2 Samuel 21:16 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A giant named Ishbi-benob, armed with a massive spear and a new sword, moves in to kill the weakened David.
What Does 2 Samuel 21:16 Mean?
As David tires, a Philistine giant named Ishbi-benob seizes the moment. His spear is enormous, his sword newly forged, and he intends to strike the king down while his strength is spent. The danger to David is real and immediate.
The enemy presses hardest at the point of our weakness. Yet the very moment David is most vulnerable becomes the setting for deliverance. Scripture often shows God's rescue arriving precisely where human strength fails, so that the glory belongs to Him and not to the strong. The peril sets the stage for the help that is about to come.
2 Samuel 21:16 in the Original Language
rapha (רָפָה), 'giant' -- a member of a people of great stature; the term names a feared and formidable foe.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 21:16
What does 2 Samuel 21:16 mean?
A giant named Ishbi-benob, armed with a massive spear and a new sword, moves in to kill the weakened David.