Keith, thank you so much for expanding on this. I saw your statement about God sending David against Goliath armed with a weapon and it completely shattered any remaining apprehension I had about protecting God's people by any means necessary against the forces of evil the creep this earth. I will not hesitate.
David spent his life practicing the sling. God nudged him to do that. When the time came, it was more like sending in a Marine sniper than some young kid against Goliath. God knew what would slay the giant and so did David.
Superb summary of what really matters. The being prepared is what people want to neglect. Without the training you only rise to your lowest experience. Your comments are dead center on the target and should be used by many.
The sling is truly awesome, if a person develops the skill. However, it is quite limited at close range. The "bore-to-sight" distance is often substantial; it requires the slinger to be in a standing position; and it doesn't work in a cramped environment. In these circumstances, the staff, or a shorter baton, may be better. And a blade is also not to be forgotten, for its sheer decisiveness in close quarters.
I believe it is 1st Corinthians 16:13 & 14 that states, "Be on your guard; Stand firm in your faith: Be courageous; Be strong, do everything in love." [NIV] We do not take up arms to harm the attacker, but to defend our family of believers out of love for them. The attacker has the option of walking away without causing harm, just as Goliath could have chosen not to fight.
Also note that in David's account of the lion, he was in hand-to-paw combat after taking the lamb out of its mouth. Grabbing the lion by the beard. Job speaks of "breaking the jaws of the wicked." Anyone who has tried to take a bird away from a cat has a hint of why it would be necessary to break the jaw. Furthermore, David carried a staff, which as Goliath noted, is excellent for dealing with dogs. This would be priceless in a contact-range fight with a big animal. Either driving its nose into the brain, or driving the tip of the staff into the temple, or any other combination of high-powered maneuvers.
The sling is indeed a devastating weapon, which is why it has been used by armies and militia for millenia, right up to our time. It can launch a 2 or 3 ounce ball at about 200 feet per second, having similar energy to an arrow, but much more knockdown power--a Taylor Knockout Coefficient of around 40. The Romans used it extensively. With lead balls, it has an extreme range of about 600 yards, which is hard to match with anything else that was in use prior to the invention of gunpowder. The 19th-century historian, Bede, tells of Palestinian boys routinely killing birds at 100 yards with the sling.
The sling can also be used at contact range, as cordage.
My Apologies, I'm thinking of a sling shot not a Shepards sling. So no wood involved. But in this case if the Shepard sling is shortened, it'll make a forminable weapon, like bag of coins.
This is an excellent post. Some real insight that is often missed and I appreciate the message. Another point, the Army was there. The trained, uniformed professionals were also on scene. God didn't use them (on this particular day), he chose David.
Thank you for your continued sharing of knowledge and support. This gave me a different view and understanding of David and Goliath, and the reasoning behind weapons and training with them. God bless and continue to help you provide your service to His sheep and their protectors.
Absolutely right Keith! God bless you and all your endeavors. I wish more Christians would understand that. Another observation is that David never looked for trouble. It came looking for him. Isn't that just like satan and evil? It comes looking for God's people. Goliath called out Israel's best warrior to fight him. When no one came foreword David answered the call.
Excellent , insightful, deep revelation. Never saw it this way. I wondered why Jesus after Peter attacked Malchus didn't say throw away your sword, or why were you Peter carrying a sword. But after the incident Christ said Put away your sword.John 18. Obviously Jesus knew and permitted Peter to carry a sword. And they (except Jesus) didn't know what was going to happen that night. With Joshua, the people were armed (prepared) , but God's way was sending the singers on the Frontline at Jericho. Never the lest he had the people prepared. As to why he does this time and time again, only in his Great wisdom. As long as he gets the Glory.
Keith, thank you so much for expanding on this. I saw your statement about God sending David against Goliath armed with a weapon and it completely shattered any remaining apprehension I had about protecting God's people by any means necessary against the forces of evil the creep this earth. I will not hesitate.
David spent his life practicing the sling. God nudged him to do that. When the time came, it was more like sending in a Marine sniper than some young kid against Goliath. God knew what would slay the giant and so did David.
