It is possible that Goliath did not see David’s sling but only the stick which he carried. To his mind, neither a stick nor a stone were a danger to him covered as he was in his armour.1 He was thus certain that he would kill David and expose his corpse, an action that symbolized destruction and curse.2
43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.