{"id":45135,"date":"2020-11-27T22:15:59","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T19:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=45135"},"modified":"2025-05-09T14:15:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T11:15:00","slug":"lessons-from-davids-37-mighty-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/11\/27\/lessons-from-davids-37-mighty-men\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons from David\u2019s 37 Mighty Men"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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God <\/span>Turns <\/span>the <\/span>Weak <\/span>into <\/span>Warriors <\/span>for <\/span>His <\/span>Glory<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Throughout <\/span>the <\/span>Old <\/span>Testament, <\/span>we <\/span>see <\/span>how <\/span>God <\/span>often <\/span>raises <\/span>up <\/span>unlikely <\/span>individuals <\/span>to <\/span>accomplish <\/span>mighty <\/span>works. <\/span>A <\/span>striking <\/span>example <\/span>is <\/span>found <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>life <\/span>of <\/span>King <\/span>David\u2014<\/span>not <\/span>only <\/span>in <\/span>his <\/span>own <\/span>victories <\/span>but <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>remarkable <\/span>men <\/span>who <\/span>stood <\/span>with <\/span>him. <\/span>These <\/span>were <\/span>his <\/span>37 <\/span>mighty <\/span>warriors, <\/span>men <\/span>of <\/span>extraordinary <\/span>courage <\/span>and <\/span>valor <\/span>who <\/span>served <\/span>alongside <\/span>him <\/span>in <\/span>battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Structure <\/span>of <\/span>David\u2019s <\/span>Mighty <\/span>Men<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

David\u2019s <\/span>warriors <\/span>were <\/span>grouped <\/span>into <\/span>three <\/span>tiers:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    The <\/span>Three (<\/span>The <\/span>Elite <\/span>Warriors)<\/span><\/strong>: <\/span>These <\/span>were <\/span>the <\/span>most <\/span>distinguished <\/span>of <\/span>all, <\/span>known <\/span>for <\/span>their <\/span>unparalleled <\/span>bravery <\/span>and <\/span>battlefield <\/span>accomplishments.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    The <\/span>Second <\/span>Tier<\/span><\/strong>: <\/span>Consisted <\/span>of <\/span>two <\/span>men <\/span>who, <\/span>although <\/span>not <\/span>quite <\/span>as <\/span>renowned <\/span>as “<\/span>The <\/span>Three,” <\/span>performed <\/span>heroic <\/span>feats <\/span>that <\/span>earned <\/span>them <\/span>high <\/span>honor.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    The <\/span>Thirty<\/span><\/strong>: <\/span>This <\/span>group <\/span>included <\/span>Uriah <\/span>the <\/span>Hittite (<\/span>2 <\/span>Samuel <\/span>11), <\/span>whose <\/span>tragic <\/span>end <\/span>was <\/span>due <\/span>to <\/span>David\u2019s <\/span>sin, <\/span>yet <\/span>he <\/span>too <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>valiant <\/span>man.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Now <\/span>let\u2019s <\/span>look <\/span>at <\/span>a <\/span>few <\/span>of <\/span>these <\/span>men <\/span>and <\/span>what <\/span>made <\/span>them <\/span>so <\/span>exceptional.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. <\/span>Josheb-<\/span>basshebeth <\/span>the <\/span>Tahchemonite<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

