King James Bible Dictionary

With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Samuel 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" (Judges 20:16; 1 Chronicles 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2 Kings 3:25). (See ARMOUR.)

The words in Proverbs 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.

Used for throwing stones
Proverbs 26:8

David slays Goliath with
1 Samuel 17:40-50

Dextrous use of
Judges 20:16

Used in war
Judges 20:16; 2 Kings 3:25; 2 Chronicles 26:14
Armies; Arms

[ARMS, ARMOR]

SLING, noun

1. An instrument for throwing stones, consisting of a strap and two strings; the stone being lodged in the strap, is thrown by losing one of the strings With a sling and a stone David killed Goliath.

2. A throw; a stroke.

3. A kind of hanging bandage put round the neck, in which a wounded limb is sustained.

4. A rope by which a cask or bale is suspended and swung in or out of a ship

5. A drink composed of equal parts of rum or spirit and water sweetened.

SLING, verb transitive preterit tense and participle passive slung. [The primary sense seems to be to swing.]

1. To throw with a sling

2. To throw; to hurl.

3. To hang so as to swing; as, to sling a pack.

4. To move or swing by a rope which suspends the thing.

SLING'ER, noun One who slings or uses the sling.

SLING'ING, participle present tense Throwing with a sling; hanging so as to swing; moving by a sling.