The Forgotten Giant
2 Samuel 21:15-17
Everyone knows the story of David killing the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17), but did you know that there was another giant in David’s life–one whom David was not able to kill?
Ishbi-benob was the giant’s name and, like Goliath, he was a Philistine. David bravely faced the enemy, but the giant proved too much for the king! It took Abishai, David’s nephew, to rescue the king from certain death.
Let’s learn a few lessons from this story of the forgotten giant.
For one thing, God does not always do the miraculous. God directed David’s sling and stone when he faced Goliath; but when it came to Ishbi-benob, God used Abishai’s sword. Sometimes God does the unusual; more often, He usues the means available get the job done.
Here’s another thought: giants have a way of coming back! We never outgrow temptations and trials. Yes, as a young man, David killed Goliath; but as an older man, he faced one of Goliath’s relatives! “Watch and pray” is sound spiritual counsel for every Christian; for you never know when there is another giant around the corner. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Co 10:12).
You cannot always win the battle alone. Years before, David was the sole hero when Goliath was slain. But the next time he faced a giant, David needed help. His nephew Abishai had proved to be a headstrong and fiery youth, and David had not always agreed with what he did. But Abishai (with all his faults) was the man God used to save the king’s life. It may surprise you when you get to heaven to discover the Christians here on earth that God has used to help you along the journey of life.
(Copyright, Warren W. Wiersbe. First appeared in Thoughts for Men on the Move. May not be copied or reproduced without express written permission of the author.)
Dr. Warren Wiersbe (1929-2019) was an internationally known Bible teacher, author, and conference speaker. He graduated in 1953 from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. While attending seminary, he was ordained as pastor of Central Baptist Church in 1951 and served until 1957. From September 1957 to 1961, Wiersbe served as Director of The Literature Division for Youth for Christ International. From 1961 to 1971 he pastored Calvary Baptist Church of Covington, Kentucky south of Cincinnati, Ohio. His sermons were broadcast as the “Calvary Hour” on a local Cincinnati radio station. From 1971 to 1978, He served as the pastor of Moody Church in Chicago 1971 to 1978. While at Moody Church he continued in radio ministry. Between August 1979 and March 1982, he wrote bi-weekly for Christianity Today as “Eutychus X”, taught practical theology classes at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and wrote the course material and taught a Doctor of Ministry course at Trinity and Dallas Seminary. In 1980 he transitioned to Back to the Bible radio broadcasting network where he worked until 1990. Dr. Wiersbe became Writer in Residence at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids and Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. In his lifetime, Dr. Wiersbe wrote over 170 books—including the popular Be series, which has sold over four million copies. Dr. Wiersbe was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).
