The NIV says Elhanan killed Goliath.

“In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod” (II Sam 21:19).

The NASV says Elhanan killed Goliath.

“And there was war with the Philistines again at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam” (II Sam 21:19).

The ESV says Elhanan killed Goliath.

“And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam” (II Sam 21:19).

Try other versions – Elhanan killed Goliath. Even try the Masoretic Hebrew text – Elhanan again. But they are wrong, for we know David killed Goliath, and Elhanan killed Goliath’s brother Lahmi (I Sam 17:50-51; I Chr 20:5).

Why do modern Bibles have such an obvious error? Translators love money more than God, so they copy each other’s errors to protect their jobs and keep new versions coming every year. This verse was correctly translated 400 years ago in the King James Version, but today’s translators would have to get a real job, if they endorsed the KJV.

Here is the King James Version:

“And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam” (II Sam 21:19).

The Lord blinded modern translators to expose their ignorance (I Cor 1:19-20; 3:19-20). And He providentially guided the KJV translators to give us this verse correctly, without errors or confusion. The KJV is consistent: David killed Goliath, and Elhanan killed Goliath’s brother Lahmi.

Peter said Scripture is “more sure” than God’s voice from heaven (II Pet 1:16-21), and this more sure Word of God is the King James Version. The versions with Elhanan killing Goliath in II Sam 21:19 are surely wrong!

Jesus said, “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). If your Bible was broken by this simple question about David and Goliath, you need to get rid of it, for the Lord has shown you that it is not Scripture.

Who killed Goliath in your Bible?