Abishai Rescues David from the Giant

15 And the Philistines went to war again with Israel; and David went down with his people, and while they were at Gob they had a fight with the Philistines: 16 And there came against David one of the offspring of the Rephaim, whose spear was three hundred shekels of brass in weight, and having a new sword, he made an attempt to put David to death. 17 But Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, came to his help, and, turning on the Philistine, gave him his death-blow. Then David's men took an oath, and said, Never again are you to go out with us to the fight, so that you may not put out the light of Israel.

The Giants Slain by David's Men

18 Now after this there was war with the Philistines again at Gob, and Sibbecai the Hushathite put to death Saph, one of the offspring of the Rephaim. 19 And again there was war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan, the son of Jair the Beth-lehemite, put to death Goliath the Gittite, the stem of whose spear was like a cloth-worker's rod. 20 And again there was war at Gath, where there was a very tall man, who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six fingers on his hands and six toes on his feet; he was one of the offspring of the Rephaim. 21 And when he was purposing to put shame on Israel, Jonathan, the son of Shimei, David's brother, put him to death. 22 These four were of the offspring of the Rephaim in Gath; and they came to their end by the hands of David and his servants.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:15-22

Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:15-22

(Read 2 Samuel 21:15-22)

These events seem to have taken place towards the end of David's reign. David fainted, but he did not flee, and God sent help in the time of need. In spiritual conflicts, even strong saints sometimes wax faint; then Satan attacks them furiously; but those who stand their ground and resist him, shall be relieved and made more than conquerors. Death is a Christian's last enemy, and a son of Anak; but through Him that triumphed for us, believers shall be more than conquerors at last, even over that enemy.