Ishbi-benob

Ishbi-benob (meaning my seat at Nob or respiration; conversion) was one of the Rephaim — the race of giant warriors — who confronted David in battle late in his reign (2 Samuel 21:16–17). He bore a new bronze spear weighing three hundred shekels and was girded with a new sword, and he sought to kill David. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue and killed Ishbi-benob. The incident prompted David's commanders to swear that he would no longer go out with them to battle, for fear that the light of Israel would be extinguished.

Ishbi-benob is one of four descendants of the giant (Rapha) in Gath whose deaths at the hands of David's warriors are recorded in 2 Samuel 21:15–22 — a passage that closes the narrative of the Philistine wars and represents the final victories of David's military career. The Rephaim, or giants, appear throughout the conquest narratives as the aboriginal warrior-race of Canaan whose continued presence posed a physical threat to Israel long after the main campaigns.