Why Goliath Fell on His Face When David's Stone Struck

"And David put his hand into the bag and took from there a stone and slung it [and the stone sank into his forehead]" (1 Samuel 17:49). Yehudah bar Rabbi said: like into dough. And similarly, "and it crushed all their bones" (Daniel 6:25). Yehudah bar Rabbi said: like these pastilim (pressed cakes). "And he fell upon his face to the ground" (1 Samuel 17:49) — so that righteous one would not be troubled; his height was six cubits and a span. Another interpretation: why "he fell upon his face to the ground"? Rather, so that the mouth that reviled and blasphemed would be buried away, as it is written, "Hide them in the dust together; bind their faces in the hidden place" (Job 40:13). Another interpretation: why "and he fell upon his face to the ground"? Because Dagon his god was placed upon his heart, to fulfill what is said, "upon the carcasses of your idols" (Leviticus 26:30), and to fulfill, "and you shall tread upon their high places" (Deuteronomy 33:29). [And it is written:] "And it came to pass, when they brought out these kings to Joshua… that they drew near and set their feet upon their necks" (Joshua 10:24).