David's Mighty Men: A Tribute to 21st Century Christian LaymenFOREWORD Every man who is a success, regardless of how gifted he may be, did not manage to achieve his goals, rank, station or wealth by his own efforts, but he is indebted to a number of key persons in his life without whose mentoring, support, and encouragement he would quite likely have been a miserable failure! * * * KING DAVID of Israel was surrounded by a magnificent corps of extraordinarily strong, courageous, unflinchingly brave and self-sacrificing men who were his confidants, his personal bodyguard, and comrades-at-arms. They were the special elite corps of fearless warriors whose devotion to their king placed his welfare and that of his kingdom above their own personal safety every one of these champions would gladly have sacrificed his own life to honor, advance and protect the life of their king. The annals of Holy Scripture single them out by the accolade that marks them as David's Mighty Men. Their names are recorded in the Hebrew Old Testament book of II Samuel, chapter 23, verses 8-39. They were thirty-seven of the most fierce and dedicated warriors that ever lived. In a parallel list of these men which is recorded in I Chronicles 11:11-47, the number of warriors is expanded by 16 names (I Ch. 11:41-47), probably because additional men were added to replace those who had died, some in battle, giving their lives for their king. They were truly men of extraordinary valor, physical might and unwavering loyalty. They were a combination of "combat commandos," "stealth rangers," "navy seals," "green beret," "special ops" and "Delta forces" who had acquired the skills of battle demanded to survive and conquer in hand-to-hand warfare. They engaged in clandestine operations and were often outnumbered by staggering odds pitted against them, yet they stood their ground. Time after time on fields of battle they were "the last men standing." They defended their king and gained victory over their enemies by sheer strength of determination and by the inexplicable physical and mental character with which they were endowed by their God, Yahweh, Who Himself had chosen David as their king. "These are the names of David's Mighty Men: "Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was the chief . . . he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. "Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite . . . he was with David when they taunted the Philistines that were gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. 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. "Shammah son of Agee the Harrarite. When the Philistines banded together . . . Israel's troops fled from them. But Shamma 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. "Abishai the brother of Joab . . . he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed. "Benaiah son of Jehoida was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel . . . 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. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard." Abishai, Benaiah and another warrior risked their lives to break through the lines of the Philistines and draw water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem to bring back to David a drink from that well. Although he longed to taste that water, David poured it out as an offering unto the Lord rather than to drink water for which his loyal and devoted warriors risked their lives. There were also among David's Mighty Men the following warriors: "Ashel the brother of Joab, Elhanan so |
