THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
How did David kill Goliath, with a sling (1 Samuel 17:49-50), or with a sword (1 Samuel 17:51)? Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
That the word "killed" or "slew" (KJV) appears in both verse 50 and 51 should not cause the reader to be confused about what was responsible for Goliath's death. He was killed by the stone which came from David's sling, as indicated in verse 50. After killing the giant, David stood over him, and used his own sword to cut off his head. The taking of Goliath's head was not the point of his death, but immediately followed his death. David, "...slew him, and cut off his head..."

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible

---