12 then David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead e , who had stolen them from the open square of Beth-shan , where e the Philistines had hanged them on the day the Philistines struck down Saul in Gilboa . 13 He brought up the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from there , and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged . 14 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela , in the grave of Kish his father ; thus they did all that the king commanded , and after that God was moved by prayer for the land .
15 Now when the Philistines were at war again with Israel , David went down and his servants with him; and as they fought against the Philistines , David became weary . 16 Then Ishbi-benob , who was among the descendants of the giant , the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of bronze in weight , was girded with a new sword, and he intended to kill David . 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying , " You shall not go out again with us to battle , so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel ."
18 Now it came about after this that there was war again with the Philistines at Gob ; then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph , who was among the descendants of the giant . 19 There was war with the Philistines again at Gob , and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite , the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam . 20 There was war at Gath again , where there was a man of great stature who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot , twenty-four e in number ; and he also had been born to the giant . 21 When he defied Israel , Jonathan the son of Shimei , David's brother , struck him down . 22 These four were born to the giant in Gath , and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:12-22
Commentary on 2 Samuel 21:10-14
(Read 2 Samuel 21:10-14)
That a guilty land should enjoy many years of plenty, calls for gratitude; and we need not wonder misused abundance should be punished with scarcity; yet how few are disposed to ask of the Lord concerning the sinful cause, while numbers search for the second causes by which he is pleased to work! But the Lord will plead the cause of those who cannot or will not avenge themselves; and the prayers of the poor are of great power. When God sent rain to water the earth, these bodies were buried, for then it appeared that God was entreated for the land. When justice is done on earth, vengeance from heaven ceases. God is pacified, and is entreated for us through Christ, who was hanged on a tree, and so made a curse for us, to do away our guilt, though he was himself guiltless.
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.