… and David waxed faint. And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giants… being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. But Abishai… succoured him, and smote the Philistine.
2 Samuel 21:15-17.
David, the thrice-anointed of the Lord; David, the giant-killer; David, king of Israel, “waxed faint” in the midst of a battle! A very strange scripture that is, about David the warrior … faint in battle…!
In this season of David’s strange weakness was when one of the surviving brothers of Goliath the giant, whom David had slain in his younger days, plotted the death of that aging general. Revenge? After over three decades? A voice from the past…
David had risen to sudden fame through his liquidation of the loud and loquacious national threat called Goliath. However, the present public overthrow of Goliath had not eradicated all the secret and surviving threats that the defeated Goliath still portended. The dancing women of Israel, who had lavishly celebrated David’s present triumph had not seen beyond their present parties into that fearful future. From the defeated giant’s roots was arising a future threat.
Emboldened with his “new sword,” Ishbibenob the giant “thought to have slain David.” He probably thought to test his new weapon on the aging king. Just then, God sent one of David’s mighty men, Abishai, to come to the help of the fainting general, against that strong man of Satan, and Abishai “smote the Philistine, and killed him.” Thus, God frustrated the expectations of the enemy, insisting, “quench not the light of Israel” (v.17).
Thank God for discerning, handy and timely Abishais in this age when many surviving sons of ancient giants are rising to aim their new weapons at our tiring and retiring generals. Thank God for sons raised yesterday through the horrible wilderness and the pleasant palaces, who, like a full quiver today, can “speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:5). Also, had David eaten those tender sons in the testy days of his famines … (2 Kings 6:25, 29).
From The Preacher’s diary,
June 29 2006.
I love this. Great lesson there.