Little Things and Great
W. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai… How small and insignificant in our esteem are the physical peculiarities of these "children of the giant"! How little we care to treasure their names and deeds in our memories! They probably thought much of themselves, and were made much of by their contemporaries; but they have sunk into entire insignificance now. We feel that - I. DISTINCTION BASED ON BODILY PECULIARITY IS OF LITTLE WORTH. Great stature makes its possessor conspicuous among his fellows, if that be a desirable thing; great muscular strength serves in good stead on those rare occasions when a man has to resist by physical force. Unusual beauty of countenance attracts the eye and wins the admiration of the opposite sex. But these visible specialities have their drawbacks, if not their evils. The first of these often secures a most undesirable and even painful notoriety; the second tempts to acts of violence which are regrettable; the last exposes to peculiar perils of its own. And how speedily they perish! In this war with the Philistines these giants "were subdued" (ver. 4). Lahmi's great spear did not save him from the skill of Elhanan (ver. 5); nor the immense stature of the giant with twenty-four fingers and toes, from the courage and capacity of Jonathan (vers. 6, 7). "They fell by the hand ... of David's servants" (ver. 8). Mere size of body, mere power of muscle, mere skill of fence, and even beauty of face and charm of manner, - all these are either overmatched with something that is stronger, or they soon fade and fall under the resistless ravages of time. And when they pass, how soon they are forgotten! We hardly recognize some of these names; or, if we remember them, we associate them with other men who bore them, but were distinguished by other and nobler features. The next generation will care little for those who have nothing better to claim than great strength, or commanding stature, or some other bodily peculiarity. On the other hand, we feel that - II. DISTINCTION BASED ON SPIRITUAL WORTH IS A DESIRABLE EXCELLENCY. 1. Mental strength, when gained by diligent self-culture and devoted to useful ends, enjoys a more lasting honour and effects a far greater good. 2. But spiritual worth is the most valuable acquisition; that is the true greatness of man. (1) It raises him highest in the scale of being. (2) It renders nobler and truer service. (3) It yields a finer fragrance in grateful recollection (Proverbs 10:7). (4) It lives on to distant generations in benignant influence. The "good men do" is not "interred with their bones;" it lives and blossoms, and bears precious fruit in the hearts and lives of men. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued. WEB: It happened after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued.