How David Bound Goliath's 248 Limbs and Broke His Taunt

"And the Philistine said to David: Come to me, etc." (I Samuel 17:44). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: the earth seized hold of him. Rabbi Tanchuma said: I will give the reason for it — "Come at me" is not written here, but rather "Come to me, and I will give your flesh, etc." Rabbi Yannai son of Rabbi Shmuel bar Rabbi Yannai said: two hundred and forty-eight chains — the Holy One, blessed be He, placed upon the two hundred and forty-eight limbs that were in Goliath. This is what David says: "Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked" (Psalms 140:9) — grant not to him that which he covets; "further not his evil device" (ibid.) — let his scheme not go forth; "they that exalt themselves, Selah" (ibid.) — exalt his bowings. When David saw that his words were confounded, he said: This one of mine is in the city, who eats flesh, as you say, "and to the beasts of the earth." What does David say to him? "This day the LORD will deliver you up, etc." (I Samuel 17:46). And the Rabbis say: immediately he was stricken with leprosy, as you say, "and the priest shall shut him up" (Leviticus 13:5). "And I will give the carcass of the camp of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and to the beasts of the earth" (I Samuel 17:46) — "and to the cattle of the earth" is not written here, but rather "and to the wild beasts of the earth." "And all the earth shall know that there is a God for Israel" (ibid.) — He executes their judgment.