Before David Became King 17:50 no sword. Iron weapons were scarce in Israel (13:9). 17:51 cut off his head. David completed his promise given to Goliath in v. 46a. The Philistines would later do the same with Saul’s head (1 Sam. 31:9). fled. David’s exclamation that there is a God in Israel (v. 46) was proven before the Philistines, who were no strangers to the wrath of Yahweh (1 Sam. 5–7). They wisely fled in terror, but did not honor the terms of Goliath if he lost (17:6–9). 17:54 to Jerusalem.