    (<\/span>Also <\/span>called <\/span>Jashobeam)<\/span><\/p>\n

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    \u201c<\/span>These <\/span>are <\/span>the <\/span>names <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>mighty <\/span>men <\/span>whom <\/span>David <\/span>had: <\/span>Josheb-<\/span>basshebeth <\/span>a <\/span>Tahchemonite; <\/span>he <\/span>was <\/span>chief <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>three. <\/span>He <\/span>wielded <\/span>his <\/span>spear <\/span>against <\/span>eight <\/span>hundred <\/span>whom <\/span>he <\/span>killed <\/span>at <\/span>one <\/span>time.\u201d<\/span>
    (<\/span>2 <\/span>Samuel <\/span>23:<\/span>8, <\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    This <\/span>warrior <\/span>is <\/span>remembered <\/span>for <\/span>killing <\/span>800 <\/span>men <\/span>in <\/span>a <\/span>single <\/span>encounter\u2014<\/span>a <\/span>feat <\/span>that <\/span>rivals <\/span>the <\/span>strength <\/span>of <\/span>Samson. <\/span>This <\/span>was <\/span>not <\/span>mere <\/span>physical <\/span>power, <\/span>but <\/span>a <\/span>demonstration <\/span>of <\/span>divine <\/span>empowerment. <\/span>Like <\/span>many <\/span>biblical <\/span>heroes, <\/span>he <\/span>was <\/span>used <\/span>by <\/span>God <\/span>to <\/span>bring <\/span>about <\/span>great <\/span>victories <\/span>through <\/span>faith <\/span>and <\/span>obedience.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    2. <\/span>Eleazar <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Dodo<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    \u201c<\/span>And <\/span>next <\/span>to <\/span>him <\/span>among <\/span>the <\/span>three <\/span>mighty <\/span>men <\/span>was <\/span>Eleazar <\/span>the <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Dodo, <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Ahohi. <\/span>He <\/span>was <\/span>with <\/span>David <\/span>when <\/span>they <\/span>defied <\/span>the <\/span>Philistines <\/span>who <\/span>were <\/span>gathered <\/span>there <\/span>for <\/span>battle, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>men <\/span>of <\/span>Israel <\/span>withdrew. <\/span>He <\/span>rose <\/span>and <\/span>struck <\/span>down <\/span>the <\/span>Philistines <\/span>until <\/span>his <\/span>hand <\/span>was <\/span>weary, <\/span>and <\/span>his <\/span>hand <\/span>clung <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>sword. <\/span>And <\/span>the <\/span>Lord <\/span>brought <\/span>about <\/span>a <\/span>great <\/span>victory <\/span>that <\/span>day.\u201d<\/span>
    (<\/span>2 <\/span>Samuel <\/span>23:<\/span>9\u2013<\/span>10, <\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Even <\/span>when <\/span>others <\/span>fled, <\/span>Eleazar <\/span>stood <\/span>firm. <\/span>He <\/span>fought <\/span>so <\/span>long <\/span>and <\/span>hard <\/span>that <\/span>his <\/span>hand <\/span>physically <\/span>stuck <\/span>to <\/span>his <\/span>sword. <\/span>This <\/span>illustrates <\/span>the <\/span>deep <\/span>connection <\/span>between <\/span>spiritual <\/span>perseverance <\/span>and <\/span>the \u201c<\/span>sword <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Spirit, <\/span>which <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>Word <\/span>of <\/span>God\u201d (<\/span>Ephesians <\/span>6:<\/span>17). <\/span>True <\/span>spiritual <\/span>warriors <\/span>cling <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>Word, <\/span>especially <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>heat <\/span>of <\/span>battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    3. <\/span>Shammah <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Agee<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    \u201c<\/span>And <\/span>next <\/span>to <\/span>him <\/span>was <\/span>Shammah, <\/span>the <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Agee <\/span>the <\/span>Hararite. <\/span>The <\/span>Philistines <\/span>gathered <\/span>together <\/span>at <\/span>Lehi, <\/span>where <\/span>there <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>plot <\/span>of <\/span>ground <\/span>full <\/span>of <\/span>lentils, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>men <\/span>fled <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>Philistines. <\/span>But <\/span>he <\/span>took <\/span>his <\/span>stand <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>midst <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>plot <\/span>and <\/span>defended <\/span>it <\/span>and <\/span>struck <\/span>down <\/span>the <\/span>Philistines, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>Lord <\/span>worked <\/span>a <\/span>great <\/span>victory.\u201d<\/span>
    (<\/span>2 <\/span>Samuel <\/span>23:<\/span>11\u2013<\/span>12, <\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    While <\/span>others <\/span>abandoned <\/span>the <\/span>field, <\/span>Shammah <\/span>stood <\/span>alone <\/span>and <\/span>defended <\/span>what <\/span>others <\/span>considered <\/span>insignificant\u2014<\/span>a <\/span>field <\/span>of <\/span>lentils. <\/span>Yet <\/span>in <\/span>God\u2019s <\/span>economy, <\/span>no <\/span>ground <\/span>is <\/span>too <\/span>small <\/span>to <\/span>defend <\/span>when <\/span>done <\/span>in <\/span>faith. <\/span>Like <\/span>Shammah, <\/span>we <\/span>are <\/span>called <\/span>to <\/span>be <\/span>faithful <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>little <\/span>things (<\/span>Luke <\/span>16:<\/span>10).<\/span><\/p>\n

