שמואל ב, פרק כ״א, פסוק ט״ז

In the midst of a grueling and exhausting battle, King David found himself completely worn out. Recognizing the king's sudden vulnerability, a massive, unwearied enemy stepped forward, determined to strike him down.

The primary approach among commentators is that this warrior was named after the Philistine city of Nob, where he lived [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, a Midrashic perspective suggests his name carries a deeper meaning. It served as a reminder of the spiritual danger David faced. According to this view, the giant appeared as a heavenly punishment because David was indirectly responsible for the tragic deaths of the priests in the city of Nob [רד״ק, חומת אנך]. This fearsome fighter was a descendant of the ancient giants [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ], with another tradition specifically tracing his lineage back to Orpah the Moabite [מנחת שי, רד״ק].

The sheer size of the giant was matched by his extraordinary weaponry. His equipment was exceptionally heavy, though commentators offer different views on exactly which part of his gear was being measured. Some explain that the copper spearhead alone weighed three hundred shekels, an enormous burden of roughly sixty kilograms [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others suggest that the heavy wooden shaft of the spear itself was equal in weight to three hundred pieces of copper [אברבנאל, רד״ק]. An alternative explanation proposes that the heavy object was a hollow socket connecting the wooden pole to the blade, or perhaps a massive copper helmet resting on his head [רש״י, רלב״ג].

Adding to his terrifying presence, the giant was outfitted with new gear, generally understood to be a new sword or a fresh battle belt [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Commentators highlight the psychological significance of this detail. This was the giant's first day on the battlefield as a warrior. As is common with inexperienced fighters equipped with new weapons, he was eager to prove his bravery and was prepared to push himself to the absolute limit to make a name for himself [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Driven by this intense desire for glory and noticing the extreme exhaustion of the Israelite king, the giant calculated his move and fully intended to kill David [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל].

David was rescued from this life-threatening peril only through the timely intervention of Abishai son of Zeruiah, who successfully shattered the giant's plan. This terrifying close call had a lasting impact on the nation. It prompted David's men to make a solemn vow that their king would never again join them on the front lines, ensuring that the guiding light of the Israelites would not be put out [מלבי״ם, רד״ק].