The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 512

V ers. 15-22 (1 Chron. u:. 4-8).-Giants: a sermon to young peo-ple. "As for these four, they were born to the giant (Ha-rapha) in Gath, and fell by tbe ha.nd of David, and by tbe hand of his servants" (ver. 22). Of the age before the Flood it is said, "In those days were the giants [NephiJ,im, men of lofty stature and ferocious cba.racter] upon the earth" (Gen. vi. 4; Numb. xiii. 32, 33). At a subsequent period there was a like formidable race called Rephaim (Gen. xiv. 5; xv. 20), to which belonged the Emim, the Zuzim (Zamzummim), and the Anakim (Deut. ii. 10, 11, 20, 21; ix. 2), One of this race, of extra.ordinary stature, was Og, King of Basban (Dent. iii. 10; Josh. xii. 4), Others, more recently, dwelt among the Philistines (Josh. xi. 12), like Golia.th (1 Sam. ::i:vii. 4-11) and the four here mentioned, who were either sons of a celebrated giant (the Rapha) or descendants of the original founder of the tribe. They were all idolaters and formidable opponents of Israel. .dnd there are giants among us now. I do not mean such ogres as children read of in story-books; or such harmless persons of exceptional height as are sometimes seen; or even S!lch as appear in any bodily form; but, never- theless, real, powerful, and terrible giants, aptly represented by " these four'' slain by David and his heroes. I. TREY BELONG TO ONE FAMILY. It is: 1. An ancient family; as old as sin, and came into the world with it. It survived the Deluge; spread, among the dispersed nations, over all the earth; had one of its principal settlements in Canaan ; and, a.midst all the conflicts and changes of mankind, bas continued to this day. 2. An ungodly family. None of its members believe in the living and true God or obey his command- ments; yet they have many gods (1 Sam. xvii. 43). 3. A selfish family. They a.II seek their own, and often contend against one a.nother. 4. A numerous, mighty, and destructive family. They have their walled cities and strongholds, defy the armies of the living God (ver. 21), and sometimes terrify them (1 Sam. xvii. 1-11) by their imposing appearance and evil doings (Ps. xiv. 1-3; Rom. iii. 10-18). What is this giant family ? You have doubtless already discovered that it consists of sine, vices, and wickedness of all kinds. II. THEY ARE KNOWN BY VARIOUS NAMES. Here are long lists of them (Matt. xv. 19~ Gal. v. 19-21 ; Col. iii. 5-9). But notice especially these four: £1) Pride, or undue self-esteem and contempt of other persons (vers.16, 17). The name 1sh'bi--benob signifies .. my dwelling is on the height;" and was possibly given to him because he had h_is castle on a lofty, inacces~ible rock. The brazen head of his lance was eight pounds m weight; and, arrayed in new armour, be reaolved to kill David, and nearly succeeded; OIi, XXI. 1-22,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 525