2 Samuel 21

Wars Against the Philistines (21:15–22)
(1 Chronicles 20:4–8)

15–17 In this section the writer briefly describes four battles with the Philistines. It’s not certain at what point during David’s reign these battles occurred. Each battle resulted in the death of a descendant of Rapha (verses 16,18,20,22); like Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4–7), these descendants were men of great size who fought on the side of the Philistines.

The first battle is described in verses 15–18. David was with his troops and during the battle he was threatened by one of these giants, Ishbi-Benob. Abishai came to David’s rescue and killed the giant. But after that, David’s men would not allow him on the battlefield. He was the lamp of Israel (verse 17)—Israel’s leader, guide and light; if he was extinguished (killed), the loss to Israel would be immeasurable.

18 The second battle occurred at Gob, located near Gezer; in this battle a giant named Saph (or Sippai) was killed (see 1 Chronicles 20:4).

19 In the third battle, the writer says that a giant named Goliath was killed.⁷⁰

20–22 The fourth Philistine giant to be killed had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. Though David did not actually kill any of these giants, the writer gives him part of the credit for their deaths because his warriors fought under his command (verse 22).