Why did David want Goliath’s "head"? (1 Samuel 17:54)
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath[f] and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.
1 Samuel 17:48
ESV - 48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.
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Asked November 17 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
Perhaps David took the head of Goliath to Jerusalem as a combination of it being a "trophy of war" (similar to the manner in which the Philistines subsequently cut off Saul's head after having killed him in battle (1 Samuel 31:9)); as a visible evidence or reminder of God's care and protection of him; and also as a warning to the Jebusites in Jerusalem (which Israel had not yet conquered) of their coming subjugation to the Israelites (2 Samuel 5:6-10).
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