2 Samuel 21:15-22

( 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 ) .—

Giants: a sermon to young people.

"As for these four, they were born to the giant ( Ha-rapha ) in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants" ( 2 Samuel 21:22 ). Of the age before the Flood it is said, "In those days were the giants [ Nephilim, men of lofty stature and ferocious character] upon the earth" ( Genesis 6:4 ; Numbers 13:32 , Numbers 13:33 ). At a subsequent period there was a like formidable race called Rephaim ( Genesis 14:5 ; Genesis 15:20 ), to which belonged the Emim, the Zuzim (Zamzummim), and the Anakim ( Deuteronomy 2:10 , Deuteronomy 2:11 , Deuteronomy 2:20 , Deuteronomy 2:21 ; Deuteronomy 9:2 ). One of this race, of extraordinary stature, was Og, King of Bashan ( Deuteronomy 3:10 ; Joshua 12:4 ). Others, more recently, dwelt among the Philistines ( Joshua 11:12 ), like Goliath ( 1 Samuel 17:4-11 ) 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. And 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 such as appear in any bodily form; but, nevertheless, real, powerful, and terrible giants, aptly represented by "these four" slain by David and his heroes.

I. THEY 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, amidst all the conflicts and changes of mankind, has continued to this day.

2 . An ungodly family. None of its members believe in the living and true God or obey his commandments; yet they have many gods ( 1 Samuel 17:43 ).

3 . A selfish family. They all seek their own, and often contend against one another.

4 . A numerous, mighty, and destructive family. They have their walled cities and strongholds, defy the armies of the living God ( 2 Samuel 21:21 ), and sometimes terrify them ( 1 Samuel 17:1-11 ) by their imposing appearance and evil doings ( Psalms 14:1-3 ; Romans 3:10-18 ). What is this giant Family? You have doubtless already discovered that it consists of sins, vices, and wickedness of all kinds.

II. THEY ARE KNOWN BY VARIOUS NAMES . Here are long lists of them ( Matthew 15:19 ; Galatians 5:19-21 ; Colossians 3:5-9 ). But notice especially these four:

III. THEY MUST BE FOUGHT AGAINST AND OVERCOME ; in their onslaught upon ourselves and others. If we do not conquer them, they will conquer us. And we can conquer them only by:

1 . Faithfully following "the Captain of our salvation;" obeying his commands, and depending on his might.

2 . Incessant vigilance and firm resistance.

3 . Ever renewed and courageous effort.

4 . Confident assurance of victory, inspired by many promises, the presence of our Divine Leader, and the success which has been already achieved. "These conflicts of David's servants are typical of the spiritual combats of Christ's soldiers with the family of the evil one" (Wordsworth). "Fight the good fight of faith" ( 1 Timothy 6:12 ; 1 Samuel 13:1-7 ; 1 Samuel 14:1-15 ).—D.