Question: How many stones did David take to fight Goliath?
Answer: 5. (I Samuel 17:40)
Comments: David carried five smooth stones with him into battle against Goliath. There was an excess of four as David needed only one to defeat the Phistine giant. No reason is given in Scripture for the spare rocks though many have conjectured. Some claim Goliath had four brothers (based upon II Samuel 21:19-22) and that David was preparing for retribution. Others find symbolic meaning in the number with five representing the five books of the Torah. By this rationale, David fell his enemy with no less than the word of God. Some Rabbinic literature claims the stones actually spoke to David saying, "By us you will kill the giant." Some have equated this with Jesus' claim that if Israel had not acknowledged Him, stones would (Luke 19:40).
He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine. (I Samuel 17:40, NASB)
Regardless of how many stones David toted into battle, to any spectator David appeared defenseless and overmatched in this contest.
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