2 Samuel 21:16

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

And Ishbi–benob, 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.

Literal

And Ishbi-benob, who was one of the sons of Rapha—and the weight of his spear was three hundred shekels of bronze in weight, and he was bearing a new one—spoke of striking David.

Latin

Jesbibenob, qui fuit de genere Arapha, cujus ferrum hastæ trecentas uncias appendebat, et accinctus erat ense novo, nisus est percutere David.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

2 Samuel 21:16

a descendant of Rapha: Compare Genesis 14:5; Deuteronomy 2:10–11, 20–21; 3:11.

2 Samuel 21:15–22

The longer account of battles with the Philistines highlights important victories by David’s mighty warriors. A similar list of their deeds appears later in the chapter (see also 2 Samuel 23:8–39).

2 Samuel 21:1–24:25

The final chapters of 2 Samuel form a coda (a concluding section). This section brings together and summarizes the main themes from earlier chapters.

These chapters are thematic, not chronological (arranged by topic, not by time). Because of this, not all the events happened at the end of David’s reign (for example, 2 Samuel 22:1).

The material is arranged using a common Hebrew literary pattern called a chiasm (a mirror-like structure). In a chiasm, the first and last sections match, and the middle section is the focus.

The structure of this chiasm is as follows:

A: Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 21:1–14)
- B: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 21:15–22)
  - C: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 22:1–51)
  - C′: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 23:1–7)
- B′: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 23:8–39)
A′: David’s sin involving the census and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 24:1–25)

A chiasm draws attention to the center section. Here, the center is David’s hymns. These hymns do not focus on David himself. Instead, they focus on David’s God.

Theme notes and profiles

Abishai David The Philistines

Events

Reign of Davidc. 1055 BC

Measurements

three hundred shekels: About 7.5 lb (3.4 kg)

Related verses

2 Samuel 21:18
Some time later at Gob, there was another battle with the Philistines. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, a descendant of Rapha.
2 Samuel 21:20
And there was also a battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha,
2 Samuel 5:18
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
1 Samuel 17:4–5
Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,
Deuteronomy 2:21
They were a people great and many, as tall as the Anakites. But the LORD destroyed them from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place,
Deuteronomy 2:10
(The Emites used to live there, a people great and many, as tall as the Anakites.
Deuteronomy 9:2
The people are strong and tall, the descendants of the Anakim. You know about them, and you have heard it said, “Who can stand up to the sons of Anak?”
2 Samuel 21:22
So these four descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.
Genesis 6:4
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and afterward as well—when the sons of God had relations with the daughters of men. And they bore them children who became the mighty men of old, men of renown.
Genesis 14:5
In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
Deuteronomy 3:11
(For only Og king of Bashan had remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed of iron, nine cubits long and four cubits wide, is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)
Deuteronomy 1:28
Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: ‘The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the heavens. We even saw the descendants of the Anakim there.’”

Parallels

1 Chronicles 20:4–8

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Ishbi-benob: Philistine giant who fought against David's men Rapha: Ancestor of Philistine giants; his descendants fought against David's warriors

Glossary

Abishai Avenger of Blood Giants Ishbi-benob Philistia, Philistines Rephaim Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Champions Fight Instead of Championship: Representatives of the Philistines Land David's Armies David: King of Israel: Defeats the Philistines Giants, Rephaim: The: The Last of, Destroyed by David and his Warriors Goliath: His Sons Ishbi-Benob: A Giant Warrior, Killed by Abishai Nephilim Rapha: An Ancestor of Certain Philistine Warriors, (Margins) Spear: Parts of Mentioned: The Head of Iron or Brass The Philistines: David: Often Defeated in the Course of his Reign The Philistines: Men of Great Strength and Stature Amongst

2 Samuel 21:16

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Measurements?

Related verses?

Parallels?

People

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Measurements

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics