Battles against Philistine Giants
Introduction:
These final chapters of 2 Samuel (21–24) serve as an appendix, coda, or epilogue to David’s reign. These chapters are thematic, not chronological, and not all the events described here happened at the end of David’s reign.
Fighting Giants
This section discusses four battles in which Israel faced Philistine giants. Note that David is only mentioned in one of these four battles.
2 Samuel 21:15-22 NLT
Battles against Philistine Giants
15 Once again the Philistines were at war with Israel. And when David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted. 16 Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants; his bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds, and he was armed with a new sword. He had cornered David and was about to kill him. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine. Then David’s men declared, “You are not going out to battle with us again! Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?”
18 After this, there was another battle against the Philistines at Gob. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, another descendant of the giants.
19 During another battle at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam!
20 In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all, who was also a descendant of the giants. 21 But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea.
22 These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.
Examine the Scriptures
1 Chronicles 20:4-8 is a parallel account to 2 Samuel 21:15-22
1 Chronicles 20:4-8 NLT
Battles against Philistine Giants
4 After this, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, a descendant of the giants, and so the Philistines were subdued.
5 During another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of Lahmi’s spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam!
6 In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all, who was also a descendant of the giants. 7 But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea.
8 These Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.
2 Samuel 21:15-22 NLT
Battles against Philistine Giants
The following four battles with the Philistines cannot be chronologically located with any certainty.
Each battle involves a heroic accomplishment by one of David’s mighty men, resulting in the death of a Philistine giant.
This record of four giant killers emphasizes the supernatural character of the victories David was able to enjoy because God fought for him by using various men in his army.
15 Once again the Philistines were at war with Israel. And when David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted.
- David, though older at this point, still took part in a battle with the Philistines.
His presence on the battlefield shows his leadership and commitment.
Compare this to 2 Samuel 11:1
2 Samuel 11:1 NLT
David and Bathsheba
11:1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
- David became weak and exhausted.
David’s weariness signals that his strength is failing — a reminder that even great leaders decline with age.
This shows that even God’s anointed king had human limitations.
David is vulnerable.
These episodes illustrate God’s continued protection over Israel and David’s kingdom, even as David’s own strength begins to wane.
16 Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants;
Some translations use the phrase “a descendant of the giants or the sons of the giant.”
Other translations say “a descendant of Rapha”.
NIV – CEB
16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha
ESV – NASB
16 And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants
Rapha refers to the ancestor of the Rephaim.
The Rephaim (plural of Rapha) were a race of giants who lived in Canaan before Israel entered the land.
Some of their descendants apparently survived into David’s time among the Philistines of Gath, where Goliath came from.
Giants are mentioned in at least seven of the Old Testament books.
One familiar story is found in Numbers 13.
Numbers 13:31-33 NLT
Twelve Scouts Explore Canaan
31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33 We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”
Ishbi-benob
His bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds,
This is an indication of his great strength.
and he was armed with a new sword.
His weapons were “up to date”.
He had cornered David and was about to kill him.
Since Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants he may have known that David had killed Goliath and now he wanted to avenge Goliath’s death.
- Ishbi-benob cornered David and was about to kill him.
17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine.
Abishai son of Zeruiah (David’s sister) came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine.
Abishai was David’s nephew.
Abishai was one of David’s most loyal and courageous warriors:
He is called one of David’s mighty men
- Abishai came to David’s rescue and killed Ishbi-benob.
Then David’s men declared, “You are not going out to battle with us again!
- David’s soldiers, recognizing his declining physical strength, insist that David stay out of direct combat, marking the end of David’s frontline fighting days.
Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?”
If David were to die in battle, Israel’s leadership and morale would be devastated.
David, with God’s help brought the light of prosperity and well-being to Israel.
David is the symbol of God’s presence and guidance for the nation, which must be preserved at all costs.
God’s blessing resided in David and his house.
Extinguishing that “lamp” would mean spiritual and national darkness for Israel.
This reminds us that God’s purposes are not dependent on one man’s physical strength but on His ongoing covenant faithfulness.
- David is the symbol of God’s presence and guidance for the nation.
18 After this, there was another battle against the Philistines at Gob. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, another descendant of the giants.
1 Chronicles 20:4 NLT
4 After this, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, a descendant of the giants, and so the Philistines were subdued.
Gob may have been another name for Gezer (1 Chron. 20:4).
The repetition of “descendants of the giant” (Rephaim) emphasizes that these were formidable enemies, yet each is defeated by one of David’s warriors — showing God’s strength through human instruments.
- The repetition of “descendants of the giant” emphasizes that these were formidable enemies, yet each is defeated by one of David’s warriors — showing God’s strength through human instruments.
19 During another battle at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam!
1 Chronicles 20:5 NLT
5 During another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of Lahmi’s spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam!
Some translations say “killed Goliath”.
Were there two giants named Goliath? Probably not.
Most scholars believe a scribal omission occurred here, leaving out “the brother of.”
There is no confusion in the translations of 1 Chronicles 20:5. Most translations say “killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath” or something very similar to that.
Regardless, the point stands: another descendant of the giants fell before David’s men.
- Another descendant of the giants fell before David’s men.
20 In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all, who was also a descendant of the giants.
1 Chronicles 20:6 NLT
6 In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all, who was also a descendant of the giants.
The description of this unnamed giant underscores the abnormal and intimidating nature of Israel’s enemies.
Such features emphasize his monstrous might — yet physical power means nothing against those God empowers.
- The description of this unnamed giant underscores the abnormal and intimidating nature of Israel’s enemies— yet physical power means nothing against those God empowers.
21 But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea (or Shammah).
1 Chronicles 20:7 NLT
7 But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea.
Taunting from another giant.
1 Samuel 17:8-11 NLT
Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! 9 If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! 10 I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” 11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.
The Jonathan named here is David’s nephew.
These episodes demonstrates the bravery of David’s warriors.
With God’s help, these warriors continue to defeat powerful enemies.
22 These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.
1 Chronicles 20:8 NLT
8 These Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.
God’s kingdom overcomes the might of the world through faith and obedience.
- David’s decline gives rise to others empowered to continue the fight — God’s work never depends on one person alone.
God’s power and protection still rest upon Israel through others besides David.
God’s strength triumphs over human might.
The overall point of this passage of scripture is that God continued to bless David and Israel with supernatural victories through his faithful servants.
- The defeat of giants clearly shows God’s ability to triumph over seemingly insurmountable foes.
