David's Mighty Men

There was something about this sheperd, something powerful! Whether slaying a bear and lion, beheading Goliath, conquering Philistines, tending sheep, or plucking a harp, David was good at what he did. People noticed this and were drawn to him. I like to imagine that it would be like what my Uncle said concerning Baraka Obama (this is not a political message =). "When Mr. Obama went into a room it was always noticed. Conversations stopped, people parted, expectation filled the room, eyes turned toward Mr. Obama. As he spoke, it was clear that everyone was moved. He has charisma." Charisma, that is what David had, and people loved it. I imagine that people probabbly felt better when they were around David. Something about him spoke hope, in their hopelessness.

Unfortunately, Saul got jealous. He saw people adoring, David, and not himself. So he kicked David out. But that didn't stop people from coming to David. The Bible says, "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard [it], they went down thither to him.And every one [that was] in distress, and every one that [was] in debt, and every one [that was] discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men (1 Samuel 22:1-2)". Good, mediocre, bad, and downright evil he took them all in, as long as they were willing to let him be captain over them.

After a few years of being with David, the band of men started to change. All those Psalms that gave such a startling description of a man's relationship with his God, started to be lived out in the lives of the men and women that took refuge with the charismatic leader. Listen to this Psalm, written during David's experience in the cave. "1 I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. 2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. 4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me (Psalms 142)".

Then it happened. Men who had before been the dregs of society, became the chief protectors and defenders of the next king of Israel. They became David's mighty men. "These also [are] the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, [and] with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel (1 Chronicles 11:10)."

Through the spirit of God, David's mighty men wrought many amazing feats. "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. 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: 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. 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. 12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory. 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. 14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in 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! 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. 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. 19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three. 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: 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' hand, and slew him with his own spear. 22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. 23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard. 24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah, 38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, 39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all (1 Samuel 23).

A son of David also had charisma. People saw something in this Son of David. After John declared him to be the lamb of God, two of John's disciples spent the rest of that day and all night with Him. The result, "We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ (John 1:41)." Think of it in a little less then twenty four hours two men are convinced of the messiahship of Christ.

Like David, Christ chose commen men, who were willing to call him Lord. The charisma of Christ, which is derived from the Greek word that can mean "God's gift" or "divine favor", gave bad, average, and "good" men hope admist this world's hoplessness.

After a few years with Jesus, people noticed, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13)". Men once fearful of maids, stood before the kings and queens of the land proclaiming Christ at the risk of their lives.

Transformed by the power of Christ, their one goal was to set up Christ's new kingdom. "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (1 Peter 3:12)" Their devotion to Christ was so powerful and influential during their lifetime that the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem bear their names (Rev 22:14)."


Just like Christ changed them, he can change us. The "captain of our salvation" wishes to make you one of his mighty souldiers (Hebrews 2:10). Should you accept this charge, your one ambition will be to prepare the way for the coming King Jesus.