David’s Mighty Men I Sam. 23:1, and 8-22
Introduction
Read Vs. 1
There are few men in the Bible that attract our attention as much as David. He is mentioned more than any other man in the Bible except Jesus.
From the time that Goliath’s body hits the ground, until he was anointed King and his time of rejection as king and then when he became King. What a man of God he was.
He is the only man in the Word of God who is called: “A man after God’s own heart.”
The Bible tells us as Christians that the things written the OT were written for our example.
I believe that God wants us to examine this man’s life.
Read Vs. 8
Whenever God raises up a man to do a work, He always raises up “Mighty Men” to help do that work. Anywhere you find the “work of God” being done, you will always find this principle to be true.
These mighty men were mighty in Valor, mighty in Faith, and anointed with the power of God. They were not afraid to Risk and to sacrifice. They offered their lives on the altar of the king. Why? LOVE They loved the King.
These Mighty Men show us what our proper relationship ought to be with the Lord as his followers and soldiers.
In this passage in II Samuel 23 we will notice some “stories.” It is the end of David’s life and reign as King and it is as if he is reflecting back over his life. He reflects back over his life and the great men that God had sent his way.
Adino – A man who was outnumbered in battle 800 to one.
Eleazar – A man with a sword
Shammah – He stood when others fled
Abishai – The man who came to the aid of his king.
Beniah – A soldier like no other.
Each of the Mighty Men and their exploits have a spiritual lesson to teach us.
In those day Honor came in doing exploits for the King.
Today Honor comes in serving our Lord – Jesus.
#1 – Adino – He was outnumbered 800 to one. Vs. 8
How does one man with a spear defeat 800 men at one time?
What kind of a man was he?
1. He was a man who didn’t give up when he was outnumbered.
2. He was a man of courage. He didn’t turn and run.
His courage and his strength came from God.
I believe that today as soldiers of the King that our strength come from God. From being Spirit filled, committed Christians. Our enemies are spiritual enemies. We do battle against Satan and his ranks.
#2 – Eleazar – A man with a Sword. Vs. 9,10
He was one with his sword. Today we have a sword, are we one with it.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The greatest weapon we have is this Book.
#3 – Shammah – He stood when others fled. Vs. 11,12
He risk his life for a “Pea Patch.” Everyone else fled but he stood his ground and fought. He wasn’t affected by what everybody else did. He stood.
We often get our eyes on others and get discouraged. Shammah didn’t care if he was the only one that cared. He was going to do what was right.
Why did he fight? It was only a patch of beans.
That patch of beans belonged to the King. The enemy of his King was coming to rob and to plunder. His Kings honor was at stake. The people needed the food.
Remember, they fought physical enemies in the OT. We fight Spiritual enemies’
Eph 6:10-12
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
What else do we Know of these 3 Mighty Men?
#4. A Cup of Water for the King – Vs. 13-17
Were they commanded by David to get the cup of water? NO
Were they compelled by duty to get the cup of water? NO
They went because they loved their King.
They loved David so much that they were willing to risk their own lives because He had only thought of the water. WHY? Why were they so loyal?
Lets look back at the WHY. I Samuel 22:1,2
There were three classes of these men who came to David in his rejection as King.
1. There were those who came in Distress. The were persecuted by Saul
2. There were those who were in Debt and about to be sold into slavery.
3. There were those who were discontented and unhappy with what life had to offer.
Life had not been good to them.
Everyone of us sitting here today is in the same boat. We are in distress, in a hopeless life, and with a debt we cannot pay. Aren’t you glad that Jesus paid our debt and gave us hope in a hopeless world.
#5. Abishai – The man who came to the aid of the King. Vs. 18
2 Sam 21:15-17
15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
16 And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
He was more concerned with the King than with himself.
#6. Beniah – No Ordinary Soldier. Vs. 20-22
He was in charge of David’s personal bodyguard. He was no ordinary soldier.
1. He struck down two of Moab’s fiercest Men.
2. He went down into a pit in a snowy day and killed a Lion.
3.He struck down a huge Egyptian (over 7 feet tall) although the Egyptian had a spear and he only had a club.
He met the worst of enemies,
In the worst of places,
Under the worst of conditions,
and he won.
Beniah was a loyal Servant of the King. No matter what situation he found himself in, he proved himself Loyal.
1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in
the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Conclusion
There were a lot of men in David’s army. What made these men stand out. What was it that made them different than the rest.
All of these Mighty men had one thing in common. They loved the king. They loved him more that their own lives. They were willing to risk and to sacrifice.
God has always had his few.
Gideon – David – Jesus
Jesus had his 120 – the 40 – the 12 – the 3 (Peter, James, and John) – and the 1 (John).
I want to be one of the few – don’t you. Are you satisfied with just being a Christian? Wouldn’t you rather be a soldier on the front line for your Savior.
These mighty men were a picture of the Spirit –filled believer.
The Times in which these men lived was:
A Time of Great Conflict. – The enemy was out to destroy
A Time of Great Courage. – The enemies greatest weapon was fear.
A Time of Great Victory. – Thru these men God defeated the enemy.
Hymn 388 – Am I A Soldier Of The Cross
