12 and David goeth and taketh the bones of Saul, and the bones of Jonathan his son, from the possessors of Jabesh-Gilead, who had stolen them from the broad place of Beth-Shan, where the Philistines hanged them, in the day of the Philistines smiting Saul in Gilboa; 13 and he bringeth up thence the bones of Saul, and the bones of Jonathan his son, and they gather the bones of those hanged, 14 and bury the bones of Saul and of Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin, in Zelah, in the burying-place of Kish his father, and do all that the king commanded, and God is entreated for the land afterwards.
15 And again have the Philistines war with Israel, and David goeth down, and his servants with him, and they fight with the Philistines; and David is weary, 16 and Ishbi-Benob, who 'is' among the children of the giant—the weight of his spear 'is' three hundred 'shekels' weight of brass, and he is girded with a new one—speaketh of smiting David, 17 and Abishai son of Zeruiah giveth help to him, and smiteth the Philistine, and putteth him to death; then swear the men of David to him, saying, 'Thou dost not go out again with us to battle, nor quench the lamp of Israel.'
18 And it cometh to pass afterwards, that the battle is again in Gob with the Philistines, then hath Sibbechai the Hushathite smitten Saph, who 'is' among the children of the giant. 19 And the battle is again in Gob with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim, the Beth-Lehemite, smiteth 'a brother of' Goliath the Gittite, and the wood of his spear 'is' like a beam of weavers. 20 And the battle is again in Gath, and there is a man of stature, and the fingers of his hands 'are' six, and the toes of his feet 'are' six, twenty and four in number, and he also hath been born to the giant, 21 and he reproacheth Israel, and smite him doth Jonathan son of Shimeah, brother of David; 22 these four have been born to the giant in Gath, and they fall 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.