Why did Merlin give King Arthur the sword?

Merlin gave King Arthur the sWord, often referred to as Excalibur, to signify Arthur's rightful claim to the throne of Britain. The sWord, which was either pulled from a stone or given by the Lady of the Lake in different versions of the legend, symbolized divine authority and destiny. By presenting Arthur with the sWord, Merlin aimed to establish him as the legitimate king who would unite and lead the kingdom. This act marked the beginning of Arthur's legendary reign and his quest for justice and chivalry.