David chose five smooth stones before facing Goliath

. The Bible specifically states in 1 Samuel 17:40 that David took five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd's bag

. There are several interpretations as to why David took five stones:

• He was preparing for the possibility of having to fight more than one giant, as Goliath had four brothers who were also warriors

• He was being prudent and prepared for any contingencies, such as missing with the first stone or needing to defend himself after defeating Goliath

• The number five may symbolically represent God's grace, though this is more interpretive and not explicitly stated in the biblical text

• David's faith was in God rather than the stones themselves; the stones were tools for the battle, but his confidence was in divine help

In the actual battle, David used only one stone to strike Goliath, but he took five to be prepared for what might come next

. In summary, David had five stones with him when he confronted Goliath. The exact reason is not definitively stated in the Bible but is generally understood as a combination of practical preparation and symbolic faith