📖 Biblical Definition
A simple shepherd's weapon of two cords and a leather pouch holding a smooth stone, swung overhead and released to fling the stone with high velocity; in Scripture, the weapon David used against Goliath (1 Sam 17:49) and the proverbial figure of unwise honor (as a stone in a sling, so is honour to a fool, Prov 26:8). The Benjamites had seven hundred slingers who could each sling stones at an hair breadth (Judg 20:16).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
SLING, n.
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1. An instrument for throwing stones, consisting of a strap and two strings, by which the stone is whirled around the head, and then with a sudden jerk released. 2. A throw; a stroke. 3. A hanging bandage put round the neck.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Samuel 17:40 — "He took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook... and his sling was in his hand."
1 Samuel 17:49 — "David... took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead."
Judges 20:16 — "Seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth."
Proverbs 26:8 — "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern strategy never expects the sling; David always counts on it.
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1 Samuel 17 is a study in mismatched weapons. Goliath has bronze armor, a coat of mail, a brass helmet, greaves, a target, a spear like a weaver's beam, and a sword. David has a staff, five smooth stones, and a sling. Goliath laughs; David announces: I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts. Five smooth stones; one giant down.
Modern strategy keeps building Goliath's arsenal: bigger budgets, bigger platforms, bigger kingdoms-of-this-world weaponry. The Lord keeps using slings. The man who has practiced his sling on lions and bears in obscurity will not flinch when the giant stands up. Practice the sling. Carry the smooth stones. The Lord still routes the giant by unlikely weaponry.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew qela (H7050).
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H7050 — qela — sling; sling-stone
H68 — eben — stone
Usage
"Modern strategy never expects the sling; David always counts on it."
"The man who practiced the sling on lions and bears does not flinch at the giant."
"Five smooth stones; one giant down. The Lord routes the giant by unlikely weaponry."