And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me. (1 Samuel 21:9)
By the position of the sword in the tabernacle and by the way in which it was wrapped, one would know that it was kept as a memorial of a great victory providentially given to Israel. David appeared happy over the thought of securing this sword, perhaps not so much for its military value as for the constant reminder it would be of the protective guidance of the Lord. He needed such encouragement at this moment.
Sword of Goliath.
All Goliath’s armor had become David’s own personal property. It is probable that previously he had himself presented the sword to the tabernacle as a thank offering to God. David was well aware that the tabernacle was not an armory, but probably thinking of the possibility of the sword’s still being there, he asked in an offhand manner whether the priest had any weapons he could borrow.