1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 20: The giants of Gath fall

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how the giants of Gath fell, let us pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that Jesus will put every enemy under His feet, and to lead us to Him.

For you have armed me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

Psalm 18:39

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us how the giants fell to David and his servants, and show us Jesus, who defeated sin and death. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

At the time kings go out to war, Joab led the army against Rabbah, but David stayed at Jerusalem (verse 1). Joab overthrew Rabbah, and David took the crown from the king's head, which weighed a talent of gold (verse 2). He brought out the people of the city and had them cut with saws, iron picks and axes (verse 3). Later there was war with the Philistines, and Sibbecai killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant (verse 4). Elhanan killed Goliath's brother, and Jonathan, David's nephew, killed a giant with six fingers on each hand (verses 5 to 7). All of these giants fell by the hand of David and his servants (verse 8).

As you read 1 Chronicles 20, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The giants of Gath fell to David and his servants, and Jesus will put every enemy under His feet.

Joab led the army against Rabbah, but David stayed at Jerusalem (verse 1). Chronicles does not tell what David did there, but Second Samuel does (2 Samuel 11 verses 1 to 4). The chapter turns to the Philistines, and the giants of Gath fall to David's men (verses 4 to 8). The text says the giants “were subdued” (verse 4), and that they fell by the hand of David and his servants (verse 8). The text does not say the LORD did it, but it fits His promise to subdue David's enemies (1 Chronicles 17 verse 10). This matters, because it shows that the king's enemies fell, even the giants. Yet the last enemy of God's people is death. Jesus is the Son of David, and He will put all His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15 verses 25 and 26).

How does 1 Chronicles 20 show us that the giants of Gath fell to David and his servants, and that Jesus will put every enemy under His feet?

David stayed at Jerusalem, and Joab took Rabbah.

Joab led the army and besieged Rabbah, and David stayed at Jerusalem (verse 1). Joab overthrew the city (verse 1). David took the crown from the king's head, and it was set on David's head (verse 2).

The giants of Gath fell by the hand of David and his servants.

Sibbecai killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant, and the Philistines were subdued (verse 4). Elhanan killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath (verse 5). Jonathan, David's nephew, killed a giant with six fingers on each hand (verses 6 and 7). They fell by the hand of David and his servants (verse 8).

Jesus has beaten every enemy of His people, even death.

The giants fell to David's men (verse 8), but the last enemy of God's people is death. Paul wrote that Jesus must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15 verse 25). The last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15 verse 26). Jesus rose from the dead, and death has no power over Him (Romans 6 verse 9).

Memorise

These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

1 Chronicles 20:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what enemy do I fear, and do I trust Jesus, who defeated sin and death?

The sons of the giant were “subdued,” and they fell “by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.” Jesus is the Son of David who defeated the greatest enemies of all, sin and death.

Our greatest enemies are sin and death, and we cannot defeat them. Jesus took the sin of His people on Himself at the cross and bore the punishment for it, and His death paid for it in full. He rose on the third day, and death could not keep its hold on Him.

So come to the Conqueror. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Anyone who trusts Him is forgiven, and has nothing to fear from the last enemy.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the giants of Gath fell to David and his servants, and that Jesus has defeated sin and death. Parents, please read verse 3 first and explain it in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that Jesus defeated sin and death, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.

1 John 5:4

Lord God, thank You that the giants of Gath fell to David and his servants, and that Jesus has defeated sin and death. Please turn each of us from sin, and help us to trust Him. Help us not to fear this week. Amen.