How does this verse connect to David's earlier battles with the Philistines? A Word-for-Word Link between Giants • 1 Chronicles 20:5—“Elhanan son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam.” • 1 Samuel 17:7 describes Goliath’s own spear with the identical phrase “like a weaver’s beam.” • Scripture repeats this detail to signal that the same kind of enemy David once faced personally is now falling before his men. One Continuous War Story • David first enters Israel’s history as a Philistine–slayer in 1 Samuel 17 (Goliath). • Battles continue through 1 Samuel 19, 23, 30; 2 Samuel 5:17-25; 1 Chronicles 14:8-16; 18:1. • 1 Chronicles 20:5 appears late in David’s reign, showing that the Philistine threat persisted—but God’s victories did too. Passing the Torch of Courage • David modeled faith: “I come against you in the name of the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:45). • His mighty men absorb that confidence; 1 Chronicles 11:10-47 lists many who do “Goliath-like” exploits. • Elhanan’s win proves David’s earlier triumph was not a one-off but the new normal for Israel’s warriors. God’s Unbroken Pattern of Deliverance 1. God raises a champion (David) to defeat a giant (Goliath). 2. God raises more champions (Elhanan, Abishai, Benaiah) to finish off the rest (2 Samuel 21:18-22; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8). 3. Result: “The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went” (1 Chronicles 18:6). Textual Harmony, Not Contradiction • 2 Samuel 21:19’s Hebrew text is shorter and can look like Elhanan killed Goliath; 1 Chronicles 20:5 clarifies he killed Lahmi, Goliath’s brother. • Chronicles supplies the fuller detail, so both passages fit together without conflict. Why the Chronicler Highlights This Connection • To remind readers that the same God who empowered David at the start of his public life is still active decades later. • To show God’s covenant faithfulness: He not only secures initial victory but sustains it until every giant is gone. • To encourage succeeding generations: if God once used a shepherd boy, He can now use any faithful warrior. Takeaway for Today The verse links back to David’s first Philistine battle to teach that God’s victories are cumulative—what He begins with one obedient servant, He continues through many. |
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