etc., preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.

12. (n.) A drink composed of spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.

SLING

See ARMOR, III, 2.

4773. margemah -- a sling
... 4772, 4773. margemah. 4774 . a sling. Transliteration: margemah Phonetic
Spelling: (mar-gay-maw') Short Definition: sling. Word ...
/hebrew/4773.htm - 6k

7049. qala' -- to sling, hurl forth
... 7048, 7049. qala'. 7049a . to sling, hurl forth. Transliteration: qala' Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-lah') Short Definition: carve. carve, sling out ...
/hebrew/7049.htm - 5k

7050a. qela -- a sling
... qela. 7050b . a sling. Transliteration: qela Short Definition: sling. Word Origin
from qala Definition a sling NASB Word Usage sling (5), slingstones* (1). ...
/hebrew/7050a.htm - 5k

7050. qela' -- a sling
... 7049b, 7050. qela'. 7050a . a sling. Transliteration: qela' Phonetic Spelling:
(keh'-lah) Short Definition: hanging. hanging, leaf, sling ...
/hebrew/7050.htm - 5k

7049a. qala -- to sling, hurl forth
... to sling, hurl forth. Transliteration: qala Short Definition: sling. ... root Definition
to sling, hurl forth NASB Word Usage sling (2), slinging (1), slung (1). ...
/hebrew/7049a.htm - 5k

68. eben -- a stone
... From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone -- + carbuncle, + mason, +
plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-)stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). ...
/hebrew/68.htm - 6k

3709. kaph -- hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot) ...
... From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole,
and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a ...
/hebrew/3709.htm - 6k

Use what You Have.
... its new leader. David had only a leather sling, home-made likely, and a
few smooth stones out of the running brook. He had skill ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/use what you have.htm

The victory of Unarmed Faith
... his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put
them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the victory of unarmed faith.htm

David.
... So he went out in his shepherd's dress, with only his staff and sling; and Goliath,
who was very angry at this, cried out: "Am Ia dog, that thou comest against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/david.htm

David and Goliath.
... His sling is on his arm, and his bag by his side. ... Thus God enabled this ruddy youth
to overcome the giant Philistine, and to slay him with a sling and a stone. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/david and goliath.htm

The Folly and Danger of Being not Righteous Enough
... But as David came out against Goliath, not armed as the champion was, with sword
and spear, but with a sling and stone, and then cut off his head with his own ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the folly and danger of.htm

Saul's Armor. 1Sam 17:38-40
... And ventured forth with none. With only sling and pebble. He fought the fight of
faith; ... To plead the name of Jesus,. And use the sling of prayer; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 28 sauls armor 1sam.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... He was down in the hollow with his shepherd's staff and dog and sling, playing upon
his harp, and watching from afar the fire and smoke and crowds, as he kept ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

The Power of a Pebble.
... He took his staff in hand, and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them
in his shepherd's bag, and with his sling in his hand, he drew near to the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xx the power of.htm

The Story of David, the Shepherd Boy
... And David, alone all day, practiced throwing stones in a sling, until he
could strike exactly the place for which he aimed. When ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of david the.htm

The Story of David
... There was another thing, too, that he learned to do with the same care and patient
perseverance, and that was to use his shepherd's sling. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/david the shepherd boy/the story of david.htm

Sling (11 Occurrences)
... With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Samuel 17:40, 49). ... The
words in Proverbs 26:8, "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling," etc. ...
/s/sling.htm - 12k

Sling-stones (2 Occurrences)
Sling-stones. Slingstones, Sling-stones. Slink . Multi-Version
Concordance Sling-stones (2 Occurrences). Job 41:28 The ...
/s/sling-stones.htm - 7k

Armor (53 Occurrences)
... I. ARMOR IN GENERAL-OLD TESTAMENT II. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT; POLYBIUS III. OFFENSIVE
WEAPONS 1. Rod 2. Sling 3. Bow and Arrows 4. Spear-Javelin 5. Sword IV. ...
/a/armor.htm - 41k

Arms (166 Occurrences)
... I. ARMOR IN GENERAL-OLD TESTAMENT II. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT; POLYBIUS III. OFFENSIVE
WEAPONS 1. Rod 2. Sling 3. Bow and Arrows 4. Spear-Javelin 5. Sword IV. ...
/a/arms.htm - 56k

Pocket (3 Occurrences)
... his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put
them in the shepherd's bag that he had, into the pocket; and his sling was in ...
/p/pocket.htm - 8k

Bought (66 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A flexure; a bend; a twist; a turn; a coil, as
in a rope. 2. (n.) The part of a sling that contains the stone. 3. (v.) imp. ...
/b/bought.htm - 28k

Lefthanded (2 Occurrences)
... The other instance is that of the 700 selected Benjamites, who, though lefthanded,
"could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss" (Judges 20:16; of 1 ...
/l/lefthanded.htm - 8k

Bundle (8 Occurrences)
... God. He will sling out the souls of your enemies, as from the hollow of
a sling. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Song ...
/b/bundle.htm - 10k

Slingers (2 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 9:15 Jehovah of Hosts doth cover them over, And they consumed, and subdued
sling-stones, Yea, they have drunk, They have made a noise as wine, And ...
/s/slingers.htm - 7k

Securely (43 Occurrences)
... life with Yahweh your God. He will sling out the souls of your enemies,
as from the hollow of a sling. (See NIV). 1 Kings 2:24 Now ...
/s/securely.htm - 18k

Why did David choose five smooth stones before going to fight Goliath? | GotQuestions.org

Who killed Goliath, David or Elhanan? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about fortitude? | GotQuestions.org

Sling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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