In the shadow of King David’s legendary victory over Goliath, the biblical record preserves the deeds of other “mighty men” who faced the remnants of the giants. Among these warriors stands Elhanan, a man whose name means “God has been gracious.” His inclusion in the scriptures highlights the fact that while David was the leader, he was surrounded by men of equal courage who fought to rid the land of the enemies of Israel.
The Son of Jair
There are two primary mentions of Elhanan in the Old Testament, which most scholars believe refer to the same valiant warrior. He was the son of Jair (or Jaare-oregim) and hailed from Bethlehem, the same hometown as David.
“And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Beth-lehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.” (2 Samuel 21:19, KJV)
The Slayer of the Giant’s Brother
Elhanan’s most notable achievement was the slaying of Lahmi, the brother of Goliath. Like Goliath, Lahmi was of the race of the giants (the Rephaim) in Gath. The description of Lahmi’s weapon—a spear with a staff like a “weaver’s beam”—emphasizes the massive physical stature and intimidating power of the foe Elhanan faced.
In the parallel account in Chronicles, the identity of his opponent is even more specific:
“And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.” (1 Chronicles 20:5, KJV)
One of the Thirty
Elhanan was not merely a soldier; he was a member of David’s elite military order known as “The Thirty.” These were the most distinguished warriors in the kingdom, recognized for their extraordinary feats of bravery and their unwavering loyalty to the Lord’s anointed king.
“Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem,” (2 Samuel 23:24, KJV)
(Note: There is some discussion among commentators whether Elhanan the son of Jair and Elhanan the son of Dodo are the same person or two Bethlehemite heroes. Given the small size of Bethlehem and the prominence of the name, many believe they are the same individual, with ‘Dodo’ and ‘Jair’ being different ancestral identifiers.)
The Spiritual Significance of Elhanan
The story of Elhanan provides a vital perspective on the battles of Israel:
- The War Against the Giants Continued: David’s victory over Goliath was the beginning, not the end. Men like Elhanan were required to finish the work of clearing the land of the Anakim and Rephaim.
- The Grace of Shared Victory: While David received the songs of the women (“David his ten thousands”), the Bible meticulously records the names of men like Elhanan to show that God uses a “body” of believers, each performing great exploits by His grace.
- Courage in the Face of the Enormous: Elhanan did not flee from the “weaver’s beam.” He trusted in the same God who delivered David, proving that the victory over giants was not a “one-time miracle” but a reality available to all who fought in the name of the Lord.
Elhanan’s life reminds us that God has “been gracious” (as his name implies) by giving us companions in the fight. We do not stand alone against the giants of our day; we stand in a long line of “mighty men” who found God’s strength sufficient for the battle.