25/04/2021
2 Samuel 23:8-39 God's Mighty Men
When David Livingstone, the missionary pioneer, was working in Africa, some friends wrote: “We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?”
Livingstone wrote back: “If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.
This was the case when David’s kingdom was established. Through David’s reign, the name of the Lord God of Israel was published far and abroad. But great as he was, David did not stand alone. Surrounding him were a band of mighty men who accomplished great feats of valor. They were committed to David and his kingdom. We read of them in 2 Samuel 23:8‑39..
If God is going to accomplish a great work among us, then He wants to raise up a band of mighty men in our midst who can do great exploits for God. In saying “mighty men,” I am not excluding mighty women, but I am emphasizing the need for strong men of faith.
The New Testament makes it clear that God desires men to be in spiritual leadership in the home and church. The church today‑‑this church‑‑needs a band of mighty men like these who surrounded David.
What characterized these men? A study of this text reveals that there were two s marks of these mighty men:
1. They were attracted to David’s person,
and
2. they were committed to his cause.
Similarly,
The church needs mighty men who are attracted to the person of Christ and committed to the cause of Christ.
1. The church needs mighty men who are attracted to the person of Christ.
David’s men were not unwilling conscripts who grimly fulfilled their duty. They were willing volunteers who served out of devotion to David. The love these men had for David can be seen in the incident described in 23:13‑17.
David was hiding from Saul in the cave of Adullam. The Philistines were in Bethlehem, David’s home town. David thought back to the cool, clear water which he used to drink from the well in Bethlehem as a boy. So, perhaps without thinking, he exclaimed, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate!” (23:15).
2. The church needs mighty men who are committed to the cause of Christ.
In David’s day, there were enemies to be overthrown and kingdoms to be repulsed and conquered so that the people of God could dwell securely in the land, the worship of God could be established, and the name of God exalted among the heathen nations.
A. THE CAUSE:
(1) It is a great cause.
It is nothing less than the cause of God’s kingdom. There is no greater cause! Surely David’s mighty men realized that David’s kingdom was the center for God’s kingdom upon earth.
2. It is a team cause.
B. THE COMMITMENT
1) A commitment which overcomes the odds with faith in God. Note 23:8, 9‑10, 11‑12
(2) A commitment which endures exhaustion.( Never tired of the cause) See 23:10. Eleazar was so tired he couldn’t open his hand after the battle was over.
(3) A commitment which spurns the attitude of the crowd. Note 23:9-12. The Israelite warriors had fled.
(4) A commitment which takes the initiative. These mighty men were not passive. They were not just on the defensive‑‑they were on the offensive as well. Note 23:20‑21. It’s impressive enough to kill a lion in a pit.
(5) A commitment which risks life itself, if need be. These mighty men all risked their lives because of their commitment to David and his cause.
Conclusion
God wants to raise up a band of mighty men who are attracted to the person of Christ and who are committed to His cause. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Where do I start?” If your heart has grown cold and complacent toward Christ, then start there. The Lord directed the church at Ephesus which had lost its first love to “remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Rev. 2:5).
Remember what the Lord has done for you.
Commit yourself know like Paul.
1 Cor 9:
9:23 I
