2 Samuel 21:16

16 Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, ^[a] whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels ^[b] and who was bearing a new sword, resolved 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 And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.

15 Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted.

16 Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved 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, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”

18 Some time later at Gob, there was another battle with the Philistines. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, a descendant of Rapha.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or the giant; also in verses 18, 20, and 22
• [b]. 300 shekels is approximately 7.5 pounds or 3.4 kilograms.