In biblical times, slingers were individuals skilled in the use of the sling, a simple yet effective weapon used for hurling stones with great accuracy and force. The sling consisted of a pouch attached to two cords, and it was swung in a circular motion before releasing one of the cords to launch the projectile. Slingers played a significant role in ancient warfare and are mentioned in several biblical accounts.

Historical Context and Usage

The sling was a common weapon in the ancient Near East, valued for its simplicity and effectiveness. It required minimal resources to construct and could be wielded by individuals of various ages and physical abilities. Slingers were often part of the light infantry in ancient armies, providing support to heavier troops by disrupting enemy formations and targeting key individuals from a distance.

Biblical References

One of the most famous biblical accounts involving a slinger is the account of David and Goliath. David, a young shepherd, faced the Philistine giant Goliath armed only with a sling and five smooth stones. In 1 Samuel 17:49 , it is recorded: "Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground." This account highlights the sling's potential to be a deadly weapon in the hands of a skilled user.

Another reference to slingers is found in the account of the Benjamites, who were renowned for their proficiency with the sling. Judges 20:16 notes: "Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select left-handed men, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss." This passage underscores the precision and skill that could be achieved with rigorous training.

Military Significance

Slingers were often deployed in battle to harass and weaken enemy forces before a direct confrontation. Their ability to strike from a distance made them valuable assets in both offensive and defensive operations. The effectiveness of slingers depended on their accuracy, speed, and the element of surprise, allowing them to inflict significant damage on enemy troops.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

The use of the sling in the Bible also carries symbolic and spiritual implications. David's victory over Goliath with a sling is often interpreted as a demonstration of faith and divine intervention. It serves as a reminder that God can use seemingly insignificant means to achieve great victories, emphasizing the importance of faith and reliance on divine strength rather than human might.

Conclusion

Slingers, though often overlooked, played a crucial role in biblical narratives and ancient warfare. Their skill and precision with the sling made them formidable opponents, and their accounts continue to inspire lessons of faith, courage, and the power of God working through humble means.7051. qalla -- slinger
... slinger. Transliteration: qalla Phonetic Spelling: (kal-law') Short Definition:
slingers. Word Origin from qala Definition slinger NASB Word Usage slingers (1). ...
/hebrew/7051.htm - 6k

How to Read the Bible
... I have heard that the mothers in the Balearic Isles, in the old times, who wanted
to bring their boys up to be good slingers, would put their dinners up above ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/how to read the bible.htm

Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ...
... But when Vespasian had set against them the archers and slingers, and the whole
multitude that could throw to a great distance, he permitted them to go to work ...
/.../chapter 7 vespasian when he.htm

The Dark was Lifting as Vergilius Entered the Field of Mars. ...
... "For a time, at least, Rome will be dear to him.". There were forty men riding
in the troop, all lancers, saving a few slingers and bowmen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 11 the dark was.htm

How Pompey had the City of Jerusalem Delivered up to Him but Took ...
... high towers upon the bank, and brought those engines which they had fetched from
Tyre near to the wall, and tried to batter it down; and the slingers of stones ...
/.../chapter 7 how pompey had.htm

The Siege and Taking of Gamala.
... and was endeavoring to speak to those that were on the walls about a surrender,
he was hit with a stone on his right elbow by one of the slingers; he was then ...
/.../chapter 1 the siege and.htm

A Refutation on the Ground of the Constitution of the Universe.
... succession, and disposes the heavy-armed infantry in their due array, and the
javelin-men by themselves, and the archers separately, and the slingers in like ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/iii a refutation on the.htm

That Vespasian, after He had Taken Gadara Made Preparation for the ...
... again. These men also set their engines to cast darts and stones withal,
upon those towers, with their archers and slingers. And ...
/.../chapter 9 that vespasian after.htm

2 Cor. I. 12
... all that one is to consider, but also that in this multitude of thoughts, there
are many generals, and colonels, and captains, and archers, and slingers. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iii 2 cor i.htm

The Sound in the Mulberry Trees
... You should do as the ancient slingers did. If they saw a warrior lift his helmet,
in they would put the stone, before he could get the helmet down again. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the sound in the mulberry.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... troops thrown out to the front began the action by letting fly volleys of arrows
and stones, which through the skill of the bowmen and slingers did deadly ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

Slingers (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Slingers (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 3:25 And they
beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast ...
/s/slingers.htm - 7k

Benjamin (167 Occurrences)
... The tribe of Benjamin was famous for its archers (1 Samuel 20:20, 36; 2 Samuel
1:22; 1 Chronicles 8:40; 12:2) and slingers (Judges 20:6). ...
/b/benjamin.htm - 50k

Sling (11 Occurrences)

/s/sling.htm - 12k

Siege (63 Occurrences)
... and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it" (Jeremiah 52:4; compare
2 Kings 25:1). From the commencement of the siege, slingers and archers ...
/s/siege.htm - 51k

Assyria (124 Occurrences)
... the Old Testament. The army consisted of cavalry, infantry, bowmen and
slingers, as well as of a corps of charioteers. After the ...
/a/assyria.htm - 101k

Kirhareseth (2 Occurrences)
... and filled it, and they stopped every well of water, and felled every good tree,
until they left only the stones at Kirhareseth; and the slingers went about it ...
/k/kirhareseth.htm - 8k

Kir-hareseth (3 Occurrences)
... stopped all the fountains of water, and felled all the good trees, until in
Kir-hareseth only they left the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about ...
/k/kir-hareseth.htm - 8k

Kir-haraseth (1 Occurrence)
... it, and every fountain of water they stop, and every good tree they cause to fall --
till one had left its stones in Kir-Haraseth, and the slingers go round ...
/k/kir-haraseth.htm - 8k

Kir-har'eseth (2 Occurrences)
... fountains of water, and felled all the good trees; until there was left only
Kir-hareseth with the stones of the wall thereof; so the slingers encompassed it ...
/k/kir-har'eseth.htm - 7k

Kirhara-seth (1 Occurrence)
... filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees:
only in Kirhara-seth they left the stones of it; but the slingers went about ...
/k/kirhara-seth.htm - 6k

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