A giant with a spear like a weaver’s beam. A mighty man with a staff. Here is what the Bible says happened.
A Man of Great Stature
The man was an Egyptian. The Bible says he was “five cubits high.” That is about seven and a half feet tall.
His spear was huge. Scripture says it was “like a weaver’s beam,” the thick wooden roller on a loom.
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.
— 1 Chronicles 11:23 (KJV)
Only a Staff
Benaiah son of Jehoiada had no spear. He had a staff. Most men would have stayed back.
Benaiah “went down to him.” He walked toward the danger, not away from it.
From the PsalmsFor I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
— Psalm 44:6 (KJV)
His Own Spear
Benaiah grabbed the spear right out of the Egyptian’s hand. Then he slew the giant with it. The weapon that was meant for Benaiah ended the fight.
These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
— 2 Samuel 23:22–23 (KJV)
Why It Matters
Benaiah did not win because he had better gear. He went where the LORD sent him and did not quit. David trusted him enough to put him over his guard.
From the PsalmsBlessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
— Psalm 144:1 (KJV)
Read Benaiah’s whole record, including the lion in the pit on a snowy day, on Benaiah Son of Jehoiada. See more giants defeated by David’s men and the full list of David’s mighty men.
41 bold coloring pages of King David's warriors, straight from 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Ages 5–99+. Paperback, $9.01.
Get the Coloring BookQuestions About This Story
Who killed the Egyptian giant in the Bible?
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, one of David's mighty men. He plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and slew him with his own spear (2 Samuel 23:21; 1 Chronicles 11:23).
How tall was the Egyptian Benaiah killed?
Five cubits high, about seven and a half feet (1 Chronicles 11:23).
What weapon did Benaiah use against the Egyptian?
He went down to him with a staff, then took the Egyptian's own spear (2 Samuel 23:21).
What did David do for Benaiah?
David set him over his guard (2 Samuel 23:23).
More of David's Mighty Men
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