In the narrative of 1 Samuel 17, David, the shepherd boy who would become king, is said to have killed Goliath, the Philistine giant, once. The account describes how David, armed with only a sling and a stone, and placing his faith in the Lord, struck Goliath on the forehead. The stone sank into Goliath’s forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. Thus, David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; he struck down the Philistine and killed him. There is no need for a second act of killing; the victory was complete with this single, decisive action.

“Then David ran and stood over the Philistine, took hold of his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and killed him; then he cut off his head with it.” (1 Samuel 17:51) This passage might seem like a second act of killing, but it is a continuation of the single event, a dramatic confirmation of Goliath’s defeat and death. The Bible recounts this episode as a pivotal moment where David’s faith in God is shown to deliver victory against overwhelming odds.