2 Samuel 23
September 5, 2010
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The last words of David reflected he was still a man after God’s heart.
No matter what the circumstance he faced with,
he remained a faithful servant to God.
God told him,
“He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God” (2 Samuel 23:3).
A very pleasant scene describes one who fears God:
“And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain” (2 Samuel 23:4).
David was someone who feared God. Fear of God is not being scared of Him but respecting Him, obeying Him, and honouring Him as if He is here with us.
All he desired was salvation.
Sometimes in our pursuit in education, work, relationships, materialistic and other things of the world, we can become lost or busy, or simply forgetful.
Remembering that our desire too, is to seek salvation, to return home can become like a dream because we lose that sense of fear of God’s presence.
Sometimes it takes just a few words for God to remind us that He is there with us and always has been. He will continually remind us throughout our lives. He will shape us and mold us to become more like Him.
Life is only a temporary assignment.
Here’s a secret that the psalmist wrote about…
“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He shall show them His covenant” (Psalms 25:14).
The Mighty Men of David
David had many mighty men, 35 of them.
Some did much more than others,
But all were recorded in great detail.
However there were three that were very close to David.
These three mighty men were close enough to hear the desire’s of David.
Their commitment to take David’s wishes as their command was motivated by much love and zeal.
Moreover these men were full of courage.
Name: Adino the Eznite.
Position: Chief among the captains. First of David’s three men.
Weapon: Spear.
Strength: Killed eight hundred at one time. Faced impossible odds. Victorious.
Power: Lord God Almighty.
When all seems impossible, remember nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
He will give us strength and He will bless us with peace (Psalms 29:11).
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Name: Eleazar Son of Dodo.
Position: Second in command of the three mighty men. Commands over 24 000 soldiers (1 Chron 27:4).
Weapon: Sword.
Strength: Attacked Philistines until his hand was weary and his hand stuck to his sword. He defied enemies when others fled. Offensive Attacks. Victorious.
Power: Lord God Almighty.
When circumstances seem against us, and we grow tired and weary, it may be in divine works, our jobs, our education, and our lives, remember to fight on. It will be worth it if God is in our plans, and we place Him first in our lives.
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Name: Shammah Son of Agee.
Position: The third of David’s three mighty men.
Weapon: Variety.
Strength: Defensive Attacks. Stood his ground in the midst of battle. Victorious.
Power: Lord God Almighty.
Shammah was protecting his land, as we should be protecting this land in our hearts which is our inheritance from God (John 10:10). Everyday the devil seeks to take this land from us with distractions and temptations, but we can stand firm in our faith if we continue to fear Him and keep His commands.
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What does your profile look like? What can you change, improve or add?
My Profile
Name:
Position:
Weapon:
Strength:
Power:
I first read this bible blog posting on Sat night after attending the first session of the REU Teachers’s Retreat and I could not help reflecting that truly we need more mighty men like what David had…. To serve the Lord of Lord in taking care of His little ones.
This view was reinforced after the Sunday’s lessons and last nite’s Counsellor Training.
I have been teaching RE classes for a long time but must admit that many a times I still feel very inadequate in my teaching and wonder if I should be doing this.
Last nite we discussed about how difficult it was for most of us to connect with the teenagers and be their significant other. It seems an impossible task and no one really had answers of how to go ahead.
But when I read appleofHiseye’s points about the 3 mighty men of David, it reminded me that as RE teachers, we must also be like them…
To be like Adino and do the impossible with God by His side.
To be like Eleazar to fight on despite being weary… Because the flock of the Lord is worth it.
To be like Shammah to defend the children under our charge aginst the attacks of the evil one and to be able to present them complete before the Lord when He comes again.
What does my profile look like? Nothing like the mighty 3 at the moment but I do hope one day others will be able to write something similar about me
May God help us all.
Uriah the Hittite was one of the thirty-seven mighty men of David! (2 Sam 23:38). How could David commit adultery with his wife?!
Don’t really understand how could David still say in 2 Sam 22: 21 that “the LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me”, when he jolly well remembered the adultery.
Was David still righteous and clean?
Reading 2 Sam 22:23-25 again helped:
For all His judgements were before me;
And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them.
David: The LORD is a righteous God. His judgement on me and my family is just.
I was also blameless before Him,
And I kept myself from my iniquity.
David: i prayed and confessed my sin to God (1 John 1:9). He is faithful and just to forgive me my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. i did not commit the sin again. i kept myself from the iniquity.
Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness,
According to my cleanness in His eyes.
David: Although my house is not so with God, Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things and secure (2 Sam 23:5).
Yes, God is the order and security in all things.
Lord Jesus has given us an everlasting covenant:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:15)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Lord Jesus has issued His order.
Go and do to secure the everlasting life.