1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
And he [David] took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had 1 Samuel 17:40
Introduction
The story of David and Goliath is perhaps the most famous “underdog” narrative in human history, a timeless tale of courage, duty, and radical faith in the face of insurmountable odds. Set in the Valley of Elah, the scene features a terrifying Philistine champion standing over nine feet tall, encased in 126 pounds of bronze armor, who for forty days defied the armies of the living God. While King Saul and his veteran soldiers trembled in fear, it was a young shepherd boy who stepped forward, armed not with a sword or spear, but with a simple sling and a deep trust in the name of the Lord.
At the heart of this confrontation lies a small but profound detail: David’s choice of ammunition. He bypassed the king’s heavy armor and instead chose five smooth stones from a stream. This act has fascinated biblical scholars for centuries, sparking numerous theories about why he needed five stones if his faith was so absolute. Was he simply being prudent and prepared for other contingencies? Or was he aware of a literal giant in Gath named Rapha who had four other fearsome sons, meaning David was prepared to take down the entire family?
Weapon of Choice
Why stones? Unless we understand the Hebrew undertones in the story of David and Goliath, we may miss a subtle message of the five stones. Beyond the tactical questions, the stones themselves hold a rich linguistic and spiritual significance.
Let’s examine the word stone or rock in Hebrew, it is eben and looks like this: אבן The Aleph, א , is the first character in the Hebrew alphabet and represents God or Heavenly Father. The Bet, ב , combined with the Nun, ן , means Son in Hebrew or Jesus Christ. Hence, stone in Hebrew means the Father and the Son. Furthermore, these stones were retrieved from a brook or stream (nachal), a word whose root also means to “inherit” or “possess,” showing that David drew his strength from living waters.
David specifically selected smooth stones from the riverbed. In Hebrew, stones shaped and smoothed by moving water represent a vessel refined by the Holy Spirit. The five stones represented a heart that had been completely smoothed, humbled, and made ready for divine use through past trials like David’s previous victories over the lion and the bear.
“I am like a huge rough stone…and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force…thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almightly.”
Joseph Smith
Why five? The question of why David selected five stones when he only needed one to defeat Goliath has intrigued scholars for centuries, leading to a variety of historical, tactical, and symbolic theories.
1. Prepared for Goliath’s Relatives
The most popular historical theory is that David was preparing to face Goliath’s family members. Biblical records in 2 Samuel 21 and 1 Chronicles 20 mention four other giants from Gath—Ishbi-benob, Saph, Lahmi (Goliath’s brother), and an unnamed giant with twenty-four digits—who were all descendants of the giant Rapha. Under this theory, David chose five stones to ensure he had one for Goliath and one for each of his potential “giant” reinforcements.
2. Tactical Prudence and Contingency
Many scholars argue that David was simply being practically prepared for the unpredictable nature of combat:
- The “Miss” Factor: Despite his skill, David may have realized that even a master marksman might miss his first shot or that the first stone might not be lethal.
- Multiple Opponents: David might have anticipated that the Philistine army would charge if their champion fell, or that Goliath’s shield-bearer might intervene.
- Logistics: On a more mundane level, some suggest five stones were simply the amount that comfortably filled his shepherd’s pouch.
3. Theological and Allegorical Interpretations
For those who view the account through a symbolic lens, the number five holds deep spiritual significance:
- The Torah: A common allegory suggests the five stones represent the five books of Moses (the Torah), implying that the Word of God is the weapon that defeats the “beast”.
- Divine Grace: In biblical numerology, five is often associated with God’s grace. In Hebrew tradition, the number five (חמש, chamesh) symbolizes grace, divine favor, and redemption. Five is represented by Hei, (ה) the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It visually portrays a window or a person with raised hands, translating to “to look” or “behold”.
- Pattern of Calling: David’s use of a simple stone and slingshot exemplifies a recurring pattern where Jehovah chooses the humble—such as Galilean fishermen or a “lad with a slingshot”—to face overwhelming odds, marking the “unfolding of His merciful plan of salvation”.
Conclusion
Ultimately, only one stone was needed to take down Goliath. This single victory transformed the “smooth stone” into a symbol of a life refined by the “living waters” of trials and persistent repentance. David’s triumph serves as a timeless reminder that when we face our own “Goliaths,” we should develop our skills, prepare for contingencies, and place our absolute trust in the name of the Lord. As President Oaks taught, “At times all of us must stand against those who mock and revile. Some of us, sometime, will face some earthly power as mighty as Goliath. When that happens, we should emulate the courage of David, who was mighty because he had faith and he went forth in a righteous cause in the name of the Lord of Hosts”.
