What did David mean when he said, "There is none like that"?
1 Samuel 21:9 (ESV)
9And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.”
Most probably David was simply affirming that it is a fine sword in comparison with the other swords that he had seen.1 To him it ought to symbolize the Lord’s ability to protect and give victory against powerful enemies.2
9 And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.”