1 Chronicles 20:4

THREE OVERTHROWS OF THE PHILISTINES AND THREE GIANTS SLAIN. (Ch1 20:4-8)

war at Gezer--or Gob (see Sa2 21:18-22).

Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 21

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

1Ch 20:4 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.

Ver. 4. {See Trapp on "2Sa 21:18"} &c.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Or, Raphaim, or the giants.

Or, Gob, 2 Sam. 21:18.

Or, Saph.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

The Philistines were nearly subdued (Ch1 18:1); but, as in the destruction of the Canaanites by Joshua the sons of Anak were last subdued (Jos 11:21), so here in the conquest of the Philistines the giants of Gath were last brought down. In the conflicts between grace and corruption there are some sins which, like these giants, keep their ground a great while and are not mastered without much difficulty and a long struggle: but judgment will be brought forth unto victory at last. Observe, 1. We never read of giants among the Israelites as we do of the giants among the Philistines - giants of Gath, but not giants of Jerusalem. The growth of God's plants is in usefulness, not in bulk. Those who covet to have cubits added to their stature do not consider that it will but make then more unwieldy. In the balance of the sanctuary David far outweighs Goliath. 2. The servants of David, though men of ordinary stature, were too hard for the giants of Gath in every encounter, because they had God on their side, who takes pleasure in abasing lofty looks, and mortifying the giants that are in the earth, as he did of old by the deluge, though they were men of renown. Never let the church's friends be disheartened by the power and pride of the church's enemies. We need not fear great men against us while we have the great God for us. What will a finger more on each hand do, or a toe more on each foot, in contest with Omnipotence? 3. These giants defied Israel (Ch1 20:7) and were thus made to pay for their insolence. None are more visibly marked for ruin that those who reproach God and his Israel. God will do great things rather than suffer the enemy to behave themselves proudly, Deu 32:27. The victories of the Son of David, like those of David himself, are gradual. We see not yet all things put under him; but it will be seen shortly: and death itself, the last enemy, like these giants, will be triumphed over.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

II. This section corresponds to 2Sa_21:18-22. The chronicler has omitted the history of Absalom’s rebellion, with all the events which preceded and followed it, as recorded in 2 Samuel 13-20; and, further, the touching story of the sacrifice of seven sous of Saul at the demand of the Gibeonites (2Sa_21:1-14).

(4) And it came to pass after this.—Comp. Notes on 1Ch_18:1; 1Ch_19:1. The chronicler has omitted, whether by accident or design, the account with which, in 2Sa_21:15-17, this fragmentary section begins, and which tells how David was all but slain by the giant Ishbi-benob.

There arose war.—Literally, there stood, an unique phrase, which perhaps originated in a misreading of that which appears in 2Sa_21:18, “there became again.”

Gezer.—Samuel, “Gob,” an unknown place. Each word (spelling Gôb fully) has three consonants in Hebrew, of which the first is common to both, and the other two are similar enough to make corruption easy. For “Gezer,” see Jos_16:3. The Syriac and Arabic here read “Gaza”; but Gezer (so LXX. and Vulg.) seems right.

Sibbechai the Hushathite.—See 1Ch_11:29; 1Ch_27:11.

Sippai.—Samuel, “Saph.”

Of the children of the giant.—See margin. Render, Sippai, of the offspring (a special term—yĕlîdê—see Num_13:22; Jos_15:14) of the Rephaites. “Rapha” was doubtless the collective tribal designation of the gigantic Rephaim (Gen_14:5).

And they were subdued—Added by chronicler.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

4. at Gezer] See 1Ch_6:67, note. In 2Sa_5:25 it is said that David smote the Philistines “from Geba until thou come to Gezer.” In 2 Sam. at Gob, but no place called Gob is known.

Sippai] In 2 Sam. “Saph.”

giant] Heb. “Rapha”; the same Heb. word in the plu. “Rephaim” is translated “giants” in Deu_2:11, A.V. These Rephaim dwelt east of Jordan, but may have been akin to the Philistines.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

See the marginal reference and notes.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Gazer, which seems preferable to Gob, 2 Kings xxi. 18.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

For the Gezer (rzg) of this verse, the parallel place (2Sa_21:18) shows Gob (bwOg), a name not known, but which careless transcription may have easily made out of the former. The Syriac Version, however, as well as the Septuagint, has Gath in that verse as well as in the two verses following, (2Sa_21:18-20) another name also easily interchangeable in Hebrew characters with Gezer. The "yet again" of our ver. 6 would well accord with the supposition that the conflict with the Philistines was at Gath, or at the same place, each of the three times. Gezer belonged to Ephraim, and was situated to the north of Philistia. (1Ch_7:28 1Ch_14:16) Sibbechai. (see also 1Ch_11:29 1Ch_27:11) Sippai. In the parallel place spelt Saph. It is remarkable that, in the Peshito Syriac, over Psalm 143, is found the inscription," Of David, when he slew Asaph, the brother of Gulyad, and thanksgiving that he had conquered." Of the children of the giant. The Hebrew word for "giant," rapha (always in these verses spelt with a final aleph , but in the parallel verses always with he final), is here (Authorized Version) translated. "The Rapha, a native of Gath, was the forefather of the Canaanitish Rephaim, mentioned as early as Gen_14:5 Gen_15:20; Deu_2:11; Jos_12:4 Jos_15:8 Jos_17:15. The slaying of Ishbi-benob (2Sa_21:16) is not here given. It is also to be observed that the lengthy account of Samuel, respecting Absalom and his rebellion (2Sa 13-21) is not found here.

