2 Samuel 21 starts weirdly, but it has a fascinating ending.

War broke out again between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went down to fight. David became exhausted. Ishbi-Benob, a warrior descended from Rapha, with a spear weighing nearly eight pounds and outfitted in brand-new armor, announced that he’d kill David. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to the rescue, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “No more fighting on the front-lines for you! Don’t snuff out the lamp of Israel!” Later there was another skirmish with the Philistines at Gob. That time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, another of the warriors descended from Rapha. At yet another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaar, the weaver of Bethlehem, killed Goliath the Gittite whose spear was as big as a flagpole. Still another fight broke out in Gath. There was a giant there with six fingers on his hands and six toes on his feet—twenty-four fingers and toes! He was another of those descended from Rapha. He insulted Israel, and Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him. (2 Samuel 21.15 – 21, MSG)

More war, and David is too old to fight. There were four giants:

• Abishai killed one in verse 17
• Sibbecai killed another in verse 18
• Elhanan killed a third in verse 19
• Jonathan son of Shimeah killed a fourth in verses 20, 21

My Navigator hero Skip Gray used to say: “Why did David take five smooth stones? Because Goliath had four brothers.”

These four were descended from Rapha in Gath. And they all were killed by David and his soldiers. (2 Samuel 21.22, MSG)

My son David (who shared his observations on 2 Samuel 10 last week) pointed out to me that in 1 Samuel 17 the whole army was terrified by the giant Goliath, and an entire chapter is devoted to David’s taking him on. Now there are four giants, and four different men take them out as a matter of routine. David, the warrior, set the example and trained his replacements.

I have fought the good fight. (Paul to Timothy, 2 Timothy 4.7, ESV)

God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. (Ephesians 6.10 – 18, MSG)