2 Samuel 21:15-22

At the end of chapter 21 we come to an odd collection of mini-stories that don’t really fit the context or chronology. But like I always say to myself, there must be a purpose and significance to this section or God wouldn’t have included it. 

Big! Really Big!

The theme of these mini-stories is “killing giants”. The four stories tell of four different times that the Philistines rose up against Israel and each time they put their hope in a giant warrior. I guess the Philistines didn’t learn from Goliath. In each story the giant’s physical stature was emphasized, and they were described as being big. Really, really big. The Philistines kept getting beat by Israel but every time a new giant emerged as a new warrior for them, they were inspired to go after Israel again. The same result occurred each time. The stories provide little detail.  The text simply states that one of David’s mighty men steps up and kills the giant. End of story. Concise and simple with little detail or fanfare.

By My Spirit

What comes to mind as a cross-reference is Zechariah 4:6, “This is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit’ says the Lord of hosts.” This was a word from God to Zerubbabel to encourage him to finish rebuilding the destroyed wall even if all odds were against him. When the army of Israel was cowering in fear of Goliath, David defeated him not with might nor with power but by the Spirit. Back in I Samuel 14, the Philistines had a distinct military advantage over the Israelites and they were fearful to go into battle with the Philistines. But Jonathan went himself with only his armor bearer and said, “perhaps the Lord will work for us, for He is not restrained to save by many or by few.” The Philistines fell before Jonathan that day by the work of the Lord.

We calculate the odds; we consider the resources available; we fear the enemy on the basis of power and might. Lord, teach us to turn to you in every decision and seek Your plan and Your path for us. Let us not rely on calculations of resources and odds. May we live by faith and not by sight. Amen!