DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN

Reading from 2 Samuel Ch. 23 vs 8-39

Are we the kind of people that get wrapped up in getting recognition or being known for the things we’ve done? I don’t think it’s wrong to want the credit for our efforts but sometimes it doesn’t come and I wonder how any of us handle that. Do you get angry or bitter? It seems valid, but I want to challenge you to not care about it so much, credit does come for efforts put in genuinely. When I look at this passage it makes me get humbled because some of these names we never ever heard of in the story of David and yet they did such mighty things. We obviously know David never fought alone and we often read of the reference to his men being great fighters, even in small numbers they’d defeat armies. We never knew their names but a time comes when each man gets credit or is acknowledged for their works and this passage was like the credit to the great men.

There was a hierarchy to the great men, the top three and then the thirty, the former did some amazing things and they really deserved that placing. Firstly we have the chief of the three who was Basshebeth and the man killed eight hundred men at one time. Then you have Eleazar who stayed when the men withdrew from fighting the philistines and he struck down the philistines till his hand was weary and clung to the sword and God brought about a great victory and the other men just returned to help strip the slain. Last of the three was Shammah who took his stand and fought against the philistines when the other men fled and he struck them down and God worked a great victory. When you think about the number of men these guys were killing on their own its exceptional for these weren’t like random guys, they were trained fighters and the three mighty men made them look like nothing. I love how yes we don’t hear much of these battles but God was working through the courage, skill and might of these men. It’s not only those with the very known names that God uses, even behind the scenes he does mighty things through the guys who seem unknown. I believe it’s about our willingness to give our very best even when no one will see or know of it.

The three really were courageous when you read the account, it mentions a time when they were in a stronghold and a band of philistines was encamped close by and David said he longs for water to drink from the well of/at Bethlehem. Now this particular well in Bethlehem was near a garrison of some philistines. The three actually went to get that water despite the band and garrison and they brought David the water to drink. He didn’t drink it but offered it to God because he didn’t want to drink that which others sacrificed their lives to get him. I appreciate this, like yes the sacrifice was great but even David just honouring the men’s efforts and courage and also just him not taking their actions for granted. Most times authorities don’t appreciate the work their subordinates do for them, I understand that they are paid to do the work but the consideration and appreciation makes a big difference.

Now there were other great men like Abishai who fought three hundred men and killed them and he won a name for himself and was made commander of the thirty and was most renowned among them. Then you have Benaiah who did great deeds, struck down two ariels of moab, killed a lion and also was skilful and killed an armed Egyptian man. He also won a name for himself and was put in charge of David’s body guard. I look at these two and think to myself about how you might not end up as the greatest in a particular setting but you can be really good and skilful at what you do and will be recognised for that. Sometimes the known name isn’t what should be focused on but rather what one actually can do. Think about our work places and communities, some people seem hidden and forgotten yet you know that if you had a particular issue they’d be the best to help for they are really good at that thing.

There were the other mighty men, two who had passed i.e. Asahel who was killed by Abner and Uriah the Hittite who was killed in the frontline as he was placed there by David because of the Bathsheba issue. But the others I will name for they deserve that honour for the efforts and fight they did for Israel and our God. Elhanan, Shammah, Elika, Helez, Ira, Abiezer, Mebunnai, Zalmmon, Maharai, Heleb, Ittai, Benaiah, Hiddai, Abi-albon, Azmaveth, Eliahba, The sons of Jashen, Jonathan, Shammah, Ahiam, Eliphelet, Eliam, Hezro, Paarai, Igal, Bani, Zelek, Naharai, The armor-baerer of Joab, Ira and Gareb, thirty seven in all.

It’s cool to just know like even when we speak of armies they are like a body made of many parts and those parts are men with skills and they matter. Every part is essential for the body to work well and I know some of these proved that they could fight alone but I’m sure they triumphed more when they put their great might together. Yes David was the anointed of God but these are the men who were loyal to him and fought courageously beside him despite not having their names spread or getting famous for it. I do know that the Israelites and the nations they fought knew of them and who to not provoke or who to stay away from. You might be in some congested field whatever the work you do but still do your best in what you do, you might not get the highest recognition but always do your part and get better at what you do always. Be known even in the background for your efforts and skills even if you never get the flowers or big name know that God can and is using you for something. You are part of the bigger picture and your input matters even without being known. Be faithful always and know that you are loved by Jesus!