2 Samuel 21:16

16 Ishbi-benob, a descendant of the Raphah, planned on killing David. The weight of his spear was three hundred shekels of bronze, and he was wearing new armor.

2 Samuel 21:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 21:16

And Ishbibenob, which [was] of the sons of the giant
Of Goliath, or of a giant, of the race of them:

the weight of whose spear [weighed] three hundred [shekels] of brass in
weight;
which must be understood either of the wood of it, or of the head of it, the flaming point of it, as many interpret it; and if so, it was but half the weight of Goliath's spear, unless there was any difference of the weight of iron and of brass, see ( 1 Samuel 17:7 ) ;

he being girded with a new [sword];
or rather with a new girdle, as the Targum; and so Jarchi, which might be given him as a mark of honour, or as a token of his having a commission in the army:

thought to have slain David;
his aim was at him, and perceiving him faint and feeble, thought to take the advantage of it, and dispatch him.

2 Samuel 21:16 In-Context

14 The bones of Saul and his son Jonathan were then buried in Zela, in Benjaminite territory, in the tomb of Saul's father Kish. Once everything the king had commanded was done, God responded to prayers for the land.

15 Once again war broke out between the Philistines and Israel. David and the soldiers who were with him went down and fought the Philistines. When David grew tired,

16 Ishbi-benob, a descendant of the Raphah, planned on killing David. The weight of his spear was three hundred shekels of bronze, and he was wearing new armor.

17 But Zeruiah's son Abishai came to David's aid, striking the Philistine down and killing him. Then David's men swore a solemn pledge to him: "You will never march out to battle with us again! You must not snuff out Israel's lamp!"

18 Some time later, another battle with the Philistines took place at Gob. Then Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, a descendant of the Raphah.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or giants; also in 21:18, 20, 22
• [b]. LXX Joash’s son Dodo, a descendant of the Raphah (see previous note), captured David.