COURAGE UNDER FIRE

Three of the Mighty Men of The Strong Thirty

1.

2 Samuel 23:15 “And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”

2 Samuel 23:16 “And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.”

2 Samuel 23 ; 2 Samuel 17 “Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou. And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that t

2 Samuel (King James Version) D. David’s Commanders and the Thirty, His Elite Force: A Dramatic Picture of Being Courageous and Fearless for the Lord, 23:8–39

1. The three elite & most honored commanders: A need to stand fast, never desert or flee

a. Adino or Josheb-Basshebeth: The commander of the three chief or elite officers—killed 800 men in one battle

8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.

b. Eleazar: The soldier who alone stood with David, stood side by side holding his ground

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 that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:

1) Eleazar killed so many Philistines his hand froze, could not let go of the sword

2) The LORD gave victory to David & Eleazar

3) The troops returned only for the plunder

10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

c. Shammah: The soldier who single-handedly saved the food supply

1) The Philistine raiding party attacked & Israel’s defenders fled

11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.

2) Shammah alone stood his ground & defended the field of lentils

3) The LORD gave him victory

12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

2. The three soldiers who broke through Philistine lines to secure water for David: A lesson on sacrificial devotion

a. The three soldiers were from the elite force known as The Thirty

13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

b. The Philistine army had occupied Bethlehem

c. David & his men were in the stronghold (cave) at Adullam

14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

1) They were cut off from water

2) David wishfully stated, “Oh, to have a drink of that good water from Bethlehem”

15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

d. The three warriors sought to fulfill the wishful desire of their commander

1) They fearlessly broke through the enemy line

2) They drew the water & brought it back to David

e. David was so overwhelmed he refused to drink the water

1) He poured it out as a drink offering to the LORD

2) He valued the water: Symbolized it as blood

• The men had risked their lives (blood)

• He would not drink it

16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.

17 And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

3. Abishai, the brother of Joab who killed 300 enemy soldiers: The picture of a courageous brother

18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.

a. He was as famous as the elite Three commanders

b. He became the commander over the elite Three, 8–12

19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.

4. Benaiah, the valiant commander of David’s personal bodyguard, 8:18: A lesson on serving God’s anointed, Jesus Christ

a. His exploits

1) Had killed two of Moab’s valiant heroes

2) Had killed a lion

20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:

3) Had killed a huge Egyptian soldier while armed only with a club

21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.

b. His fame

1) He was almost as famous as the Three Elite commanders

22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.

2) He was more honored than the Thirty (a specific corps of David’s elite soldiers)

c. His position: Commander of the royal guard, 8:18

23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.

5. The Thirty, David’s elite force: A legacy of faithful service

a. Asahel: Joab’s brother

b. Elhanan: Brother of Eleazar, 9

24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

c. Shammah & Elika

Courage Under Fire: The Cost of Loyalty to God's Mission

Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 23:8-23

Summary: This passage recounts the valiant feats of David's mighty men, showing their unwavering loyalty and willingness to risk their lives for a thirst-quenching act of service to their leader. Their feat of fetching water from Bethlehem reflects not only a deep commitment to David but also serves as a profound metaphor for the lengths we should go in service to God's kingdom, challenging believers to consider their own devotion in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Application: This scripture encourages Christians to evaluate what sacrifices they are willing to make in their lives for the sake of God's mission. It serves as a reminder that true loyalty to God often requires us to step outside of our comfort zones and take risks, illustrating that the pursuit of God's work can lead us to extraordinary acts of service and love for others.

Teaching: The sermon highlights the significance of loyalty, sacrifice, and the willingness to act for the greater good of the kingdom. It illustrates that following Christ may involve difficult decisions and risks that test our faith yet ultimately deepen our commitment to Him and His purposes in the world.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the overarching narrative of Scripture, this passage reflects the resolute spirit of Christ, who, in His mission, endured hardship and sacrifice for humanity’s sake. Just as David's men displayed extreme devotion, Christ embodies ultimate loyalty as He laid down His life, offering us the living water we desperately need.

Big Idea: Loyalty to God’s mission often requires profound sacrifices, but through these acts of courage, we participate in the redemptive work of Christ and inspire others to do the same.

Recommended Study: As you study this passage in Logos, consider delving into the historical context of David's leadership and the cultural significance of water in the ancient Near East. Investigate the literary structure of the passage to understand the emphasis placed on each warrior's achievements. Exploring related texts that discuss loyalty and sacrifice, such as Philippians 2:5-8, may provide additional insights on the theme of service and commitment in your sermon preparation.

1. Eleazar's Exemplary Endurance

2 Samuel 23:8-10

You could discuss how Eleazar’s unwavering stand with David against overwhelming odds exemplifies loyalty in action. The passage spotlights the essential qualities of loyalty and bravery required to stand firm in faith, drawing parallels to Christ’s enduring commitment to His mission on the cross. This segment encourages believers to reflect on their own willingness to take a stand for God's purposes, even when it demands resolute courage and faithfulness.

