The term "slung" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of using a sling, a simple weapon used for hurling stones. This weapon is notably mentioned in the account of David and Goliath, where David, a young shepherd, uses a sling to defeat the Philistine giant Goliath. The sling was a common tool in ancient warfare and shepherding, used both for protection and hunting.

David and Goliath

The most famous biblical account involving a sling is found in 1 Samuel 17. David, the youngest son of Jesse, is sent to the battlefield to deliver food to his brothers. Upon arrival, he hears the taunts of Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior challenging the Israelites. David volunteers to fight Goliath, rejecting the conventional armor offered by King Saul. Instead, he chooses to face the giant with his sling and five smooth stones from a brook.

1 Samuel 17:49 describes the pivotal moment: "Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground." This act of faith and skill demonstrates David's reliance on God rather than human strength or weaponry.

Symbolism and Significance

The use of the sling by David is symbolic of God's power working through seemingly weak and insignificant means. It highlights the biblical theme that God often chooses the humble and lowly to accomplish His purposes, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27 : "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

Other Biblical References

While the account of David and Goliath is the most prominent, slings are mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. In Judges 20:16 , the Benjamites are noted for their skill with the sling: "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 underscores the precision and effectiveness of the sling as a weapon.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient times, the sling was a common weapon among shepherds and soldiers. It consisted of a pouch attached to two cords, used to hurl stones with great force and accuracy. The sling's simplicity and effectiveness made it a valuable tool for both hunting and warfare. Its use required significant skill and practice, as evidenced by the Benjamites' reputation for accuracy.

Spiritual Lessons

The account of David and his sling serves as a powerful reminder of faith and trust in God. It encourages believers to rely on God's strength rather than their own abilities or resources. David's victory over Goliath is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of obedience to God's calling, regardless of one's perceived limitations.

In summary, the concept of "slung" in the Bible, particularly in the account of David and Goliath, illustrates the triumph of faith and divine intervention over human might and intimidation. It serves as an enduring example of how God empowers the faithful to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.1. (imp.) of Sling.

2. (p. p.) of Sling.

3. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Sling.

8522. teli -- a quiver (with its arrows)
... quiver (1). quiver. Probably from talah; a quiver (as slung) -- quiver. see
HEBREW talah. 8521, 8522. teli. 8523 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8522.htm - 6k

7050. qela' -- a sling
... hanging, leaf, sling From qala'; a sling; also a (door) screen (as if slung across),
or the valve (of the door) itself -- hanging, leaf, sling. ...
/hebrew/7050.htm - 5k

7049a. qala -- to sling, hurl forth
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to sling, hurl forth NASB Word Usage sling
(2), slinging (1), slung (1). 7049, 7049a. qala. 7049b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7049a.htm - 5k

1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush ...
... He told us of an Indian mother who would walk eight miles to hear the Gospel, with
one baby slung over her back, in its curious mummy-like cradle, and another ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter viii 1879-1880 experiences among.htm

On the Road
... But it was odd to see so brilliant a figure on foot in the dusty highway; still
more odd that be carried a rough bundle slung on a staff over his and that ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter i on the road.htm

Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10 ...
... He makes us feel that he has been charged against his will and he hurtles on his
career like one slung at a target who knows that in fulfilling his commission ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 protest and agony i.htm

David and Goliath.
... He went, slung one of the smooth stones he had chosen out of the brook, smote the
Philistine in the forehead so that he fell to the earth, and then ran and cut ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/david and goliath.htm

Putting on the Armour
... like the fellahin that one sometimes sees in Eastern lands, who cannot go out to
plough in their fields, or reap their harvests, without a gun slung on their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/putting on the armour.htm

Roots
... The men were fresh from the fields, and stood with their rough-looking husbandry
implements slung across their shoulders; the oxen, great meek-eyed beasts ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter viii roots.htm

David's victory Over the Giant
... When the Philistine started to attack him, David put his hand into his bag and took
from it a stone, and slung it and struck the Philistine in the forehead. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/davids victory over the giant.htm

Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ...
... within the walls which were reached by the engines; for the multitude of the Arabian
archers, as well also as all those that threw darts and slung stones, fell ...
/.../chapter 7 vespasian when he.htm

The Life of Malchus, the Captive Monk.
... flowing hair bound with fillets, their bodies half-naked, with their broad military
boots, their cloaks streaming behind them, and their quivers slung upon the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of malchus the.htm

A Casket of Jewels
... The babies of the Kindergarten not infrequently sit in the panniers, slung across
a donkey's back, or in baskets which a man will carry balanced on his shoulder ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xxiii a casket of.htm

Slung (2 Occurrences)
... & pp of Sling. Multi-Version Concordance Slung (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 17:6 He
had brass shin armor on his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders. ...
/s/slung.htm - 7k

Slur (1 Occurrence)

/s/slur.htm - 7k

Bag (52 Occurrences)
... It was made of the skin of animals, ordinarily undressed, as most of the other
"bags" of ancient times were, and was carried slung across the shoulder. ...
/b/bag.htm - 29k

Guide (89 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The leather strap by which the shield of a knight
was slung across the shoulder, or across the neck and shoulder. ...
/g/guide.htm - 37k

Facedown (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slung
it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his ...
/f/facedown.htm - 12k

Archery
... the Revised Version (British and American) "shafts"), were ordinarily, of course,
carried in the quiver, which was either placed on the back or slung on the ...
/a/archery.htm - 9k

Slumped (1 Occurrence)

/s/slumped.htm - 6k

Sank (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:49 David put his hand in his bag, took a stone, and slung it, and struck
the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and ...
/s/sank.htm - 12k

Forehead (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:49 David put his hand in his bag, took a stone, and slung it, and struck
the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and ...
/f/forehead.htm - 19k

Philistine (63 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:49 David put his hand in his bag, took a stone, and slung it, and struck
the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and ...
/p/philistine.htm - 29k

Was Goliath one of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

Slung: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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