Bible Runners And Goliath's Four Brothers

     Today's bible study will look at several bible runners in the Word of God and speak about Goliath's four brothers who were all born to a giant in Gath. Peter and John are our first bible runners pictured above who both ran to the tomb of Jesus to receive hope that the tomb was empty, rejoicing in Jesus' resurrection and victory over death. Mary Magdalene first ran to Peter and John telling them that the Lord Jesus had been taken out of the sepulchre or tomb.

     After hearing the good news, Peter and John both ran together to the tomb of Jesus. John outran Peter and came first to the tomb of Jesus, but did not go into the tomb. But, when Peter arrived at Jesus' tomb, Peter went into Jesus' tomb. Then John went into Jesus' tomb and seeing that Jesus had risen from the dead believed. As a result, Peter and John rejoiced and  proclaimed everywhere Jesus is risen, Jesus is risen, and lives forevermore.

     We find the story about Peter and John running to the tomb of Jesus at John 20:1 that says The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple (John), whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

     John 20:4 goes on to say So they ran both together, and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie. And the napkin that was about His head not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw and believed.

     Our second bible runner pictured above is Zacchaeus who ran to get saved and see Jesus by climbing up a sycomore tree because he was little of stature. I pray in Jesus name, all my friends reading this in any nation can be like Zacchaeus and run to Jesus for salvation by confessing Jesus as God and believing in their hearts that Jesus died for them and rose again. Sinners need to be like Zacchaeus and run to the nearest church altar and get saved as they make Jesus Lord of their lives.

     The story about how Zacchaeus ran to Jesus to be saved is at Luke 19:2 that says And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, who was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who He was, and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see Him, for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

     Our third bible runner pictured above is David who made haste and ran with the Lord Jesus to slay the giant Goliath for victory. Friends we all need to be like David and not run from the devil but at the devil with our Lord Jesus. James 4:7 gives us instructions on how to defeat the devil. James 4:7 says Submit yourselves therefore to God. (In other words, look with your heart constantly to Jesus crucified as God telling the devil each day I am crucified with Christ and the blood of Jesus has overcome and defeated you devil as you thank and praise Jesus for destroying all your fears and problems forevermore at the cross of calvary). Now look at the next part of this verse and what will occur after you submit to the Lord Jesus that says Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Don't run from the devil, walk daily with Jesus and the devil will run away from you.

     Proverbs 28:1 tells us The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion. Tell the devil according to the Word of God I ain't chasing you devil, but you run away anyhow. The bible scripture that tells us how David ran with the Lord Jesus to slay the giant Goliath for victory is at 1 Samuel 17:48 and says And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth.

     Friends, as you all look at above picture of five smooth stones, Brother Bob will tell you why David took five smooth stones to fight against the giant Goliath. David knew that Goliath had four giant brothers named Ishbibenob (defined as his dwelling is in Nob or a high place), Saph (defined as tall), Lahmi (defined as my bread), and a giant with 24 fingers and toes, believing that each of the five smooth stones would slay Goliath and his four giant brothers from Gath.

     Also note that David told Goliath that he fought against him in the name of the Lord believing that the name of his five smooth stones was JESUS, a letter for each smooth stone. Also note that David was smart for gathering five smooth stones because smooth stones are for straight shooting while flat stones swerve to the side.

     The bible records that Goliath and his four giant brothers were all sons of the same giant from Gath. The bible also tells us that all four of Goliath's giant brothers were slain. Ishbibenob was slain by Abishai and 2 Samuel 21:16 says And Ishbibenob which was of the sons of the giant the weight of whose spear weighed 300 shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David (defined as beloved). But Abishai (defined as My father is a gift) the son of Zeruiah (defined as balsam) succoured him and smote the Philistine and killed him.

     Next Saph was slain by Sibbechai and 2 Samuel 21:18 goes on to say And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob (defined as cistern); then Sibbechai (defined as weaver) the Hushathite (inhabitant of Hush or haste) slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. Next Lahmi was slain by Elhanan discussed below in two places of the bible at 2 Samuel 21:19 and 1 Chronicles 20:5 which states that Lahmi was Goliath's giant brother.

     2 Samuel 21:19 says And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan (defined as God has been gracious), the son of Jaareoregim (defined as forests of the weaver), a Bethlehemite (defined as house of bread), slew the brother of Goliath (defined as splendour), the Gittite (defined as belonging to Gath or a winepress), the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam (in other words his spear was huge and the size of the large wooden beam of a loom). 1 Chronicles 20:5 tells us that the giant killed by Elhanan was the brother of Goliath named Lahmi and says 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.

     Finally, Goliath's fourth giant brother who had a total of 24 fingers and toes, six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot was slain by Jonathan and 2 Samuel 21:20 says And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes; four and twenty in number, and he also was born to the giant. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan (defined as Jehovah has given) the son of Shimeah (defined as fame), the brother of David slew him

     Now take time to compare 1 Chronicles 20:5 with 2 Samuel 21:22 and you will find that since Lahmi was Goliath's brother, all four giants and Goliath were all the sons of one giant in Gath. 2 Samuel 21:22 says These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

     Our fourth bible runner pictured above is Philip who ran as a preacher to save a lost ethiopian eunuch. Friends reading this in any nation, let us all be like Philip and run to preach the message that Jesus is God, died on the cross, and rose again to sinners all over this earth. Everyone needs to wake up and run to sinners, telling them the gospel message of our Lord Jesus Christ before these sinners perish. Jesus said at Matthew 9:37 The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.

     The bible scripture where Philip ran to preach Jesus to a lost ethiopian sinner is at Acts 8:29 and says Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet, Esaias and said Understandest thou what thou readest? Acts 8:35 goes on to say Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

     Our fifth and final bible runner pictured above is the father of the prodigal son who ran to welcome his lost son home. When we as sinners take a step to the Lord Jesus, Jesus as God runs to us and saves us from our sins and gives us everlasting blessings. Notice that the prodigal son just walked to his father, but the father ran to bless his prodigal son. Friends everywhere learn a lesson from this story and as we all step to Jesus daily by faith, Jesus will run to us and bless us with peace, joy, and eternal life forevermore.

     The bible scripture where the father ran to bless his prodigal son is at Luke 15:20 and says And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Remember friends when we take a step to Jesus, Jesus runs to bless us. James 4:8 promises Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

     For my final picture above today we see a preacher who tried to use an educated spiritual horse named Pete to draw a crowd. After he brought Pete the horse into his church, the preacher told the people I want to introduce you to Pete the educated spiritual horse. The preacher told the church that Pete knew the bible better than some deacons and preachers. 

     The preacher asked Pete the horse, how many fish did the little boy give Jesus to feed the multitudes? Pete pawed 2 times. Then the preacher asked Pete how many loaves of bread did the little boy give Jesus to feed the multitudes? Pete pawed 5 times. Then the preacher asked Pete how many waterpots were there when Jesus turned the water into wine? Pete pawed 6 times. Then the preacher asked Pete how many disciples were there? Pete pawed 12 times. Then somebody yelled from the congregation, Hey Pete, how many hypocrites are in this church? And Pete started running all around the church.  

     I have truly enjoyed writing this bible study today and I pray in Jesus name it blesses all my friends everywhere with great peace and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day.