Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 20:5
Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records this event during a sequence of Philistine campaigns, immediately following Sibbecai’s victory at Gezer and preceding the encounter at Gath. The narrative addresses Israel’s military history to document how Yahweh subdued their enemies through named warriors.
The words — The text employs וַתְּהִי־ מִלְחָמָה (va’təhî milḥāmâ), literally “and there was a battle,” to mark a renewed conflict. It then uses וַיַּךְ אֶלְחָנָן (wa/yayyəḵ ’elḥānān), meaning “and Elhanan struck down,” to record the specific act of killing Lahmi.
The thread — This account runs parallel to 2 Samuel 21:19, which places a similar battle at Gob and identifies Elhanan as a Bethlehemite. It also echoes the physical description of Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:4 and 17:7, where his spear shaft is compared to a weaver’s beam.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to note the precise identification of Lahmi as Goliath’s brother rather than equating the two figures. It demands careful attention to the Chronicler’s distinct record of Israel’s military victories without conflating the accounts.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 21:19 Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
- 1 Samuel 17:4 Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height,
- 1 Samuel 17:7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. In addition, his shield bearer went before him.
- 1 Samuel 21:9 The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want, you may take it. For there is no other but this one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”
- 1 Samuel 22:10 Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”