Discovery Box1 Samuel 17:40 
Context17:40 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.
1 Samuel 17:43
Context17:43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you are coming after me with sticks?” 2 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 sn Sticks is a pejorative reference to David’s staff (v. 40); the same Hebrew word (מַקֵּל, maqqel) is used for both.
