"Ten Thousand"

Narrator: Chris Genthree
1 Samuel 18:7; 2 Samuel 18:3; Song of Solomon 5:10; Revelation 5:11  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 11
“And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 18:77And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. (1 Samuel 18:7)).
The “ten thousands” slain here by David, in figure, suggest to our hearts the mighty power and victory that our blessed Lord Jesus has displayed over the enemy.
“But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succor us out of the city” (2 Sam. 18:33But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succor us out of the city. (2 Samuel 18:3)).
Here, the people’s refusing to allow their beloved king to go forth to battle against the enemy because David was worth “ten thousand” of them gives us a beautiful picture of the priceless value that Christ has to the redeemed soul.
“My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand” (Song of Sol. 5:1010My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. (Song of Solomon 5:10)).
The “chiefest among ten thousand” suggests the beauty and loveliness of the Lord Jesus—far above any other object—to the soul that loves Him.
“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Rev. 5:1111And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; (Revelation 5:11)).
Here we have the unlimited, eternal praise that He who is victorious, infinitely precious and lovely beyond description will receive for all eternity from redeemed hearts. No longer is it ten thousands, but rather a number is used by the Spirit to convey to our hearts that which is infinite and eternal.
Ed.