And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.
We have here an account of David's worthies, the great men of his time that served him and were preferred by him. The first edition of this catalogue we had, Sa2 23:8, etc. This is much the same, only that those named here from Ch1 11:41 to the end are added. Observe, I. The connexion of this catalogue with that which is said concerning David, Ch1 11:9. 1.
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 11:10-47
A CATALOGUE OF HIS WORTHIES. (1Ch. 11:10-47) These . . . are the chief of the mighty men--(See on Sa2 23:8). They are here described as those who held strongly with him (Margin) to make him king, &c. In these words the sacred historian assigns a reason for introducing the list of their names, immediately after his account of the election of David as king...
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 11:10-47
he went down--the ordinary phraseology for expressing an engagement in battle. The encounter of Benaiah with this gigantic Egyptian reminds us, in some respects, of David's combat with Goliath. At least, the height of this giant, which was about eight feet, and his armor, resembled his of Gath. with a staff--that is, having no other weapon in his hand than his walking stick.