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    4. <\/span>Abishai, <\/span>Brother <\/span>of <\/span>Joab<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    \u201c<\/span>Now <\/span>Abishai, <\/span>the <\/span>brother <\/span>of <\/span>Joab, <\/span>the <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Zeruiah, <\/span>was <\/span>chief <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>thirty. <\/span>And <\/span>he <\/span>wielded <\/span>his <\/span>spear <\/span>against <\/span>three <\/span>hundred <\/span>men <\/span>and <\/span>killed <\/span>them <\/span>and <\/span>won <\/span>a <\/span>name <\/span>beside <\/span>the <\/span>three.\u201d<\/span>
    (<\/span>2 <\/span>Samuel <\/span>23:<\/span>18, <\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Abishai\u2019s <\/span>act <\/span>of <\/span>bravery <\/span>earned <\/span>him <\/span>a <\/span>name <\/span>and <\/span>place <\/span>of <\/span>honor. <\/span>Though <\/span>not <\/span>part <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>elite <\/span>three, <\/span>he <\/span>stood <\/span>close, <\/span>reminding <\/span>us <\/span>that <\/span>faithful <\/span>service <\/span>may <\/span>not <\/span>always <\/span>place <\/span>us <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>spotlight, <\/span>but <\/span>it <\/span>is <\/span>still <\/span>greatly <\/span>valued <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>eyes <\/span>of <\/span>God.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    5. <\/span>Benaiah <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Jehoiada<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    \u201c<\/span>And <\/span>Benaiah <\/span>the <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Jehoiada <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>valiant <\/span>man <\/span>of <\/span>Kabzeel\u2026 <\/span>He <\/span>struck <\/span>down <\/span>two <\/span>ariels <\/span>of <\/span>Moab. <\/span>He <\/span>also <\/span>went <\/span>down <\/span>and <\/span>struck <\/span>a <\/span>lion <\/span>in <\/span>a <\/span>pit <\/span>on <\/span>a <\/span>day <\/span>when <\/span>snow <\/span>had <\/span>fallen. <\/span>And <\/span>he <\/span>struck <\/span>down <\/span>an <\/span>Egyptian, <\/span>a <\/span>handsome <\/span>man. <\/span>The <\/span>Egyptian <\/span>had <\/span>a <\/span>spear <\/span>in <\/span>his <\/span>hand, <\/span>but <\/span>Benaiah <\/span>went <\/span>down <\/span>to <\/span>him <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>staff <\/span>and <\/span>snatched <\/span>the <\/span>spear <\/span>out <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Egyptian’s <\/span>hand <\/span>and <\/span>killed <\/span>him <\/span>with <\/span>his <\/span>own <\/span>spear.\u201d<\/span>
    (<\/span>2 <\/span>Samuel <\/span>23:<\/span>20\u2013<\/span>21, <\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Benaiah <\/span>was <\/span>fearless\u2014<\/span>he <\/span>took <\/span>on <\/span>giants, <\/span>wild <\/span>beasts, <\/span>and <\/span>enemies <\/span>armed <\/span>with <\/span>superior <\/span>weapons. <\/span>His <\/span>courage <\/span>echoes <\/span>that <\/span>of <\/span>David <\/span>himself, <\/span>reminding <\/span>us <\/span>that <\/span>true <\/span>strength <\/span>comes <\/span>from <\/span>trusting <\/span>God, <\/span>not <\/span>in <\/span>physical <\/span>might (<\/span>Zechariah <\/span>4:<\/span>6).<\/span><\/p>\n

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    6. <\/span>Elhanan <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Jaare-<\/span>oregim<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    \u201c<\/span>And <\/span>there <\/span>was <\/span>again <\/span>war <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>Philistines <\/span>at <\/span>Gob, <\/span>and <\/span>Elhanan <\/span>the <\/span>son <\/span>of <\/span>Jaare-<\/span>oregim, <\/span>the <\/span>Bethlehemite, <\/span>struck <\/span>down <\/span>Goliath <\/span>the <\/span>Gittite, <\/span>the <\/span>shaft <\/span>of <\/span>whose <\/span>spear <\/span>was <\/span>like <\/span>a <\/span>weaver\u2019s <\/span>beam.\u201d<\/span>
    (<\/span>2 <\/span>Samuel <\/span>21:<\/span>19, <\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Like <\/span>David, <\/span>Elhanan <\/span>also <\/span>defeated <\/span>a <\/span>Philistine <\/span>giant, <\/span>showing <\/span>that <\/span>God <\/span>raises <\/span>up <\/span>new <\/span>generations <\/span>of <\/span>warriors <\/span>to <\/span>carry <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Where <\/span>Did <\/span>These <\/span>Warriors <\/span>Come <\/span>From?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Surprisingly, <\/span>David <\/span>did <\/span>not <\/span>recruit <\/span>these <\/span>men <\/span>from <\/span>Saul\u2019s <\/span>army <\/span>or <\/span>from <\/span>among <\/span>Israel\u2019s <\/span>elite. <\/span>They <\/span>were <\/span>ordinary <\/span>people\u2014<\/span>men <\/span>in <\/span>distress, <\/span>in <\/span>debt, <\/span>discontented <\/span>with <\/span>life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    \u201c<\/span>And <\/span>everyone <\/span>who <\/span>was <\/span>in <\/span>distress, <\/span>and <\/span>everyone <\/span>who <\/span>was <\/span>in <\/span>debt, <\/span>and <\/span>everyone <\/span>who <\/span>was <\/span>bitter <\/span>in <\/span>soul, <\/span>gathered <\/span>to <\/span>him. <\/span>And <\/span>he <\/span>became <\/span>commander <\/span>over <\/span>them. <\/span>And <\/span>there <\/span>were <\/span>with <\/span>him <\/span>about <\/span>four <\/span>hundred <\/span>men.\u201d<\/span>
    (<\/span>1 <\/span>Samuel <\/span>22:<\/span>2, <\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    From <\/span>these <\/span>broken <\/span>men, <\/span>God <\/span>raised <\/span>a <\/span>company <\/span>of <\/span>warriors <\/span>who <\/span>shook <\/span>kingdoms. <\/span>This <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>powerful <\/span>picture <\/span>of <\/span>redemption <\/span>and <\/span>transformation <\/span>through <\/span>leadership, <\/span>discipleship, <\/span>and <\/span>above <\/span>all\u2014<\/span>God\u2019s <\/span>power.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The <\/span>Spiritual <\/span>Application: <\/span>Christ\u2019s <\/span>Mighty <\/span>Ones<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

