Fighting Giants In Your Old Age

I shared this Sunday with the congregation. I spoke about missed opportunities and how sometime things come back to haunt us in our old age.

This is without a doubt one of the most famous Bible stories--the little guy fighting the big guy.  However, there are some hidden elements of this story that are overlooked by the casual reader. For years I have enjoyed the study of the scripture, seeking to find hidden truth.  Let’s take a look at this story and see what we can find.

It was around 1020 B.C., the Philistines camped on the southern side of the Valley of Elah between the cities of Socoh and Azekah.  Saul and the Israelite army moved into a defensive position on the northern ridge overlooking the Valley of Elah opposite the Philistine camp. The Philistines had a champion named Goliath who for forty days went down into the valley to taunt the Israeli army and defy Almighty God. This giant who was somewhere around 10 feet tall would challenge the Israeli army to bring their champion so there might be a duel between two warriors.  This challenge put fear in the hearts of the soldiers of Israel.  Got the picture?

David was a young man at the time, perhaps in his teens; I like to think he was about seventeen.  His main responsibility in life was to tend his father’s sheep. His mission on this day from his father was to take provisions to his three older brothers, who served with Saul’s army, David made the fifteen-mile trek from his hometown of Bethlehem down to the Israelite camp in the Valley of Elah. 

When he arrived, he heard the challenge of Goliath, the giant from the city of Gath. David was deeply offended that this “uncircumcised Philistine” would taunt the people of the living God. David wanted to know, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?" So David volunteered to fight Goliath. It took some persuasion, but King Saul finally agreed to let David fight against the giant. I have no idea what Saul was thinking to let a young boy become the bait for his strategy.     

David took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. [1 Samuel 17:40] 

Here is where is starts getting interesting.  Why did David get five smooth stones from the brook? We have the benefit of hindsight and know that it only took one stone to drop Goliath, but what was David thinking?  Why five smooth stones? Goliath had four brothers and David was prepared to kill the four other giants who may have been standing with their older brother—Goliath.   Meeting all five giants would not happen on this day, it would be some sixty years later that he would finish what he started on this day in the Valley of Elah.

Before we look at the four brothers of Goliath we need to be aware that there is no happenstance in life and understanding the adversity that comes our way may have started when we were younger.  David was ready to face all the giants of his life in one day but, circumstances prevented this from happening.  No doubt in the moment of David’s victory the enemy realized that there would be a better day to take on David—when he would be old and weak.  Our enemy does not need to defeat us today; he can wait until we are unprepared and vulnerable to his attack.  From the life David we will learn we face a common enemy all from the same evil family.

The types and symbolism in this study may not be acceptable to some but, you will have to admit it makes for a very interesting study of the spiritual conflict that each of us face on our spiritual journey.

Looking at the term “giant” used in the story of David’s life is the Hebrew word rephaim. This word rephaim along with  nephilim and anakim are in reference to the Old Testament giants.   Not to get into a theological discussion of the giants, I will just say I believe the giants were the unnatural offspring of the unholy union between angels and human women as recorded in Genesis 6:1–4. 

Let’s put some order to the giants in David’s life.

• 1.      Goliath and is killed by David (1 Samuel 17:50–51).  Goliath.-  means to exile.  Goliath symbolizes separation.

• 2.      Ishbibenob, he is killed by Abishai (2 Samuel 21:16–17.  Ishbibenob.-  is a compound of yashab, which means to dwell or abide, and nob, which means high places symbolizes pride.

• 3.       Saph-- 2 Samuel 21:18, but is called Sippai in 1 Chronicles 20:4  he is killed by Sibbechai. Saph/Sippai.- root word of caph actually means to snatch away or terminate; in other words to stop short of, or break covenant.  As such, Saph symbolizes hypocrisy. 

• 4.      Lahmi--2 Samuel 21:19 he is referred to only as Goliath’s brother, but his name is provided in 1 Chronicles 20:5; he is killed by Elhanan. Lahmi.- means my bread, or my war; the possessive my being emphasized symbolizes selfishness (greed, lust).

• 5.      Six-fingers--no name is provided for the fifth giant who is referred to only as “a man of great stature from Gath.”  He was killed by Jonathan (2 Samuel 21:21,21; 1 Chronicles 20:6,7).  A Man of great Stature from Gath.-  Six-fingers-the grip of sin.  The number six symbolizes man’s opposition to and independence from God, and the grip of sin on one’s life.  The feet symbolizes the walk on the Broadways of life. 

 David.-  means beloved and he was loved by his men.  David had the ability to draw mighty men of valor around him.  He was a man’s man.  He was a man who led men.

 Abishai (Son of Zeruiah).- Nephew-family The root word of the name Abishai means to equalize. Abishai killed Ishbibenob; hence equalization overcomes pride.  Ishbibenob fought David and apparently was close to killing him when Abishai rescued David.  Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. [Proverbs 16:18] 

Pride is the over-estimation of oneself combined with the under-estimation of others. We are not to think of ourselves too highly or of others to lowly, but to think according to what God’s word commands, according to the measure of faith, grace, and the gifts that the Father has given each individual believer. 

