2 Samuel 21:16

The giant; so called by way of eminency. Or, of Rapha, a giant so called. The weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels: see 1 Samuel 17:5. With a new sword, or rather, with a new girdle or belt; for, first, This was the usual habit of soldiers, 1 Samuel 18:4 2 Samuel 18:11 1 Kings 2:5 Isaiah 5:27, and when it was of an extraordinary fashion and price, an ensign of dignity and command in the army, Ezekiel 23:15. So this may be mentioned to note that this was the first time either of his going out to fight, or of his advancement to some eminent place in the army; which made him desirous to signalize himself with some great action. Secondly, This supplement is more natural and usual, the word girdle being easily supplied from the word being girded; such ellipses of conjugate words being frequent in the Hebrew tongue, as Numbers 11:14 Psalms 76:12 Matthew 20:12. Thirdly, The newness of the sword seems to have no emphasis nor significancy for the present purpose, seeing an old and tried sword would seem more considerable for his encouragement than one new and unproved.