1 Samuel 17:40-43

17:40 He took his staff in his hand, picked out five smooth stones from the stream, placed them in the pouch 1  of his shepherd’s bag, took his sling in hand, and approached the Philistine.

17:41 2 The Philistine kept coming closer to David, with his shield bearer walking in front of him. 17:42 When the Philistine looked carefully at David, he despised him, for he was only a ruddy and handsome boy. 17:43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you are coming after me with sticks?” 3  Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

1 tn This Hebrew word occurs only here and its exact meaning is not entirely clear. It refers to a receptacle of some sort and apparently was a common part of a shepherd’s equipment. Here it serves as a depository for the stones that David will use in his sling.

2 tc Most LXX mss lack v. 41.

3 sn Sticks is a pejorative reference to David’s staff (v. 40); the same Hebrew word (מַקֵּל, maqqel) is used for both.