“When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. 16 Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” 18 Now it happened afterward that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant. 19 Again there was war at Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 20 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number; and he also was born to the giant. 21 So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him. 22 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 21:15-22 NKJV
Now it happened afterward that war broke out at Gezer with the Philistines, at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Sippai, who was one of the sons of the giant. And they were subdued. 5 Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, with twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. 7 So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son ofShimea, David’s brother, killed him. 8 These were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. 1 Chronicles 20:4–8 NKJV
Lord God Almighty,
Both the Levite of Priestly Chroniclers and the history recorders thought this victory, against the Goliath family, was worthy of recording in detail for history. David killed Goliath but Goliaths brothers and family were left to threaten another day . . .
They were enemies of size, power and immense weapons but they were still defeated. I am not keen on war films but I enjoy history documentaries which do not show the massacres in realistic details and dwell on the victories. I recognise the value of knowing about them and learning from them. That a victory can be won and how. This passage reassures me that I can trust in You God. No matter what, You God are here in the midst of our battles. In life’s challenges and spiritual (Ephesians 6:12). David was too old and weak to go out to war (2 Samuel 21:17) but You still enabled the victory.
The giants may try to intimidate, threaten and overwhelm us. But they are small in Your sight. Goliath’s are no match for You. You are our defender and shield (Psalm 84:9 Living Bible). Remind us not to go it alone.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Thursday 16th April 2026
Indulgence in the traditional, theological, comforting worship.
O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.
The earth, with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty! Thy power hath founded of old;
established it fast by a changeless decree,
and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender! How firm to the end!
our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend!
Lyrics: Robert Grant