1 Chronicles 20:5 kjv
And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam.
1 Chronicles 20:5 nkjv
Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
1 Chronicles 20:5 niv
In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod.
1 Chronicles 20:5 esv
And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
1 Chronicles 20:5 nlt
During another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of Lahmi's spear was as thick as a weaver's beam!
1 Chronicles 20 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 17:4-7 | A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath… The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam. | The original Goliath whom David defeated. |
| 1 Sam 17:48-51 | David... took Goliath's sword... and cut off his head. | David's singular and decisive victory over Goliath. |
| 2 Sam 21:19 | There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver's beam. | The parallel account, which 1 Chronicles 20:5 clarifies. |
| 1 Chron 20:4 | In a later battle in Gezer with the Philistines, Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaim. | Preceding account of David's mighty men killing giants. |
| 1 Chron 20:6-8 | There was still another battle in Gath… Jonathan son of Shimea… killed him. These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and his men. | Subsequent accounts of David's men killing giants, summarizing their lineage. |
| 2 Sam 21:15-18 | Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David... and Abishai... and Sibbecai... and Elhanan... | Broader context of David's mighty men fighting Philistine giants. |
| Deut 2:10-11 | The Emim formerly lived there… a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakim; they were also known as Rephaim. | Describes ancient giant races related to Goliath's lineage. |
| Josh 11:21-22 | Joshua eliminated the Anakim from the hill country... None were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive. | Explains why giants persisted in Philistine cities. |
| 1 Sam 4:1-11 | The Philistines came against Israel and defeated them... capturing the ark of God. | Historical context of early Philistine military dominance. |
| 1 Sam 7:7-13 | When the Philistines attacked Israel, the Lord thundered with a mighty roar against them... | God's direct intervention in Israel's wars with Philistines. |
| 1 Sam 13:5-7 | The Philistines mustered... as numerous as the sand on the seashore. | Depicts the vast and intimidating scale of Philistine armies. |
| 1 Sam 14:6 | Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf.” | Shows the courage of Israel's warriors trusting in God. |
| Ps 33:16-17 | No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength... a horse is a vain hope for deliverance. | Emphasizes that victory comes from God, not human might. |
| Zech 4:6 | ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. | God's Spirit as the source of strength for His people. |
| 1 Cor 10:11 | These things happened to them as examples... written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. | Old Testament battles provide lessons for believers today. |
| Heb 11:32-34 | And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about... David... who through faith conquered kingdoms, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. | Highlights faith as the foundation of these great victories. |
| Eph 6:10-12 | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes... against the powers of this dark world. | Echoes the concept of confronting formidable foes, spiritually. |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. | Affirmation of the reliability and accuracy of the biblical text, including its harmonies. |
| 2 Pet 1:20-21 | Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation... but men spoke from God. | Reinforces the divine origin and authoritative nature of Scripture. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all this through him who gives me strength. | A general principle of strength in God that applies to mighty acts. |
1 Chronicles 20 verses
1 Chronicles 20 5 Meaning
The verse describes an additional battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. It records that Elhanan, the son of Jair, defeated and killed Lahmi, who is identified as the brother of Goliath the Gittite. Lahmi was a giant warrior whose formidable spear staff was compared in size to a weaver's beam, mirroring the description of his more famous brother. This account specifically clarifies the identity of the slain giant to resolve potential confusion with King David's unique victory over Goliath.
1 Chronicles 20 5 Context
1 Chronicles 20 is a chapter focused on a series of decisive military victories achieved by David's mighty men against Philistine giants. These battles likely occurred during David's later reign, after he had ceased to lead troops directly into battle. The chapter runs parallel to 2 Samuel 21:15-22, providing specific details on the four notable giants killed. For the post-exilic community for whom the Chronicler wrote, these accounts served to underscore God's continued faithfulness to Israel through the Davidic lineage, despite formidable adversaries. They also highlighted the valor of the mighty men, acting as a historical and theological anchor, confirming divine protection and the successful establishment of the Davidic kingdom.
1 Chronicles 20 5 Word analysis
- And again (וַתְּהִי עוֹד): "And there was yet" or "and again it happened." This signifies the recurring nature of the conflict with the Philistines, indicating that this was not an isolated incident but part of an ongoing struggle against a persistent enemy. It connects this battle to previous ones mentioned or understood.