2. Shammah's Steadfast Stand

2 Samuel 23:11-12

Perhaps you could highlight Shammah’s heroism in defending a field of lentils as a representation of commitment to small yet significant calls to service. Just as Shammah saw value in a seemingly insignificant task, followers of Christ are urged to find purpose in faithfully serving in the everyday moments, reinforcing that no act of service is too small when tied to God's mission.

3. Three Warriors' Willingness

2 Samuel 23:13-17

Maybe you could illustrate the sacrifice of the three warriors who retrieved water for David from Bethlehem. Their act vividly portrays the depth of loyalty to their leader, akin to Christ's offering of Himself for humanity. By drawing this parallel, this point suggests that in every sacrifice made for God's mission, there is an opportunity to witness Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for us, prompting believers to mirror this selflessness in their own lives.

4. Abishai's Astonishing Bravery

2 Samuel 23:18-19

Abishai’s outstanding bravery and leadership in wielding his spear against 300 men reflects courage under pressure. This point could stress the importance of utilizing God-given strengths in service to His kingdom. Through Abishai's example, believers can be inspired to engage their talents and courage actively in the mission of God, while recognizing Christ as the ultimate leader who exemplifies divine courage and leadership.

5. Benaiah's Bold Battles

2 Samuel 23:20-23

You might explore Benaiah’s fearless feats, including defeating mighty foes and performing miracles in his own right. Such acts symbolize the extraordinary courage required to fulfill God’s plans, urging believers to trust God’s power working through them. It reiterates the promise of Christ’s empowering presence in believers’ lives, inspiring them to fearless service in His name.

The Thirst for Purpose: Heroes in Unlikely Places

Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 23:8-23

Summary: In this passage, we witness the remarkable loyalty and bravery of David's top warriors, who risk their lives to fetch water from enemy territory. Their actions illustrate not only their dedication to David but also highlight the importance of doing something extraordinary for a noble cause, demonstrating that true purpose often lies in the willingness to serve others sacrificially, even when faced with peril.

Application: This passage serves as a powerful reminder for Christians to seek their purpose by becoming agents of service in their communities. It challenges believers to step out of their comfort zones, confront their fears, and take action in service of God’s mission, encouraging everyone to find opportunities to live selflessly and to fulfill a cause greater than themselves.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that greatness in the kingdom of God is not defined by accolades or safety but by acts of service, courage, and loyalty to God’s calling. Just as David’s men sought to please their leader, Christians are called to seek spiritual fulfillment through acts of love, courage, and sacrifice for others, reflecting Christ's servant heart.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage foreshadows Christ’s own selfless mission, as He ventured into enemy territory to bring the ultimate refreshment—salvation. Just like David’s warriors’ act of fetching water was a sacrifice for their leader, Christ’s life and sacrifice are given for humanity, illustrating the depth of God’s love and His desire for us to be involved in His redemptive mission.

Big Idea: Embracing our purpose in Christ often means engaging in risky but rewarding acts of service that fulfill God’s call for our lives and impact those around us.

Recommended Study: While preparing your sermon using Logos, consider researching the historical significance of the water from Bethlehem and the risks associated with its procurement. This may offer deeper insights into the warriors' motivations and the cultural ramifications of their actions. Additionally, examining commentaries on sacrificial leadership in the Old Testament can shed light on the integration of these themes into contemporary application, enhancing your understanding for teaching.

1. Courage Overcomes Challenges

2 Samuel 23:8-12

In this segment, perhaps you might illustrate the courage displayed by mighty men such as Josheb-Basshebeth and Eleazar by highlighting their willingness to advance against overwhelming odds. You could suggest to your audience that embracing God’s purpose may mean confronting daunting challenges with unwavering faith, embodying the courage to serve that reflects the heart of Jesus Christ, who also faced tremendous opposition.

2. Sacrifice Spurs Service

2 Samuel 23:13-17

You could discuss the selfless act of the three warriors fetching water from the well of Bethlehem. This act symbolizes sacrificial service and devotion to a cause greater than oneself. Perhaps, encourage your congregation to seek out and undertake sacrificial actions for others in the spirit of Christ, who offers living water to quench the deepest thirsts.

3. Persistence Powers Purpose

2 Samuel 23:18-23

Focusing on Abishai and Benaiah's valiant deeds, maybe emphasize how purpose is often found in persistent dedication and readiness to serve where it counts. You could draw parallels with how Jesus remained committed to His mission despite all adversities, and challenge believers to stay steadfast in their callings, knowing that their impact amidst adversities carries a moral and spiritual resonance beyond immediate recognition.