King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 21:16 Mean?

“And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. the giant: or, Rapha spear: Heb. the staff, or, the head”

Context

And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.

Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.

And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. the giant: or, Rapha spear: Heb. the staff, or, the head

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. light: Heb. candle, or, lamp

And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. the giant: or, Rapha Saph: or, Sippai

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Ishbi-benob.**—The name is a strange one, and it is generally thought that some error has crept into the text, but none of the suggested emendations are free from difficulty. Perhaps the most probable is that in the *Speaker’s Commentary, *by which for *Ishbi *(the Hebrew margin) *they halted *is read, and *benob, *by a very slight change in one letter, becomes *at Gob; *then a clause is supplied, *there was a man, *so that the whole reads, “David waxed faint, and they halted at Gob. And there was a man which was of the sons,” &c.; 2Samuel 21:18 (as well as 2Samuel 21:19) seems to imply a previous battle in Gob. **Three hundred shekels.**—About eight pounds; just half the weight of Goliath’s spear-head (1Samuel 17:7). **Girded with a new sword.**—The word *sword *is not in the original, and its omission, where intended, is unusual. Either it should be *girded with new armour, *or else the word for *new *is intended to denote some otherwise unknown weapon.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 21:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.