Goliath: His Sons
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Goliath, the formidable Philistine giant from Gath, is best known for his encounter with the young David, who would later become the king of Israel. This encounter is detailed in 1 Samuel 17, where David defeats Goliath with a sling and a stone. However, the legacy of Goliath extends beyond his own life, as the Bible also references his sons, who continued to pose a threat to Israel.

The sons of Goliath are mentioned in the context of ongoing battles between the Israelites and the Philistines. These accounts are found primarily in 2 Samuel 21:15-22 and 1 Chronicles 20:4-8. The passages describe a series of conflicts where David's warriors confront and defeat the descendants of the giant.

2 Samuel 21:15-22 : This passage recounts a series of battles between the Israelites and the Philistines. During one of these battles, Ishbi-benob, a descendant of the giants, threatens David. Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, comes to David's aid and kills Ishbi-benob. The text continues to describe other encounters with giants, including Saph and a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, who is also defeated by David's men.

1 Chronicles 20:4-8 : This parallel account provides additional details about the battles with the Philistine giants. It mentions Sibbecai the Hushathite killing Sippai, another descendant of the giants, and Elhanan son of Jair killing Lahmi, the brother of Goliath. The narrative concludes with Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David's brother, killing the giant with six fingers and toes.

The references to Goliath's sons and other descendants highlight the continued enmity between the Philistines and the Israelites. These accounts emphasize the bravery and prowess of David's warriors, who, under his leadership, were able to overcome formidable foes. The defeat of Goliath's sons serves as a testament to God's continued favor and protection over Israel, as well as the fulfillment of His promises to David.

The mention of these giants also underscores the recurring theme of divine intervention and the triumph of faith over seemingly insurmountable odds. Just as David's faith in God enabled him to defeat Goliath, so too did the faith and courage of his warriors lead to victory over the descendants of the giant.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Samuel 21:15-22
Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 20:4-8
And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... and contented himself with those three sons of his ... by his father, to carry provisions
to his brethren, and ... While Goliath came again, and challenged them, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how the philistines.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... eyes and looking on in silence, until seven of the sons of Jesse ... the giant, and having
no weapon except his sling, cut off Goliath's head with his own sword ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

The Story of David, the Shepherd Boy
... When they came, he looked at the sons of Jesse very closely. ... David came, and spoke
to his brothers; and while he was talking with them, Goliath the giant ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of david the.htm

The Call of David.
... Jesse at God's command, in order to choose one of his sons from the ... army, and in
consequence looked down upon David; on his asking about Goliath, one of ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iv the call of.htm

The History of Saul
... And then one said: I saw one of Jesse's sons play on a ... he was eased, and the evil
spirit went his way ... host of the Philistines a great giant named Goliath of Gath ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

The Story of David
... anxiously, day after day, for news of his three sons. ... The stone sank into Goliath's
forehead, and the great ... Instantly David seized his sword and cut off his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/david the shepherd boy/the story of david.htm

Psalm CXLIV.
... their tongues against the devil, and so Goliath's head is ... Whence "redeemeth He David
His servant ... about to separate believers from unbelievers, sons from parents ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxliv.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... He Could Not Take Care Of The Public Affairs Intrusted Them To His Sons; And How ...
Reign Of Saul; And How They Were Overcome By David's Slaying Goliath In Single ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

How David Fled to Ahimelech and Afterwards to the Kings of the ...
... that he received food from him, and the sword of Goliath, and was ... that his posterity
should be destroyed, on account of the transgression of his two sons. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how david fled.htm

Verbal Inspiration
... When going forth to meet Goliath David said, "This day will the Lord deliver thee ...
we read, "And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter thirteen verbal inspiration .htm

Resources
Who was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Are there beheadings recorded in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about 1 Samuel | GotQuestions.org

Goliath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Goliath: Defied Armies of Israel and is Killed by David
Top of Page
Top of Page