Ark of the Covenant - Bible History Online
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sling Summary and Overview

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sling in Easton's Bible Dictionary

With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Sam. 17:40, 49). There were 700 Benjamites who were so skilled in its use that with the left hand they "could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss" (Judg. 20:16; 1 Chr. 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2 Kings 3:25). (See ARMS T0000315.) The words in Prov. 26:8, "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling," etc. (Authorized Version), should rather, as in the Revised Version, be "As a bag of gems in a heap of stones," etc.

sling in Smith's Bible Dictionary

[ARMS]

sling in Schaff's Bible Dictionary

SLING . See Arms.

sling in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(See ARMS.) 1 Samuel 17:40. Smooth stones were preferred. The Benjamites' expertness with it was famed (Judges 20:16; 1 Chronicles 12:2). Suited for skirmishing, and for striking the besieged (2 Kings 3:25; 2 Chronicles 26:14). Two strings attached to a leather center, the hollow receptacle of the stone, composed it. 1 Samuel 25:29, "the soul of thine enemies Itc will hurl away in the cup (kaph) of the sling." It was swung round the head, then one string was let go and the stone hurled out. Image of "sudden and violent removal" (Jeremiah 10:18). Translated Zechariah 9:15, "they (the Jews) shall tread under foot the sling stones" hurled at them by the foe, and falling harmless at their feet (Job 41:28). Their foes shall be as such sling stones when fallen under foot; in contrast to God's people (Zechariah 9:16), "the (precious) stones of a crown." In Proverbs 26:8, "as he that bindeth a stone in a sling" (margemah, distinct from qela' a "sling"), the stone bound is useless to the slinger; so "honour" is useless when "given to a feel" (Ewald). Maurer translated "hurleth." Chaldean, Syriac, and Arabic support KJV; the Vulgate supports margin, "as he that putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones." KJV is best.