(See ARMS.) 1 Samuel 17:40. Smooth stones were preferred. The Benjamites' expertness with it was famed (Judges 20:16; 1 Chronicles 12:2). Suited for skirmishing, and for striking the besieged (2 Kings 3:25; 2 Chronicles 26:14). Two strings attached to a leather center, the hollow receptacle of the stone, composed it. 1 Samuel 25:29, "the soul of thine enemies Itc will hurl away in the cup (kaph) of the sling." It was swung round the head, then one string was let go and the stone hurled out.
        Image of "sudden and violent removal" (Jeremiah 10:18). Translated Zechariah 9:15, "they (the Jews) shall tread under foot the sling stones" hurled at them by the foe, and falling harmless at their feet (Job 41:28). Their foes shall be as such sling stones when fallen under foot; in contrast to God's people (Zechariah 9:16), "the (precious) stones of a crown." In Proverbs 26:8, "as he that bindeth a stone in a sling" (margemah, distinct from qela' a "sling"), the stone bound is useless to the slinger; so "honour" is useless when "given to a feel" (Ewald). Maurer translated "hurleth." Chaldean, Syriac, and Arabic support KJV; the Vulgate supports margin, "as he that putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones." KJV is best.