1 Samuel 17:54

54 David got Goliath's head and took it to Jerusalem, but he kept Goliath's weapons in his own tent.

1 Samuel 17:54 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 17:54

And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to
Jerusalem
After he had been introduced with it to Saul, and when he had passed through various cities in Israel, carrying the head in triumph; where he was congratulated by the women, who came out singing and dancing, and speaking highly in his commendation and praise: why he carried it to Jerusalem is not easy to say, this not being a royal city, nor was it wholly in the hands of the Israelites; part of it indeed was in the possession of Judah and Benjamin, but the stronghold of Zion was possessed by the Jebusites; and it is generally thought that it was to the terror of them that the head of Goliath was carried there. R. Joseph Kimchi thinks, that Nob, where the tabernacle was at this time, was surnamed Jerusalem, but for what reason cannot be said:

but he put his armour in his tent;
not where the army was encamped before the engagement; for David had not his tent there, and beside the camp broke up upon this victory obtained; but rather in his tent or apartment at Bethlehem, when he returned thither, and where he laid up the armour he took from Goliath; though Abarbinel thinks, and so other Jews F17, that by his tent is meant the tabernacle of the Lord, called David's, because of his attachment to it; and certain it is that the sword of Goliath was either now, or at least hereafter, laid up there, see ( 1 Samuel 21:9 ) ; where all that went to sacrifice might see it, and call to mind this wonderful instance of the power and goodness of God, and praise him for it.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 Hieron. Trad. Heb. in lib. Reg. fol. 76. E.

1 Samuel 17:54 In-Context

52 The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them, pursuing them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.
53 When the Israelites came back from pursuing the Philistines, they looted their camp.
54 David got Goliath's head and took it to Jerusalem, but he kept Goliath's weapons in his own tent.
55 When Saul saw David going out to fight Goliath, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, "Abner, whose son is he?" "I have no idea, Your Majesty," Abner answered.
56 "Then go and find out," Saul ordered.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.