2 Samuel 23:8-12
8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth, a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; he was called Adino the Eznite because of eight hundred who were killed by him at one time.
9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there to battle and the men of Israel had withdrawn.
10 He rose up and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and it clung to the sword, and the Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder the dead.
11 Now after him was Shammah the son of Agee, a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered into an army where there was a plot of land full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines.
12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it, and struck the Philistines; and the Lord brought about a great victory.
The Three Mighty Men
David’s mighty men
Behind the establishment of the kingdom of David was the presence of mighty warriors who supported him. At the forefront of these were the three mighty men. (1) Josheb-basshebeth, the son of Tahchemonite. He was a warrior who killed 800 men at one time with his spear. (2) Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite. He was a mighty warrior in the battle against the Philistines. His fighting was so intense that his hand clung to the sword and could not let go. He was greatly used to bring the Lord’s victory to Israel. (3) Shammah the son of Agee, a Hararite. After his fellow countrymen had fled, he stood alone in a field of lentils and fought against the Philistines, striking them down. He too was used to bring about the Lord’s victory.
The parts of one body in Christ
The kingdom of David was established and maintained through the contributions of these mighty men. As we will study next time, there were many other warriors besides these three. They offered their own gifts for the building of the kingdom, and God used them. This is a principle that also applies in the New Testament time. Each of us has been given different characteristics, gifts, and callings. In other words, every person is needed for the expansion of the Kingdom of God. Paul says in Roman 12:4-5, “For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.” You have been given a special calling. Let us re-examine what that is, as well as what your gifts are, and rebuild a life of dedication.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, please use me for the expansion of Your Kingdom. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.