- there was war (מִלְחָמָה): "War," "battle." This emphasizes the reality of sustained conflict that Israel faced, underscoring the necessity of their military strength and reliance on God for victories.
- with the Philistines (עִם־פְלִשְׁתִּים): Identifies Israel's chief and long-standing adversaries during this historical period. The Philistines' presence and power constantly threatened Israel's peace and existence.
- Elhanan (אֶלְחָנָן): Meaning "God has been gracious." He was one of David's mighty men (cf. 2 Sam 23:24), whose name itself is a testimony to divine favor, suggesting God's gracious intervention in granting him strength and victory.
- the son of Jair (בֶּן־יָעוֹר): Jair is presented as Elhanan's father. This patronym is straightforward, notably different from the potentially ambiguous "son of Jaare-Oregim, the Bethlehemite" in 2 Samuel 21:19, which likely had scribal conflation and has been clarified by the Chronicler.
- slew (וַיַּךְ): "And he struck down," "and he killed." A clear action verb indicating a decisive defeat in battle.
- Lahmi (לַחְמִי): This specific proper name is crucial. It directly identifies the slain giant as "Lahmi," thereby distinguishing him from the original Goliath whom David defeated. The Chronicler adds this name to provide clarity to the 2 Samuel 21:19 account, which, without "Lahmi," could be misread to imply Elhanan killed David's Goliath. The term "Lahmi" might stem from "Beth-haLahmi" (the Bethlehemite), interpreted here as a proper name.
- the brother of Goliath (אֲחִי גָּלְיָת): This explicit familial relationship is the core of the Chronicler's harmonization. It clearly states that Elhanan killed a brother of Goliath, affirming that David's iconic triumph over Goliath (1 Sam 17) remains singular and unchallenged. This also underscores the formidable nature of Lahmi as being from the same giant lineage.
- the Gittite (הַגִּתִּי): From Gath, one of the primary Philistine city-states known for its large and fearsome warriors, including the famous Goliath. This appellation reinforces Lahmi's connection to Goliath's notorious family.
- whose spear staff (קַנּוֹ אֶטָה): Referring to the main shaft or wooden part of the spear, excluding the spearhead.
- was like a weaver's beam (כִּמְנוֹר אֹרְגִים): A large, thick wooden beam used in a loom, around which threads are wound. This vivid simile, also used for Goliath (1 Sam 17:7), dramatically illustrates the immense size and weight of Lahmi's weapon, signifying his own massive stature and formidable physical power, directly linking him to his renowned giant brother.
1 Chronicles 20 5 Bonus section
The careful textual harmonization in 1 Chronicles 20:5 underscores the Chronicler's theological commitment to both historical accuracy and the integrity of the sacred narrative. Rather than being a mere copyist, the Chronicler engaged with the biblical traditions (like those in Samuel) in a way that sometimes clarified, re-emphasized, or provided fuller detail to specific events. This instance demonstrates how textual differences across parallel passages (e.g., between Samuel and Chronicles) are not necessarily contradictions but often divinely inspired expansions or explanations that deepen our understanding of the whole biblical testimony. This serves to affirm the cohesive nature of Scripture and God's sovereign oversight in its transmission and preservation, offering a powerful example of how "all Scripture is God-breathed" and serves to teach and correct (2 Tim 3:16).
1 Chronicles 20 5 Commentary
1 Chronicles 20:5 serves as a vital passage for understanding the precision and theological intention behind the Chronicler's historical narrative. Beyond simply recounting a battle, the verse meticulously clarifies a potential ambiguity found in 2 Samuel 21:19. By specifically naming "Lahmi" as "the brother of Goliath," the Chronicler preserves the unparalleled heroism of King David, who famously slew Goliath of Gath as recounted in 1 Samuel 17. This deliberate textual intervention ensures that David's unique and faith-filled victory remains paramount in Israel's history. It also continues the narrative thread of God's enabling strength for His people, manifested through David's mighty men, who confronted and overcame formidable Philistine giants. The detailed description of the "weaver's beam" spear shaft emphasizes the colossal scale of these adversaries, highlighting that Israel's triumphs were not against common foes but against superhuman threats, requiring divine empowerment for success. This encourages the post-exilic community to trust in God's continuous deliverance even against overwhelming odds.