A battle in Gob - In the parallel passage (marginal reference), "Gezer" is named as the field of this battle. However, Gath is named 2 Samuel 21:20, 2 Samuel 21:22 in a way to make it probable that Gath was the scene of all the battles. The Septuagint in this verse has "Gath."

A battle - at Gob - Instead of Gob, several editions, and about forty of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., have Nob; but Gezer is the name in the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 20:4.

And it came to pass after this,.... After the former battle:

that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob; in 1 Chronicles 20:4 it is called Gezer; either the place had two names, or these two places were near each other; so that the battle may be said to be fought both at the one and at the other, being fought equally near to both:

then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant; who is called Sippai, 1 Chronicles 20:4; he had his name from the lintel of a door, being as high as one, so tall that he could scarce go under one. Sibbechai was one of David's worthies, 1 Chronicles 11:29; perhaps a descendant of Hushah, who sprung from Judah, 1 Chronicles 4:4.

(compare 1 Chronicles 20:4). In a second war, Sibbechai and Hushathite slew Saph the Rephaite at Gob. According to 1 Chronicles 27:11, Sibbechai, one of the gibborim of David (1 Chronicles 11:29), was the leader of the eighth division of the army (see at 2 Samuel 23:27). החשׁתי is a patronymic from חוּשׁה in 1 Chronicles 4:4. The scene of conflict is called Gob in our text, and Gezer in the Chronicles. As Gob is entirely unknown. Thenius supposes it to be a slip of the pen for Gezer; but this is improbable, for the simple reason that Gob occurs again in 2 Samuel 21:19. It may possibly have been a small place somewhere near to Gezer, which some suppose to have stood on the site of el Kubab, on the road from Ramleh to Yalo (see at Joshua 10:33). The name Saph is written Sippai in the Chronicles.

And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at {o} Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

(o) Called Gezer, and Saph is called Sippai, 1Ch 20:4.

21:18 After this - After the battle last mentioned.

the giant: or, Rapha

Saph: or, Sippai

21:15-22 These events seem to have taken place towards the end of David's reign. David fainted, but he did not flee, and God sent help in the time of need. In spiritual conflicts, even strong saints sometimes wax faint; then Satan attacks them furiously; but those who stand their ground and resist him, shall be relieved and made more than conquerors. Death is a Christian's last enemy, and a son of Anak; but through Him that triumphed for us, believers shall be more than conquerors at last, even over that enemy.