2 Samuel 21:16

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

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 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."

18 After this, there was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giant.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Raphah
• [b]. Lit 300 (shekels)