Topical Encyclopedia
The sling is an ancient weapon mentioned in the Bible, primarily used for hurling stones with great force and accuracy. It consists of a pouch attached to two cords, which, when swung and released, propels a stone towards a target. The sling was a common tool in ancient warfare and hunting, valued for its simplicity and effectiveness.
Biblical References:1.
David and Goliath: The most famous biblical account involving a sling is the account of David and Goliath. In
1 Samuel 17, the young shepherd David uses a sling to defeat the Philistine giant Goliath. David's choice of weapon highlights his faith in God rather than reliance on conventional armor and weaponry. As David declares to Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (
1 Samuel 17:45). David's victory with a sling stone demonstrates God's power working through humble means.
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 troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss" . This passage underscores the precision and expertise of Benjamite slingers, emphasizing their role in Israel's military capabilities.
3.
Military Use: Slings were a standard part of ancient military arsenals. In
2 Kings 3:25, during the campaign against Moab, the Israelites used slings to destroy the cities: "They demolished the cities, and each man threw a stone on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up all the springs and cut down every good tree" . This illustrates the strategic use of slings in warfare to achieve tactical objectives.
Symbolism and Lessons:The sling, as depicted in the Bible, often symbolizes the triumph of faith and divine providence over human strength and weaponry. David's use of the sling against Goliath serves as a powerful reminder that God can use the seemingly weak and insignificant to accomplish His purposes. The account encourages believers to trust in God's power rather than their own abilities or resources.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, slings were not only weapons of war but also tools for shepherds to protect their flocks from predators. The skill required to use a sling effectively was often developed from a young age, particularly among shepherds like David. The sling's portability and the availability of ammunition (stones) made it an accessible and practical weapon for many.
Conclusion:The biblical accounts of slings highlight their significance in both historical and spiritual contexts. They serve as a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient peoples, as well as a metaphor for the power of faith and divine intervention in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Library
Elucidations.
... (Hebrews 12:3.) Impatience of obscurity, of poverty, of ingratitude, of
misrepresentation, of "theslings and arrows" of slander and abuse, is a revolt...
How Moses Conquered Sihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and...
... quick in the pursuit, they overtook their enemies; and for those that were most
remote, and could not be overtaken, they reached them by theirslings and their...
How the Canaanites Brought the Israelites under Slavery for Twenty...
... a vast quantity of rain and hail, and the wind blew the rain in the face of the
Canaanites, and so darkened their eyes, that their arrows andslings were of no...
Petilianus Said: "Here You have the Fullest Possible Proof that a...
... passing the whole night in company with women who have no husbands, they have learned
not only to brandish cudgels, but to wield swords and whirlslings....
A Sedition against Sabinus; and How Varus Brought the Authors of...
... court of the temple, where a great fight was still continued, and they cast stones
at the Romans, partly with their hands, and partly withslings, as being...
Instability
... It is a great mercy for us that frames andslings are not always the index of our
security, for we are as safe when we are mourning as we are when we are...
The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... It could be drawn together under the arms, which rested in its folds as inslings.
It seemed to be a penitential or praying garment or a traveling cloak....
Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How...
... He also divided his whole army into bands, and armed them, giving every one a sword,
with brazen bucklers and breastplates, with bows andslings; and besides...
How the War of the Jews with the Romans Began, and Concerning...
... the upper city [Mount Sion;] for the seditious part had the lower city and the temple
in their power; so they made use of stones andslings perpetually against...
A Pair of Friends
... the only thing that will make a life absolutely sovereign over sorrow, and fixedly
unperturbed by all tempests, and invulnerable to all 'theslings and arrows...
Thesaurus
Slings (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Slings (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 3:25 They beat
down the cities; and on every good piece of land they cast
...Quarter (33 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The after-part of a vessel's side, generally corresponding in extent with
the quarter-deck; also, the part of the yardarm outside of theslings. 11....
Felled (8 Occurrences)
... stopped all the springs of water, and felled all the good trees, until in Kir Hareseth
only they left its stones; however the men armed withslings went about...
Ram (96 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) In ancient warfare, a long beam suspended byslings in a framework,
and used for battering the walls of cities; a battering-ram....
Prepareth (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 26:14 And Uzziah prepareth for them, for all the host, shields, and
spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, even to stones of theslings...
Conquered (20 Occurrences)
... stopped all the springs of water, and felled all the good trees, until in Kir Hareseth
only they left its stones; however the men armed withslings went about...
Artillery (1 Occurrence)
... equipment of war. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) Munitions of war; implements
for warfare, asslings, bows, and arrows. 2. (n.) Cannon...
Armor (53 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:5-7); and from a much later time we read of shields and spears and helmets
and habergeons, or coats of mail, and bows andslings with which Uzziah...
Arms (166 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:5-7); and from a much later time we read of shields and spears and helmets
and habergeons, or coats of mail, and bows andslings with which Uzziah...
Slinging-stones (1 Occurrence)
Slinging-stones. Slinging, Slinging-stones.Slings . Multi-Version Concordance...
(DBY). Slinging, Slinging-stones.Slings . Reference Bible.
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