I have already stated my view concerning the two fatal blows both of which bring death but only one actualy WAS immediately his death. (one figuritive and one literal - Just like its hebrew meaning). I also wanted to just touch on something else pertaing to the passage. I don't want to get off topic but I think it is (sort of) still on topic as many newer bibles try to state that Davids brother killed Goliath in stead of David using the 2 Sam. passages because they "THINK" there is a mistranslation because it speaks of a Goliath so it MUST be The Goliath. It is an error regarding who killed Goliath and I think pertains here.
Scripture does not state Goliath (the Giant of Gath whom David slew) had any brothers or siblings. Those Giants later on who were killed by David’s servants were the Son’s of the Giant of Gath as says the scriptures. And yes one of those sons was named after his father (the Giant of Gath) Goliath. How can we know or conclude this: This way please...
Naming a child after their father was not an unknown custom then any more than it is today. Some people note that because the spear is like Goliath and his hands (6 fingers) and feet (6 toes) were like that of Goliath of Gath, this must be Goliath – except this giant was killed by one of David’s servants and not David so either scripture is incorrect (which I don’t believe) or this is another Giant who is most likely Goliaths son. Also, what about this weapon that resemble the dimensions and weight of Goliaths spear? Is it Goliaths – Most probably, especially if one considers a son whose feature resemble his fathers and that in the event of the death of the father one would inherit something symbolic of their family; such as a spear that would be well known for it size (there would doubtless be more than one such type of spear in existence - they break in battle) and would be a family heirloom from his father much like swords, daggers, armor, and shields were for those whose fathers were warriors.
There is only one giant of Gath - and as we read in 2 Sam. We find this giant had 4 sons. We know that these 4 giants were killed by David’s servants (one of them unnamed) but one called the Giant of Goth was killed by David. It is not uncommon for (even then) for Sons to be named after their fathers especially if the name was descriptive in some way (as mentioned above) -ie like Goliath – meaning Massive, huge.
We see it states:
2Sa 21:22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants
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4 were born to and were giants -plus- the giant of Gath -equals 5 total giants
4 giants killed by David’s servants -plus- David Killed the giant of Gath -equals- 5 total dead giants by 5 people. (that equals one per person)
Let scripture interpret scripture. Goliath (who fought David) Died once (but with two fatal blows - the final blow (cutting off his head) was not for good measure but it could be said as an example or symbolic, I think it was for a trophy for Israel showing Gods power and glory AGAINST the ungodly)
Now Goliaths sons would obviously hate the Jewish people would continue to battle with them (as we see in the content of scripture) until they too were put down.
Since it IS speaking here about the SONS of the Giant of Gath, and previously I stated that it was not uncommon to name their children after their fathers especially if the name was descriptive...ie, Goliath - Massive, Huge;
Then this would indicate there were actually two Goliaths, and the text ‘here’ is singling out (in 2 Sam) the son Goliath, as it is speaking of the sons. If it is not 4 sons (one named Goliath as well) then WHO killed the Giant of Gath, since all the other giants (the 4 sons) were killed by David’s servants? (especially since David is named among the slayers of these Giants)
What does scripture say about who killed who:
- David’s servant Abishai - Kills - Giant of Gaths son Ishbibenob
- Davids servant Sibbechai - Kills - Giant of Gaths son Saph
- David’s servant Elhanan - Kills - Giant of Gaths son Lahmi (Goliaths brother)
- David’s servant Jonathan - Kills - Giant of Gaths son (no name)
The fifth Giant OF Gath was Killed by David himself
Parallel verses (speaking of three of the sons of the giant of Gath) in I Chr 20: 1-5
However, since his (the Giant of Gath) sons features resemble both in size and features (fingers, toes) of a previously known giant who was in Gath, and since this Goliath is named as the brother of Lahmi. Also since each of these giants are described in vs 8 as the sons of the Giant of Gath, AND since it names FOUR names concerning these Giants (who are the sons of the Giant of Gath) A description also follows the third giant slain (who is the brother of Goliath) which we can see it goes directly into describing a third giant with no name SPECIFIED but can be implied from previous sentence. And again, since it is a story about the slayings of the SONS of Gath, and Four names are given we can infer and deduce from all the above the name of the third giant is Goliath - the SON OF the Giant of Gath who is ALSO named Goliath the one whom David slew.
- David - Kills - Goliath the Giant of Gath
I Sam 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath
2 Sam 21:16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. 18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. 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. 20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. 21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him. 22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
). But always bear in mind that the battles is the Lord's, so we must acknowledge God's providence which will make us equip, God's protection which will make us safe, God's power which will enable us to do His will, as David said 1 Samuel 17:47 "And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands."