Mighty Friends
2 Samuel 23:14–17 (ESV) David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. 15 And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” 16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the Lord 17 and said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.
This passage seems to be a contradiction in terms. David at war with the enemies of Israel longs for water from his hometown. His three best men get through to get the water and David pours it on the ground. What gives? If I was one of those men I'd be pretty upset. But of course, there's more to this story than that.
First, we should back up to see what these men were able to do:
2 Samuel 23:8 (ESV) These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.
Don't just brush by that passage. He killed 800 at one time. Myth? Legend? Fact. You either believe the scriptures or you don't. The Holy Spirit came upon Josheb-basshebeth and he did more than you can imagine. That's the power of God at work in a man.
Then there was Eleazar who stood his ground for the Lord with David when everyone else fled.
2 Samuel 23:9 (ESV) And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew.
Finally, there was Shammah who also stood his ground when others fled to protect a profitable plot of ground for Israel.
2 Samuel 23:11–12 (ESV) And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. 12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.
These were men whom God had empowered by His spirit. The same Spirit that came upon Samson and David to do exploits came upon these men. Yet, in spite of their great exploits, they were first and foremost great friends and brothers to their commanding officer, King David.
What we have here is a picture of concern for others at great cost to oneself even when the risk is great. This, my friends, is what it means to be a mighty man filled with the Spirit in the family of God. Yes, great exploits will be done, but great concern for the brotherhood of faith is foremost.
And what of David's refusal to drink the water and pour it on the ground? First, we see his humility, seeing himself unworthy of such friendship and loyalty. Great friends are grateful for friends. They do not have an entitlement spirit. But second, we see his devotion to God. David poured it out "to the Lord." He worshipped God for the people God brought around him. David knew he could not be who he was with them and that God who raised him up did so through the men he gave him.
Today, loneliness is killing us. We need friends like never before. The two aspects of David's character are seeding ground for friends that matter - humility and gratitude. But you won't develop these traits by promoting your own exploits. You get them when you care enough to put yourself on the line for others. Remember, David was the first of these men to risk it all for those he loved. And God surrounded him with people just like that.
Give yourself, graciously and humbly to others. It will come back to you many times over.
This passage seems to be a contradiction in terms. David at war with the enemies of Israel longs for water from his hometown. His three best men get through to get the water and David pours it on the ground. What gives? If I was one of those men I'd be pretty upset. But of course, there's more to this story than that.
First, we should back up to see what these men were able to do:
2 Samuel 23:8 (ESV) These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.
Don't just brush by that passage. He killed 800 at one time. Myth? Legend? Fact. You either believe the scriptures or you don't. The Holy Spirit came upon Josheb-basshebeth and he did more than you can imagine. That's the power of God at work in a man.
Then there was Eleazar who stood his ground for the Lord with David when everyone else fled.
2 Samuel 23:9 (ESV) And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew.
Finally, there was Shammah who also stood his ground when others fled to protect a profitable plot of ground for Israel.
2 Samuel 23:11–12 (ESV) And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. 12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.
These were men whom God had empowered by His spirit. The same Spirit that came upon Samson and David to do exploits came upon these men. Yet, in spite of their great exploits, they were first and foremost great friends and brothers to their commanding officer, King David.
What we have here is a picture of concern for others at great cost to oneself even when the risk is great. This, my friends, is what it means to be a mighty man filled with the Spirit in the family of God. Yes, great exploits will be done, but great concern for the brotherhood of faith is foremost.
And what of David's refusal to drink the water and pour it on the ground? First, we see his humility, seeing himself unworthy of such friendship and loyalty. Great friends are grateful for friends. They do not have an entitlement spirit. But second, we see his devotion to God. David poured it out "to the Lord." He worshipped God for the people God brought around him. David knew he could not be who he was with them and that God who raised him up did so through the men he gave him.
Today, loneliness is killing us. We need friends like never before. The two aspects of David's character are seeding ground for friends that matter - humility and gratitude. But you won't develop these traits by promoting your own exploits. You get them when you care enough to put yourself on the line for others. Remember, David was the first of these men to risk it all for those he loved. And God surrounded him with people just like that.
Give yourself, graciously and humbly to others. It will come back to you many times over.
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