2 Samuel 23 – 2019-02-07
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2 Samuel 23:13-39 (ESV)13 And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, when a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. 15 And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” 16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the Lord 17 and said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.
18 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three. 19 He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three.
20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 21 And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and won a name beside the three mighty men. 23 He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard.
24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 Shammah of Harod, Elika of Harod, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa, 27 Abiezer of Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai of Netophah, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah of Netophah, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah of Pirathon, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Bahurim, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai of Maacah, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezro of Carmel, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
Reflection & Application:
2 Samuel 23:14-17
“This story is retold here to give readers insight into the caliber of men with whom David surrounded himself. They treated his wish almost as a command and risked their lives fighting their way through the Philistine garrison in order to bring their leader a drink from the well (v.16). Although their names are not given, they have modeled for succeeding generations a kind of enthusiastic, loving self-forgetfulness in relationship with others. …this is the kind of thinking that Christ needs from each of His children, that His slightest wish would be considered by us to be a command that we would joyfully do whatever the cost…” [1]
- What are the characteristics of the “mighty men” shown by this exploit? What does this show about their relationship with David, their commander?
- How can I exhibit these same characteristics in my relationship with God?
- What can I learn from David about what he does with the precious gift brought to him by the three men?
2 Samuel 23:8-39
“While the names on the list mean little to today’s readers it should serve as a reminder that every movement, whether it is the building of a nation or a church, is dependent upon a host of loyal, faithful people who give themselves unselfishly. Often history lifts up the names of the leaders and tends to forget the faithful followers. Like the historian, we should preserve the names of God’s mighty men and women.” [2]
- Who are the “mighty men” that God has placed in my life, without whom I would not be where I am today in my experience of God’s promises to me?
- What were the backgrounds and humble beginnings of these mighty men who followed David?
- What hope can this give me?
[1] Kenneth Chafin, Mastering the Old Testament: 1 & 2 Samuel (Dallas, London, Vancouver, Melbourne: Word Publishing, 1989) 393.
[2] Kenneth Chafin, Mastering the Old Testament: 1 & 2 Samuel (Dallas, London, Vancouver, Melbourne: Word Publishing, 1989) 393.
Prayer