    David <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>type <\/span>of <\/span>Christ, <\/span>the <\/span>anointed <\/span>King. <\/span>Just <\/span>as <\/span>David <\/span>turned <\/span>ordinary, <\/span>troubled <\/span>men <\/span>into <\/span>mighty <\/span>warriors, <\/span>so <\/span>Christ <\/span>today <\/span>is <\/span>calling <\/span>the <\/span>broken, <\/span>the <\/span>weary, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>rejected <\/span>to <\/span>become <\/span>spiritual <\/span>champions <\/span>in <\/span>His <\/span>kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Paul <\/span>reminds <\/span>us <\/span>of <\/span>this <\/span>truth:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    \u201c<\/span>For <\/span>consider <\/span>your <\/span>calling, <\/span>brothers: <\/span>not <\/span>many <\/span>of <\/span>you <\/span>were <\/span>wise <\/span>according <\/span>to <\/span>worldly <\/span>standards, <\/span>not <\/span>many <\/span>were <\/span>powerful, <\/span>not <\/span>many <\/span>were <\/span>of <\/span>noble <\/span>birth. <\/span>But <\/span>God <\/span>chose <\/span>what <\/span>is <\/span>foolish <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>world <\/span>to <\/span>shame <\/span>the <\/span>wise\u2026 <\/span>so <\/span>that <\/span>no <\/span>human <\/span>being <\/span>might <\/span>boast <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>presence <\/span>of <\/span>God.\u201d<\/span>
    (<\/span>1 <\/span>Corinthians <\/span>1:<\/span>26\u2013<\/span>29, <\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    God <\/span>does <\/span>not <\/span>require <\/span>wealth, <\/span>education, <\/span>or <\/span>social <\/span>status\u2014<\/span>He <\/span>desires <\/span>faith, <\/span>obedience, <\/span>and <\/span>a <\/span>heart <\/span>surrendered <\/span>to <\/span>Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Final <\/span>Reflection<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

    You <\/span>may <\/span>feel <\/span>unworthy, <\/span>poor, <\/span>indebted, <\/span>or <\/span>insignificant\u2014<\/span>but <\/span>you <\/span>are <\/span>precisely <\/span>the <\/span>kind <\/span>of <\/span>person <\/span>God <\/span>delights <\/span>to <\/span>use. <\/span>If <\/span>you <\/span>surrender <\/span>your <\/span>life <\/span>to <\/span>Christ, <\/span>He <\/span>can <\/span>mold <\/span>you <\/span>into <\/span>a <\/span>mighty <\/span>spiritual <\/span>warrior. <\/span>Don\u2019t <\/span>let <\/span>your <\/span>past, <\/span>your <\/span>poverty, <\/span>or <\/span>your <\/span>pain <\/span>hold <\/span>you <\/span>back. <\/span>On <\/span>the <\/span>Day <\/span>of <\/span>Judgment, <\/span>it <\/span>won\u2019t <\/span>be <\/span>your <\/span>excuses <\/span>that <\/span>speak, <\/span>but <\/span>your <\/span>faith\u2014<\/span>or <\/span>lack <\/span>of <\/span>it.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Like <\/span>David\u2019s <\/span>men, <\/span>will <\/span>you <\/span>rise <\/span>and <\/span>fight <\/span>the <\/span>good <\/span>fight <\/span>of <\/span>faith?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Maranatha. <\/span>Come, <\/span>Lord Jesus.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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