A Meditation on David’s Mighty Men
As Christians we must get our principles from the New Testament, for truth relevant to believers in this dispensation is properly found there. But many times we find these principles and truths illustrated for us in the Old Testament and light given as to their practical application.
Judgment Seat of Christ—Christian Truth
One of the cardinal truths given to us in the New Testament is the judgment seat of Christ for believers. We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” Also, in Romans 14:1010But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10) we have very similar words: “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” First Corinthians 3:13 tells us that “every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it.” Again, in 1 Corinthians 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5) we are told to “judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” Scripture is clear. There will be a review of the believer’s life in heaven—not judicially, but rather that God may place His estimate on what we have done in our lives. What has been done for the Lord will receive a reward (1 Cor. 3:1414If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:14)).
David’s Mighty Men
In connection with this truth, I would suggest that we have an illustration of it in the account of David’s mighty men and his estimate of them. The account is given twice: in 2 Samuel 23 and in 1 Chronicles 11. The accounts differ somewhat, the one in Chronicles being much longer. The account in 1 Chronicles is given at the beginning of David’s reign, and thus perhaps it brings before us those who were instrumental in setting David up as king. The account in 2 Samuel is given at the end of his reign, and no doubt it gives those who were faithful throughout this time, as well as being present at the beginning.
The Value of Endurance
We know that all will be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ (“Then shall every man have praise of God”; 1 Cor. 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)), but some will get a greater reward than others. God places a high premium on endurance in the Christian life, and how many there are that start out well, only to falter as testing becomes more severe! So the Apostle Paul had a burden, “So that I finish my course” (Acts 20:2424But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24) JND), and he could with confidence say in 2 Timothy 4:77I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7), “I have finished my course.” May it be our earnest wish to do this too!
Adino the Eznite
Let us consider the account in 2 Samuel 23, looking at ten different men who illustrate some truths connected with the judgment seat of Christ.
The first one to be named is Adino the Eznite, of whom it is recorded that he slew eight hundred at one time. The figure of eight hundred is one of the largest slaughters of men by one individual recorded in the Old Testament, exceeded only, perhaps, by some of Samson’s exploits. In 1 Chronicles 11 the figure given is only three hundred, probably at an earlier time. Evidently this man’s courage and faithfulness increased during David’s reign, and thus he slew far more later on in his life than at the beginning. May it be our experience to walk with the Lord and have our faith increased as time goes on, so that the Lord may work even more mightily through us!
Eleazar the Ahohite
The second one named is Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, who stood alone against the Philistines when the men of Israel were gone away. Of particular interest is the fact that “his hand clave unto the sword.” The sword would, no doubt, speak of the Word of God, and how needful today to hold God’s Word above all else, if we are to see a great victory! Note that it says that “the Lord wrought a great victory,” for it is only in His strength that we can go out against impossible odds.
It is recorded that “the people returned after him only to spoil.” He might well have resented this, having had to stand alone against the enemy when others had gone away. But there is no record that he complained. How good it is to be willing to share the fruits of a spiritual victory with others, even if they do not deserve it!
If God has given one the energy and help to have more spiritually than others, let it not be used to accredit and distinguish self; rather, let it be used for the good of all saints. Let us seek grace and ever remember the Lord’s admonition, “Freely ye have received, freely give.”
Shammah the Hararite
The third one mentioned is Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite, who defended a field of lentils against the Philistines. We might have thought that they were not of sufficient value to warrant his facing such odds, especially as it seems that he too was obliged to stand alone. But this was the inheritance given to them of the Lord, and he would not let even a field of lentils fall into the enemy’s hands. Perhaps this would speak to us of Christ and all the truth given to us concerning that blessed One. Many today are willing to give it up, rather than stand alone, but love to Christ would exhort us that “ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 33Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)).
Serving Unnoticed
But what was it that gave these three men the first place? To my knowledge they are not mentioned elsewhere in the Word of God. In all the accounts of David’s various campaigns and battles, in all the incidents recorded in his life, they are not named. Would this not suggest that they were faithful in a quiet and unassuming way—not in the public eye? God will put His estimate on our service, taking into account things that are seen only by His eye. “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”
Affection for David
If these three are accorded the first place only on the basis of their personal courage, it could readily be argued that others performed acts of bravery that at least approximated those recorded of these three men. I believe that there is another reason why they have the first place. In the subsequent verses, 2 Samuel 23:14-1714And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord. 17And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. (2 Samuel 23:14‑17), a very touching incident is recorded of three men who, hearing David’s expressed longing for a drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, boldly broke through the host of the Philistines and brought the water to David. While they are not named as such, I believe it is clear that it was also these first three who did this. Their hearts were so devoted to David that they would risk their lives to give him that which his soul wanted. As the rightful king he should have been in control of Bethlehem and had access to the water. Though it was David’s hometown and also the future birthplace of the Messiah, it was the day of his rejection and the enemy held that place.
Perhaps this would speak to us of worship today, for it is the day of our Lord’s rejection. His vindication awaits a coming day, but by faith you and I can break through the enemy who would usurp His claims, and we can give Him what is His due. Perhaps there are many who would gladly fight the Lord’s battles in service, but are we willing to use our spiritual strength to give that blessed One a drink? How precious this is to His heart, as it was to David’s. We may well ask why David would pour it out rather than drink it, but in type this would bring before us the blessed truth that the Lord Jesus, while appreciating our worship in the highest degree, will not take His rightful place until we are associated with Him. If David had drunk of the water, he alone would have had it. He valued fully the cost involved in getting it, but he would not drink it until all could enjoy it with him.
Thus it seems that these three men fill the first place because they were characterized by both worship and service, and both in total devotedness to David. They had courage that few could equal, but they were devoted to David’s person in a wonderful way. May you and I by grace seek to do the same towards our blessed Master!
Lord willing, we will look at the remainder of these ten servants of David in future articles.
W. J. Prost