2 Samuel 21:15

The Philistine Giants

15 The Philistines again waged war against Israel. David went down with his soldiers, and they fought the Philistines, but David became exhausted.

2 Samuel 21:15 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 21:15

Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel
Besides what is before recorded in this and the preceding book; being animated to it partly by the number of giants among them, and partly by the decline of David's life, and it may be chiefly by the insurrections and rebellions in Israel; though some think that these battles were not after the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba, and the affair of the Gibeonites, though here recorded; but before, and quickly after the war with the Ammonites, next to which they are placed in ( 1 Chronicles 20:1-8 ) ; but they seem to be placed here in their proper order:

and David went down, and his servants with him;
to the borders of the Philistines, perceiving they were preparing to make war against him:

and fought against the Philistines;
engaged in a battle with them:

and David waxed faint;
in the battle, not able to bear the fatigues of war, and wield his armour as he had used, being in the decline of life; after he had been engaged a while, his spirits began to fail, not through fear, but through feebleness; but, according to Josephus, it was through weariness in pursuing the enemy put to flight, which the following person perceived, and turned upon him ^F25.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 12. sect. 1.

2 Samuel 21:15 In-Context

13 David had the bones brought from there. They also gathered up the bones of Saul's family who had been hung.

14 They [also] buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan at Zela in the land of Benjamin in the tomb of Saul's father Kish. They did everything the king commanded. After this, God answered prayer for the land.

15 The Philistines again waged war against Israel. David went down with his soldiers, and they fought the Philistines, but David became exhausted.

16 Then Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giant, whose bronze spear weighed about eight pounds and who wore new armor, intended to kill David.

17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David's men swore to him: "You must never again go out with us to battle. You must not extinguish the lamp of Israel."