2Sa 21:18 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.

There were more battles with the Philistines (v.15-22). David was old and did not have the strength and vigour he once had. He was almost killed by a giant. Abishai came to his rescue and killed the Philistine. The soldiers were concerned for David’s health and persuaded him not to go out to battle anymore. David could leave the slaying of giants to them. In all, four giants were killed by David’s brave soldiers. Four giants slain by David’s men! Unbelievable! Since when did Israel not afraid of giants? Back in the wilderness when the spies came back and reported that the sons of Anak were giants, the people trembled. Those giants prevented them from entering the Promised Land. They were saying to Moses: “Never mind that the land is a good land that flowed with milk and honey, but since the giants are there, we are not going.” (Quote, mine). That fear of giants resurfaced in 1 Samuel 17 when they met Goliath. Goliath challenged Israel to send out a man to fight him. None came forward. They fled when they saw Goliath. David came and he slew Goliath. David proved to Israel that giants are not invincible. By one act, he showed Israel they too can defeat giants. David’s victory opened their eyes and removed their fear of giants. Today, we see David’s generals slaying giants. David sets the stage for giant slaying. Fear causes stagnation. Twice in Israel’s history, they refused to take chances when they encountered giants because they thought it was mission impossible. It took one young boy called David to prove them wrong. When David killed Goliath, it opened up their minds and they saw light. They were no longer afraid of giants. Faith can make the impossible possible. For many years, people believed no one could conquer Mount Everest. Well, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first men to reach the top of Mount Everest, at 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953. By the 50th anniversary of the ascent in May 2003 over 1,300 people had reached the summit of the roof of the world. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay set the stage for conquering Everest. We all know what it's like to face a challenge that seems impossible to conquer. But, we can be assured that we are not the first; many had them and some probably worse that what we are experiencing, and they have conquered those challenges. Their victories give us courage to endure knowing we can win too: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9). God brings giants, storms and challenges to us not because He wants us to suffer but so that we will grow in our character and in our faith in Him (Romans 5:3-5). We have an example in David how he defeated giants; we can do likewise. We will encourage others by our fearless action. How can we defeat giants? 1. Face It. While Israel fled when they saw the giant Goliath, David went out to face him (1 Samuel 17:24, 40). Likewise, one way to defeat giants (our fear) is to face them: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9). 2. Don’t Listen To Negative Words. David’s brother thought he was insignificant and good only for looking after sheep while Saul said he was too young and couldn’t do it (1 Samuel 17:28, 33). David ignored those negative remarks and proved them wrong. Similarly, to succeed, we must ignore the negative and discouraging words of others. 3. Choose Your Weapon Wisely. David rejected the armour given by Saul and chose his own – a sling and five small stones. He knew Goliath was too tall for him to reach his heart; but stones fly high. The word of God is our greatest weapon: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). You are not alone; many have made it and conquered giants. You can do the same!