The Four Giants of Gath

Goliath was not the last giant David's army faced. Scripture records four more "born to the giant in Gath," and all four fell to David and his men.

These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.— 2 Samuel 21:22 (KJV)

The Giant-Killers of David's Army

Scripture names the men who brought these giants down. Here is each one, with his giant and his verses.

Abishai Son of Zeruiah: Killed Ishbi-benob

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.— 2 Samuel 21:16 (KJV)

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.— 2 Samuel 21:17 (KJV)

David "waxed faint" in the fight (2 Samuel 21:15), and Abishai stepped in to save the king's life. More on Abishai.

Sibbechai the Hushathite: Slew Saph (Sippai)

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.— 2 Samuel 21:18 (KJV)

And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.— 1 Chronicles 20:4 (KJV)

Samuel names the giant Saph and the place Gob; Chronicles says Sippai and Gezer. "Sibbecai the Hushathite" is also listed among David's mighty men in 1 Chronicles 11:29. See the full list.

Elhanan: Slew Lahmi the Brother of Goliath

And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.— 1 Chronicles 20:5 (KJV)

2 Samuel 21:19 words it this way: "Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam." In the KJV, "the brother of" is printed in italics in that verse, the translators' mark for words supplied to match 1 Chronicles 20:5. David himself killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50). Read about Elhanan.

Jonathan Son of Shimeah, David's Nephew: Slew the Giant with Six Fingers and Six Toes

And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.— 2 Samuel 21:20 (KJV)

And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him.— 2 Samuel 21:21 (KJV)

1 Chronicles 20:6–7 tells it again: "six on each hand, and six on each foot," and "Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him." Shimeah was David's brother, so this Jonathan was David's nephew. The giant is not named. This Jonathan is not Jonathan the son of Saul.

Benaiah Son of Jehoiada: Slew the Egyptian of Five Cubits

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)

The Egyptian was not one of the four born to the giant in Gath, but five cubits is about seven and a half feet. Benaiah and the Egyptian. For background on Anakim, Rephaim and Og, see Giants in the Bible.

David's Mighty Men Coloring Book

41 bold coloring pages of King David's warriors, straight from 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Ages 5–99+. Paperback, $9.99. See inside the book.

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From the Psalms

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.— Psalm 18:17 (KJV)

Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:— Psalm 144:1 (KJV)

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