Who Killed Goliath? Resolving the Mystery of Elhanan

2 Samuel 21:19

19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

2 Samuel 21:19 refers to a battle in Gob where Elhanan, the son of Jaare-oregim, slew a relative of the famous giant, a detail that is clarified through a comparison of biblical records and historical translationsKJV — 2Samuel 21:19+1.

The Identity of the Giant Slain by Elhanan

While 1 Samuel 17 clearly records that David killed the primary champion Goliath in his youth, 2 Samuel 21:19 describes a later exploit by one of David’s mighty menETI Elhanan.2+1. This specific Elhanan was a Bethlehemite, the son of Jaare-oregim (also known as Jair), who achieved fame for his bravery in battleKJV — 2Samuel 21:19+1. The text in 2 Samuel 21:19 originally identified his victim as the brother of Goliath, a fact confirmed by the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 20:5 which explicitly names the victim as Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the GittiteKJV — 1Chronicles 20:5+1.

Understanding the Translation Differences

The apparent confusion in 2 Samuel 21:19 stems from variations in manuscript translations over timeETI Elhanan.2.

• The Authorized Version (KJV): This version includes the words "the brother of" to maintain harmony with the clear description found in 1 Chronicles 20:5+1.

• The Revised Version: This version rightly omits those words, reflecting a literal reading of the specific Hebrew manuscript used for that passage, even though the context of the entire Bible identifies the victim as a sibling of the giant David slewETI Elhanan.2+1.

• Family Connection: Goliath had several relatives who were also giants born in Gath, including Lahmi, whose spear staff was also famously compared to a weaver’s beam 2 Samuel 21:22KJV — 2Samuel 21:19+1.

The Timeline of Exploits

It is important to distinguish between the two events to appreciate the full history of Israel’s victoriesBHOTV4 80. David’s combat with the first Goliath occurred early in his life when he was a youth, using only a sling and five smooth stones 1 Samuel 17:40-50ETI David.5. The exploit of Elhanan occurred much later during David's reign as king, as the Israelites continued to face the remaining descendants of the giants who had sought refuge among the PhilistinesETI Elhanan.2+1. By faith, David's servants, like Elhanan, were empowered to overcome these formidable enemies just as their king had done 2 Samuel 21:22ARSH May 19, 1851, page 88.8.

Summary of the Family of Giants

The giants of Gath were a terrifying force that defied the armies of the living God for forty days 1 Samuel 17:16BHOTV4 87.1. Elhanan’s victory over Lahmi demonstrates that the courage David displayed was shared by his mighty men, who eventually cleared the land of the remaining giant threats 2 Samuel 21:22PTUK May 5, 1898, page 282.4.