“He fell on his face to the ground” (I Samuel 17:49).20This verse describes David’s killing of Goliath. Why on his face? Initially, you expound: So that that righteous one would not be troubled six cubits and one span.21It was so when David went to behead him, Goliath’s head would be close to David. Had he fallen on his back, David would have needed to walk farther to behead him.
Alternatively, why on his face? It is because Dagon his god was situated on his heart, just as it says: “I will place your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols” (Leviticus 26:30). Alternatively, why on his face? It was so that the mouth that blasphemed and cursed would be placed in the dust.
That is what is written: “Hide them in the dust together; cover their faces in concealment” (Job 40:13). Alternatively, why on his face? It is based on: “Your enemies will deceive you but you will tread on their high places” (Deuteronomy 33:29).22The high place of the body is the nape. Goliath fell in such a manner that his nape was exposed and vulnerable.