2 Samuel 21:15-22
15 Now when the Philistines were at war with Israel again, David went down, and his servants with him; and when they fought against the Philistines, David became weary.
16 Then Ishbi-benob, who was among the descendants of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of bronze in weight, had strapped on a new sword, and he intended to kill David.
17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “You shall not go out again with us to battle, so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel.”
18 Now it came about after this that there was war again with the Philistines at Gob; then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck and killed Saph, who was among the descendants of the giant.
19 And there was war with the Philistines again at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
20 And there was war at Gath again, where there was a man of great stature who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number; and he also had been born to the giant.
21 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, struck and killed him.
22 These four were born to the giant at Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
David’s Last Battle
David targeted
The battle in this passage took place before Absalom’s rebellion. The enemy was the Philistines, and this became the last battle in which David personally went out to lead on the battlefield. (1) In this battle, David was nearly killed by Ishbi-benob, a descendant of the giant from Gath, Goliath’s relative. Even David, valiant as he was, could not overcome the weariness that came with age. (2) At that moment, it was David’s nephew Abishai who came to his rescue. Abishai struck down Ishbi-benob, one of the giants, and killed him. (3) David’s men were deeply shocked that he had nearly been killed and earnestly pleaded with him not to go out to the front lines in future battles. (4) They said, “So that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel.” Indeed, David’s very presence was the “lamp” of Israel. “What we do” is important, but even more important is “who we are.” People desired David’s presence more than his accomplishments in battle. Take a moment to reflect on how your presence affects those around you. Let us aim to live a life that is valued simply for being a person, whose very presence brings light and blessing.
Achievements of the warriors
Even when David could no longer take the lead, his men has done more than making up for what was lacking. There were four warriors who struck down the giants, the descendants of Goliath: (1) Abishai, son of Zeruiah (David’s nephew), (2) Sibbecai the Hushathite, (3) Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim of Bethlehem, (4) Jonathan, son of Shimea, David’s brother. A day will come for each of us when we are no longer able to labor. And every person will eventually face the final battle, “the battle with death.” In that moment, just as David had, we too will be given a mighty helper, which is Jesus Christ Himself. The apostle Paul writes: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). Blessed is the one who walks through life prepared for the battle with death.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please make me more than conqueror. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.