The Importance of Team Building

Even great heroes need a team.

2 Samuel 21:15 (ESV) There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary.

For the first time in the scriptures, we read that David was tired. Great heroes eventually grow old and inevitably die. David has been through some serious stuff as well in recent years. He's faced family turmoil, betrayal and undermining staff. He's got a reason to be tired. When we read how the battle advances, something very important happens:

2 Samuel 21:16–17 (ESV) And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”

The first thought I had about this text is that Abishai has been one of the hot-head brothers/cousins of David that has at various points brought David grief. But now Abishai is proving that deep down he cares for David's legacy and life. Sometimes we are quick to cast people off in our lives when they could be of great benefit to us at just the right time. Perhaps we all have an Abishai or two, someone who seems a bit much at times. But people are the greatest resource in our lives. To cut ties with too many people too quickly will leave us all alone. 

Secondly, David not only has Abishai ready to fight for him in his weariness, but he also has 30 mighty men, some of whom take on the one-on-one matches in this chapter, winning important battles against the Philistines. You see, David raised up men who could do what he did - fight giants and win great victories. 

2 Samuel 21:18–19 (ESV) After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. 19 And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

You need people if you're going to succeed long term. The battle is too strong for even David, what makes you think you are stronger? The Devil will not quit attacking you so get yourself a team! Invest in people, help them do what you can do. You will benefit them and they will benefit you. But you have to see them for what the are - God's team He's set around you.

I think of the names of these warriors: "Sibbecai" means, "Jehovah is intervening." "Elhanan" means, "Whom God graciously gave." There's a third battle:

2 Samuel 21:20–22 (ESV) And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 21 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, struck him down. 22 These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

"Jonathan" also means, "the Lord gave." 

Big idea? The Lord intervened to give David these men so that when David was low, he would not lose. I wonder if there are people God has sent us whom we have unwittingly rejected. I wonder what would happen if you looked at the people in your life for what they were: Gifts from God whom He sent to give you strength in the low season. It's time to rekindle the ability to sustain friendship and brotherhood. You need a team. We are far too lonely today. Hold on to those people God has sent you, they will someday be the best thing that happened to you.