In addition to meaning equalize, the name Abishai also means source of wealth, or father of a gift; e.g. generosity. 

Finally, Abishai is noted as being the son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. The name Zeruiah is translated balm, an aromatic tree  used as a medicinal ointment-- it is symbolic of spiritual healing. 

 Sibbechai.-  means Yahweh (Jehovah) intervenes. The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. [1 Chronicles 27:11]  Sibbechai was the eighth captain in the eighth month. The number eight symbolizes a new beginning, resurrection, and regeneration. Sibbechai killed Saph, who symbolizes covenant breaking or hypocrisy.

 Further information is provided by Sibbechai’s lineage. The root words for Hushathite mean someone who makes haste doesn’t waste time the root definition of Zerah is to irradiate with light to expose to the light.  Overcoming hypocrisy requires God’s intervention, exposing it to the light, making haste and starting over.  

Sibbechai is also called Mebunnai in 2 Samuel 23:27 (cf. 1 Chronicles 11:29).  Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, [2 Samuel 23:27] “body is the temple of God   ”Mebunnai means to build up, or building of Yahweh  The building of Yahweh is the Temple. It is provocative to note that the giant overcome by Sibbechai/Mebunnai is called Saph. The root word for Saph is caph; the root word of caph is caphah. It is used only once in the Bible is Psalm 84. 

For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand {outside.} I would rather stand at the threshold (caphah) of the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness. [Psalm 84:10 NAS]

Sibbechai appears to represent the fullness of God’s building; God’s dwelling. We are individually and corporately the Temple of God, partakers of the New Covenant and the power of the resurrection through the blood of Christ. Saph represents stopping short of entering or even breaking covenant; or worse yet, turning away from the covenant. 

Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? [Hebrews 10:29 NKJ]  

 Elhanan (son of Jair).-  is a compound word combining El (God) with chanan, meaning to show favor or kindness, to be gracious, to move to favor by petition;  Elhanan means God is gracious, or God is moved to favor by petition.  Elhanan killed Lahmi who symbolizes selfishness, greed and lust.   Selfishness, greed and lust are closely related but each is slightly different. Selfishness is being “concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself…without regard for others.” Greed is defined as “a selfish and excessive desire for more than is neede d.” And lust is defined as “an intense or unbridled desire or need.” 

Elhanan’s father’s name is given as Jair in 1 Chronicles 20:5. Jair means He enlightens, may Yahweh (Jehovah) shine forth, one giving light, or He arouses.

 Jonathan/ Nephew   means Yahweh (Jehovah) has given. Jonathan is identified as the son of Shimea. In 2 Samuel 13:3, Shimea is recorded as having a son named Jonadab or Jehonadab; which may simply be different names for the same man.  Jehonadab means Yahweh (Jehovah) is liberal or Yahweh (Jehovah) is noble, and can mean Yahweh (Jehovah) is magnanimous.  This makes complete sense since magnanimous means showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit, and showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind. Yahweh is clearly all these things and the man Jonathan/Jehonadab was an earthly representation of these qualities. 

Jonathan/Jehonadab killed a man of great stature from Gath. We are reminded again of the abnormal size of these men, thereby signifying that these are unnatural thought patterns. There are times when pressure or fear can be good things. We are commanded to fear the Lord, plus we learn obedience through suffering, and fear can keep us from danger or harm. This is clearly not the case here since everything about this giant declares that he is unnatural. 

The giant from Gath had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, symbolizing that both his hands and feet were quick to do the work of and walk in the ways of the world, and abnormally strong for exerting pressure. One of the greatest sources of anxiety and pressure is “the world” and worldly systems. 

Shimea was David’s brother, making Jonathan David’s nephew.  The root word of Shimea is shama, which means, to hear intelligently, with the implication of attention and obedience. It is this word that inaugurates the Jewish confession of faith known as the Shema that begins, In the Shema, it is Israel that is exhorted to hear and obey. But the name Shimea in this context means God has heard, and by implication obeys, or more aptly responds.  

In summary what lessons do we learn from killing giants and how do we overcome the carnal- giants we face? 

• The giants represent the carnal nature of man which is contrary to the Spirit of God. The giants could not be defeated without the assistance from God.  We cannot fight the carnal nature--only God can.
• The giants are all brothers-- the carnal nature has its root in the nature of sin-- all from the father of all evil--Satan
• The giants are Philistines with no legitimate rights to the land they occupied.  Sin does not have a legitimate right to the soul.  All five giants were from Gath the home of the father of all the giants.
• David took five smooth stones as his weapon of choice to kill these giants. He chose stones from the brook because the flowing water makes them smooth over time, and smooth stones fly straighter. The water represents the cleansing ministry of the Holy Spirit and the stones represent Jesus Christ and the  promise of God  to overcome each separate enemy.
• Five is the number of grace and mercy.  It is by grace that we are saved, not by our own action.  I hope this has given you some food for thought.