Simeon, (who had tarried in the temple waiting and praying for the coming Messiah told Mary, “And a sword shall pierce through your soul also” (Luke2:35.) The prophetess, Anna was also there. She too had been waiting with fasting and prayers. Figuratively, “a sword” is represented in the bible as authority and power and sometimes war. Much of what we believe may not be researched information, nor factual.
The Philistines captured the Ark of God (Ark of the Covenant was a chest containing the Tablets of the Covenant between the Lord and Israel. It served as a throne for the Lord of Hosts (the Lord’s armies. On its cover were two cherubim, likely creatures with the body of a lion or bull, the head of a human, and the wings of an eagle.)
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Oh, yeh? That’s one of the biggest lies told. Words are very injurious…both long ago and today. False words and accusations can be beyond hurtful.