Definition: And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherdâs bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling [was] in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 17:40. It’s a really interesting passage about David's preparation for battle! Here’s what it means, explained simply: Basically, David was preparing for a big fight against Goliath. Let’s unpack each part: “And he took his staff in his hand…” : This shows David was serious and focused. He wasn’t just casually thinking about the battle; he was actively preparing. “…and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook…” : This is a really unusual detail! David didn't use a sling or weapon like a regular warrior would. Instead, he carefully selected five smooth stones from a stream (the "brook"). The stones were smooth – this suggests they were polished by the water. “…and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had…” : David carried these stones in a small, woven pouch he had made. It looks like a simple shepherd's bag – it was likely designed to protect the stones during his journey. “even in a scrip;” : This is a fancy word for a piece of cloth or material used to wrap something. David was wrapping the stones in this cloth. “and his sling in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” : He held his sling ready, ready to use it. He was moving closer to Goliath’s territory – a very significant step in preparing for a confrontation. So, what's the big takeaway? David wasn't going to fight Goliath with brute force. Instead, he used cleverness and preparation. He chose stones, wrapped them, and moved closer to the enemy, demonstrating his strategic thinking and readiness. It’s a powerful image of David's faith and preparation for a significant challenge. Does that make sense? Do you want me to explain any part in more detail or perhaps connect this verse to something else in the Bible? For example, we could talk about: The significance of the stones – what do they symbolize? David’s overall strategy in the story of the battle.