David Faints in Battle

Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. —2 Samuel 21:15

It is hard to place the timing of 2 Samuel 21:15–22 into the chronology of other events in the life of David. It probably took place after David had been on the throne for some time. It was customary for a king to take the field of battle with his men.

For example, David did not go up against the city of Rabbah until the last moment when victory was assured and he was summoned by Joab to be present during the surrender (2 Samuel 12:26–31). Sometime later, at the urging of his men, David did not expose himself during the battle with Absalom’s men. They feared for his safety.

If David were killed, their cause would be lost (2 Samuel 18:3).

During this era, personal combat was expected of a king.

Kings did not send men into places they themselves would not go.

Saul had fallen in combat against the Philistines.

But in the war with the Philistines in 2 Samuel 21:15–22, David was putting himself needlessly in harm’s way. He had nothing to prove when it came to valor.

He was a warrior-king. As a strategist, he was second to none.

The men surrounding him were handpicked for their courage and valor. His captains possessed vast military experience. The rank and file willingly followed these leaders into battle, confident of victory. With God on the side of Israel, surely they could not fail.

There was no reason then for David to continue placing his life in jeopardy.

Nor was there any reason to face the tallest and fiercest warrior on the opposing side in hand-to-hand combat. Here, however, we see David once again taking the field against the Philistines. The Philistine giant Ishbi-benob, wielding a spear weighing seven pounds and a new sword, appeared to have defeated David in personal combat.

Seeing this, Abishai came to David’s aid. Standing over his prostrate king, he killed the giant in mortal combat. Such a close call was clearly one too many for the men of David’s army. “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” (2 Samuel 21:17).

Wisdom is often the better part of valor.