Vers. 4-8.

Little things and great.

How small and insignificant in our esteem are the physical peculiarities of these "children of the giant"! How little we care to treasure their names and deeds in our memories! They probably thought much of themselves, and were made much of by their contemporaries; but they have sunk into entire insignificance now. We feel thatI DISTINCTION BASED ON BODILY PECULIARITY IS OF LITTLE WORTH. Great stature makes its possessor conspicuous among his fellows, if that be a desirable thing; great muscular strength serves in good stead on those rare occasions when a man has to resist by physical force. Unusual beauty of countenance attracts the eye and wins the admiration of the opposite sex. But these visible specialities have their drawbacks, if not their evils. The first of these often secures a most undesirable and even painful notoriety; the second tempts to acts of violence which are regrettable; the last exposes to peculiar perils of its own. And how speedily they perish! In this war with the Philistines these giants "were subdued" (ver. 4). Lahmi"s great spear did not save him from the skill of Elhanan (ver. 5); nor the immense stature of the giant with twenty-four fingers and toes, from the courage and capacity of Jonathan (vers. 6, 7). "They fell by the hand of David"s servants" (ver. 8). Mere size of body, mere power of muscle, mere skill of fence, and even beauty of face and charm of manner, all these are either overmatched with something that is stronger, or they soon fade and fall under the resistless ravages of time. And when they pass, how soon they are forgotten! We hardly recognize some of these names; or, if we remember them, we associate them with other men who bore them, but were distinguished by other and nobler features. The next generation will care little for those who have nothing better to claim than great strength, or commanding stature, or some other bodily peculiarity. On the other hand, we feel that

II DISTINCTION BASED ON SPIRITUAL WORTH IS A DESIRABLE EXCELLENCY.

1. Mental strength, when gained by diligent self-culture and devoted to useful ends, enjoys a more lasting honour and effects a far greater good.

1. But spiritual worth is the most valuable acquisition; that is the true greatness of man.

1. It raises him highest in the scale of being.

2. It renders nobler and truer service.

3. It yields a finer fragrance in grateful recollection. (Pro_10:7)

4. It lives on to distant generations in benignant influence.

The "good men do" is not "interred with their bones;" it lives and blossoms, and bears precious fruit in the hearts and lives of men. C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Exploits of Individual Heroes

v. 4. And it came to pass after this that there arose war at Gezer, it was rekindled, like a fire that has been smoldering, with the Philistines, Gezer being on their northern boundary, in the tribe of Ephraim; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai (or Saph), that was of the children of the giant, belonging to the Rephaim, the last remnant of the former giant race in this country; and they were subdued.

v. 5. And there was war again with the Philistines, another uprising; and Elhanan, the son of Jair (or Jaare-oregim), slew Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear-staff was like a weaver’s beam.

v. 6. And yet again there was war at Gath, in the Philistine country proper, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was the son of the giant, he, too, belonged to this giant race.

v. 7. But when he defied Israel, reproached and challenged the host of the Lord, Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David’s brother, slew him.

v. 8. These were born unto the giant in Gath, the last of the giant family; and they fell by the hand of David, that is, while he was supreme military chief, although he personally slew Goliath, and by the hand of his servants. The story is typical of the fate which comes upon those who oppose the rule of the great Son of David, Jesus Christ, for they will, if not in this life, eventually receive their punishment, everlasting destruction, by their own fault.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

It came about

This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

there was a battle at Gezer with the Philistines

"the Israelites battled the Philistines at Gezer"

Gezer ... Gob

These are the names of cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

Sibbekai ... Sippai ... Elhanan ... Jair ... Lahmi

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hushathite ... Rephaim ... Bethlehemite ... Gittite

These are the names of people groups.

the Philistines were subdued

This can be stated in active form. AT: "they subdued the Philistines" (See: Active or Passive)

the Philistines were subdued

This can be translated in active form. AT: "the Israelites were able to subdue the Philistines" or "the Philistines were brought under the Israelites' control"

staff

a long and thin pole.

the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam

A weaver's beam was a very large piece of wood used to stretch strings as the threads of a rug are weaved together around them. This means the handle of Lahmi's spear was very large.

translationWords

Philistines

descend

Bethlehem

Goliath

spear

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

Now it came to pass after this that a war arose in Gezer That which is missing here is written in Samuel (II 21:15): “And the Philistines waged war again with Israel, and David went down with his servants and they fought against the Philistines.” And this too was not written here because of David’s honor, for it is written there: “... and David became faint,” and it is written: (ibid. 16): “And Ishbi, who was one of the sons of Raphah, was in Nob, etc., and he was girded with new armor, and he thought to smite David,” and had it not been for the aid of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, he would have fallen into the hands of Ishbi in Nob and because of that disgrace, [the Chronicler] did not mention these things here.

then Sibbecai the Hushathite smote Sippai of the sons of Rapha But in Samuel (II 21:18), it is written: “Saph, who was one of the sons of Rashah,” who was the brother of Goliath the Philistine and Ishbi in Nob.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.