What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 20:5? Once again there was a battle with the Philistines The verse opens by reminding us that conflict with the Philistines was recurrent. Even after David’s earlier victories (1 Chronicles 18:1), this enemy kept resurfacing. Scripture presents these wars as: • A test of Israel’s trust in the Lord (Judges 3:1–2). • A stage on which God shows His faithfulness in every generation (Psalm 44:1–3). The phrase “once again” signals that God’s people must stay spiritually vigilant; past victories do not eliminate future challenges. and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi Elhanan appears among David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:24), demonstrating that courageous warriors existed beyond David himself. His slaying of Lahmi reveals: • God empowers different servants at different times (1 Samuel 17:46; 2 Chronicles 16:9). • Victory comes from the Lord, but He works through willing individuals (1 Samuel 14:6). The Chronicler faithfully records this deed to honor those who fought for the covenant community. the brother of Goliath the Gittite By identifying Lahmi as Goliath’s brother, the text deliberately connects this battle to the famous earlier one (1 Samuel 17). The key takeaways: • Giants still stood, but they were not unbeatable (2 Samuel 21:22). • David’s triumph over Goliath became a pattern for others; faith is contagious (Hebrews 13:7). • The verse clarifies 2 Samuel 21:19, harmonizing the account and underscoring Scripture’s accuracy. the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam This vivid detail echoes the description of Goliath’s weapon (1 Samuel 17:7). It underscores: • The intimidating size and strength of the enemy. • The greater power of God, who equips His people for what seems impossible (Psalm 18:32–34). • A call to remember that outward appearances do not decide the outcome—faith does (2 Corinthians 5:7). summary 1 Chronicles 20:5 records a literal historical event showing that God continues to raise up faithful warriors to confront recurring threats. Elhanan’s victory over Lahmi, Goliath’s brother, testifies that no matter how formidable the opposition or how often battles return, the Lord remains the true source of triumph for His people. |
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