Superb summary of what really matters. The being prepared is what people want to neglect. Without the training you only rise to your lowest experience. Your comments are dead center on the target and should be used by many.
Good analogy Keith! If you've never seen one in action look up "Shepperd's Sling" YouTube.
I had no idea just how leathal they were until a couple of years ago.
The sling is truly awesome, if a person develops the skill. However, it is quite limited at close range. The "bore-to-sight" distance is often substantial; it requires the slinger to be in a standing position; and it doesn't work in a cramped environment. In these circumstances, the staff, or a shorter baton, may be better. And a blade is also not to be forgotten, for its sheer decisiveness in close quarters.
Thanks
“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle" —Psalms 144:1
Speaking of David’s Sling. Did you all know that Israel 🇮🇱 has a defense weapon called… “ DAVID’S SLING “ ?
It is a : Mid to Long Range Surface to Air Anti Ballistic Missile.
It is used to intercept
Enemy Plane. Drones. Ballistic Missiles.
GOD WILL DEFEND and AVENGE
HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL ! 🗡️
Amen!
Well written.
I believe it is 1st Corinthians 16:13 & 14 that states, "Be on your guard; Stand firm in your faith: Be courageous; Be strong, do everything in love." [NIV] We do not take up arms to harm the attacker, but to defend our family of believers out of love for them. The attacker has the option of walking away without causing harm, just as Goliath could have chosen not to fight.
Also note that in David's account of the lion, he was in hand-to-paw combat after taking the lamb out of its mouth. Grabbing the lion by the beard. Job speaks of "breaking the jaws of the wicked." Anyone who has tried to take a bird away from a cat has a hint of why it would be necessary to break the jaw. Furthermore, David carried a staff, which as Goliath noted, is excellent for dealing with dogs. This would be priceless in a contact-range fight with a big animal. Either driving its nose into the brain, or driving the tip of the staff into the temple, or any other combination of high-powered maneuvers.
The sling is indeed a devastating weapon, which is why it has been used by armies and militia for millenia, right up to our time. It can launch a 2 or 3 ounce ball at about 200 feet per second, having similar energy to an arrow, but much more knockdown power--a Taylor Knockout Coefficient of around 40. The Romans used it extensively. With lead balls, it has an extreme range of about 600 yards, which is hard to match with anything else that was in use prior to the invention of gunpowder. The 19th-century historian, Bede, tells of Palestinian boys routinely killing birds at 100 yards with the sling.
The sling can also be used at contact range, as cordage.
Similarly the "Butt" end of a wooden sling can be used like a pocket stick for close quarters.
My Apologies, I'm thinking of a sling shot not a Shepards sling. So no wood involved. But in this case if the Shepard sling is shortened, it'll make a forminable weapon, like bag of coins.
The staff sling also combines the shepherd's sling and the staff. I've played with it a bit. Seems less usable, in most ways.
This is an excellent post. Some real insight that is often missed and I appreciate the message. Another point, the Army was there. The trained, uniformed professionals were also on scene. God didn't use them (on this particular day), he chose David.
Well written...praying for our church homes
Thanks for this lesson.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Thank you for your continued sharing of knowledge and support. This gave me a different view and understanding of David and Goliath, and the reasoning behind weapons and training with them. God bless and continue to help you provide your service to His sheep and their protectors.
Luke 22:36…end of discussion
Absolutely right Keith! God bless you and all your endeavors. I wish more Christians would understand that. Another observation is that David never looked for trouble. It came looking for him. Isn't that just like satan and evil? It comes looking for God's people. Goliath called out Israel's best warrior to fight him. When no one came foreword David answered the call.
Excellent , insightful, deep revelation. Never saw it this way. I wondered why Jesus after Peter attacked Malchus didn't say throw away your sword, or why were you Peter carrying a sword. But after the incident Christ said Put away your sword.John 18. Obviously Jesus knew and permitted Peter to carry a sword. And they (except Jesus) didn't know what was going to happen that night. With Joshua, the people were armed (prepared) , but God's way was sending the singers on the Frontline at Jericho. Never the lest he had the people prepared. As to why he does this time and time again, only in his Great wisdom. As long as he gets the Glory.