THE MIGHTY MAN

NOTE: To all my readers…I am currently in Kuwait and am awaiting my flight to my new assignment. Please bear with me during this trip as I adjust to new time zones and surroundings. I am currently 7 hours ahead of EST but intend to continue writing every day while sharing the words the Lord places on my heart. Please keep Grace and I in prayer as we endure yet another separation…our final one before I retire. God bless all of you and thanks for your faithful readership and comments. In Christ, Mark

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

These are the names of David's mighty men:

Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.

Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.

During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. "Far be it from me, O Lord, to do this!" he said. "Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?" And David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

Among the Thirty were:

Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash, Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
the sons of Jashen, Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, the son of Hagri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite,
Gareb the Ithrite and Uriah the Hittite.

There were thirty-seven in all.

2 Samuel 23:8-39

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

As anyone studies history, they will read about the exploits of men and women that made a difference. For it seems that there is always some who stand out from the masses…those who deserve distinguished recognition.

As Chapter 23 of 2nd Samuel concludes, we see this take place in the documentation of “David's mighty men”.

We read about Josheb-Basshebeth who was “chief of the Three”, raising “his spear against eight hundred men” who he “killed in one encounter”.

We read about Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite who was with David as they “taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle”, standing his ground while striking down the Philistines “till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword”.

We read about Shammah who took a stand in the middle of a fields as Israel’s troops fled before defending the ground and striking the Philistines down.

We read about Abishai who “raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed” and became a commander.

We read about Benaiah, a “valiant fighter…who performed great exploits” as he “struck down two of Moab's best men”. Scripture tells us he “also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion” as well as a “huge Egyptian” who he killed with the Egyptian’s own spear. His efforts led to David putting him in charge of his bodyguard.

Indeed, this passage gives us an account of many brave warriors in David’s time. It also though gives full credit where credit is due. For no matter how many mighty men David had at his disposal, none were as important as THE mighty Man…the Lord.

We see this mentioned in the scripture passage twice as the Lord is attributed to have brought about great victory to Eleazar and Shammah. In truth, it could of and should have been attributed to every man listed. For no victory is attained while completing the Lord’s purpose without the Lord ensuring that victory happens. Not then…not now…not in the future.

The Lord is THE mighty Man…and the One who should always be given the honor, glory and praise as He brings about victories in the lives of His people.

Question: Have you been blessed with victories in life? Have you been used in ways that have led to victorious events?

If so, who have you attributed credit for those victories?

To others?

To yourself?

Or have you given credit in the only place where credit is truly due…to the Lord through which all victories are ordained and accomplished as he works through the lives of His people. To a Lord who gave His only Son to die on the cross of Calvary to not only defeat sin but then death after His resurrection…His victory over the grave paving the way for all of us to follow if we only believe and trust Him as our Savior.

Friends, indeed we serve THE mighty Man…THE One who brings about all victories in life.

Have you thanked Him for this today?

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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