Reference: Sling
American
An instrument much used in war before the invention of firearms. It was a formidable weapon in hands like those of David and the Benjamites, Jg 20:16; 1Sa 17:48-50; 1Ch 12:2; 2Ch 26:14.
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Easton
With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1Sa 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" (Jg 20:16; 1Ch 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2Ki 3:25). (See Armour.)
The words in Pr 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.
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Fausets
(See ARMS.) 1Sa 17:40. Smooth stones were preferred. The Benjamites' expertness with it was famed (Jg 20:16; 1Ch 12:2). Suited for skirmishing, and for striking the besieged (2Ki 3:25; 2Ch 26:14). Two strings attached to a leather center, the hollow receptacle of the stone, composed it. 1Sa 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" (Jer 10:18). Translated Zec 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 (Zec 9:16), "the (precious) stones of a crown." In Pr 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.
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Hastings
Morish
A simple weapon with which stones were thrown. It could easily be formed of a piece of leather with a small hole in the centre, and having two strings attached. A stone was placed in the hole in the leather, and swung round forcibly, when, by releasing one of the strings, the stone would fly away. It was used by shepherds to keep off such animals as wolves; David had one with which he smote Goliath. We read of some who were so skilled in its use as to throw a stone to a hair's breadth. It is mentioned among the weapons of war. Jg 20:16; 1Sa 17:40,50; 2Ki 3:25; 2Ch 26:14. On the Egyptian monuments men are portrayed using the sling.
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Smith
Sling.
[ARMS]
See Arms, Armor