David's Mighty Men

2 Samuel 23

It is our desire to glean important lessons often missed and largely unknown concerning "David's mighty men" in the book of 2nd Samuel. We will not examine all that the Scripture has to say regarding these men. Instead, it is our hope that the reader will be encouraged by the present meditation and will be spurred on to further study regarding these men, as we believe such a study would prove most profitable.

The mighty men of David were men who kept company with David during the days of his rejection and were, therefore, uniquely associated with him during his reign as king. In the language of the author of Hebrews, these are the kind of men and woman who esteem "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." (11:26)

Second Samuel chapter 23 is full of instruction and blessing for the earnest soul. It starts off by telling us: "These are the last words of David." Final words are important words and should always arrest the attention of the hearer. From verse 1 to 7 we have David's song, 8 to 23 lists various individuals and their deeds, and in verses 24 to 39 we have a more formal list consisting of individuals. Regarding our present meditation, we shall confine ourselves to verses 8 to 17.

In verse 8 we read: "These are the names of the mighty men" and are immediately reminded that God takes account of the faithful. Romans16 is a good New Testament passage to read in correlation to the chapter before us. How easily we forget that God takes note of our actions and is looking for faithfulness. Remember, the individuals before us are called "mighty," and, as we shall see, are so named, not because of their greatness in the eyes of men, but because of their faithfulness to David! For the Christian, David is a type of Christ and, therefore, it is faithfulness to Him that should be before our hearts. These are the kind of individuals that God takes note of and calls mighty!

Before examining some of these men, we offer a short outline to our reader regarding the three individuals we read of in 23:8-12.

The outline is as follows:

  1. A many people slain: (POWER) Joseb-Bassebeth
  2. A faithful bond seen: (COMMUNION) Eleazar
  3. A divine interest secured: (WITNESS) Shammah

The positioning of these themes is instructive. The central truth between the exercise of power and the defense of God's interests is communion with the Lord. Without this there shall be no power in our Christian walk and no witness in our Christian testimony.

Joseb-Bassebeth: A Many People Slain

Now in verse 8 of our present chapter we read about Joseb-Bassebeth. Not much is given regarding him. This should not frustrate us, for we are called upon to witness what he did, not necessary who he was. As we shall see, the same thing will be true in the case of Eleazar and Shammah.

Joseb-Bassebeth means: "He who sits in the first place." His name illustrates the position of one who can stand against the enemies of God until none remain, for...

"He fought against eight hundred, slain by him at one time."

What strength and power were displayed by this valiant warrior, ready and willing to fight all that would raise up a standard against God's anointed. Eight hundred slain "at one time." This is power.

And what about us? Are we in tune with the power of God in our lives? After all, the Christian knows Christ who is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:24) and can experience daily deliverance from the pitfalls of sin in the power of Christ's life. (Rom. 5:10) He is also guarded by the power of God (1 Pet. 1:5) and is sustained by His power during times of trial. (2 Tim. 1:8, 4:17) The Christian is given power to defeat spiritual enemies (Eph. 6:10) and minister to others. (Col. 1:29; 1 Tim. 1:12) Can we not say along with the apostle, "But to him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according to the power which works in us..." (Eph. 3:20) and "I have strength for all things in him that gives me power?" (Phil. 4:13) The Christian has no excuse for defeat if he is "strong in the Lord, and in the might of His strength." (Eph. 6:10) What enemy can stand before the believer who is willing to trust in Christ for power?

Please notice in the verse before us that the enemies are not here named. God passes by them in silence and highlights the valiant deed of Joseb-Bessebeth. Surely this simple fact has instruction for the Christian! When the Christian is engaged in spiritual warfare he sometimes has the tendency to focus on the enemy and not the deliverance he could have in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must remember that, while in conflict, the enemies we face are defeated foes and will be removed from the halls of Divine remembrance where there is a faithful saint willing to "brandish his spear" against all those opposed to Christ. God will remember us and the oppressors shall forever be forgotten.

Eleazar: A Faithful Bond Seen

And after him, Eleazar the son of Dodo the son of an Ahohite: he was one of the three mighty men with David, when they had defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone up. He arose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave to the sword; and Jehovah wrought a great deliverance that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. (2 Sam. 23:8-10)

Please notice the phrase "with David." This is what distinguished Eleazar from the rest - he would not depart from David during times of trouble. Eleazar would let nothing interrupt his communion with God's man. The "men of Israel," though with David during other times, would not be found with him during times of conflict. Instead, they are found running for the hills.

"He was one of the three mighty men with David, when they had defied the Philistines that were gathered together to do battle, and the men of Israel were gone up." (23:9)

Israel had gone up and was nowhere to be found! Sad commentary! Only three men, one of whom was Eleazar, were willing to face the fight with David. "The men of Israel were gone up."

There are many in Christendom today who could have these words written across their testimony. Many fail to maintain blessed communion with the Lord Jesus through a walk of faith and obedience. Christ and His interests are not everything to some. Sad reality! The result is that though Christians may rejoice in their salvation and blessings, when it comes to taking a stand with Christ, they, like Israel, "go up." They allow others to fight the fight and have no interest in the battle, other than returning when it's over and taking that which benefits themselves:

"and the people returned after him only to spoil." (23:10)

Oh, how many Christians today are more concerned with the blessings rather than the Blesser - the Lord Jesus Christ! The needs of self take pre-eminence over the needs of Christ! Indeed, the spoil would have been beneficial to the people (as blessings often are), but none enjoyed the presence of being "with David." None who fled got to experience the mighty delivering power of Jehovah and have their faith strengthened thereby. None are inscribed by name in the annals of Scripture as an everlasting testimony to the faithfulness of God. None are distinguished as "mighty men" who enjoyed nearness to David in his kingdom reign! The same realities could be true of Christians who are not in moment-by-moment communion with Jesus and continually fail as a disciple because of it. (see Rev. 3:5; 2:26) They have "no part with Christ" just as Israel had "no part with David" because of their departure from him.

Consider too the Christian who does not care to mine in the deep caverns of Scripture for himself, but will only sit back and watch what others uncover. He may indeed receive blessing through the ministry of another, but will never know the joy and fruit of having Christ expound to him personally "the things concerning himself."

Spoil may be good, but being with David is far better! May we be with Christ in every moment of every day!

"He arose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave to the sword..." (23:10)

Hands in Scripture often put before us man's work. What a blessed thing it must have been when the Lord displayed His nail-pierced hands to the disciples after His death. We behold those hands by faith. These are the loveliest hands in Scripture, for they speak of the accomplishment of redemption's work. He alone could do that work and, indeed, He did - in total obedience to the Father's will and wondrous love for you and me! Are there any greater hands than His? But consider for a moment the hands of Eleazar and what they speak of. Eleazar's hand gave it everything it had. He fought till he could fight no more. The unwearied hand puts before us that supernatural strength that sustains us in our service to God. Scripture abounds with many illustrations, but let him who is interested read 1st Corinthians 4:11-13 and behold the "unwearied hand" of one of God's dear servants. But, in the end, Eleazar's hand does grow weary and so we see that man's strength can fade when sincerity of heart stretches him beyond his limitations. Thank God that "those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength!" (Isa. 40:31)

Note, too, that his hand "clave to the sword." I believe we have the sword of the Spirit before us - the Word of God, held and used with the energy of faith. Energy in conflict or service is never enough. It must be according to God's Word. Eleazar's zeal was according to knowledge. This should be true of the Christian also. Like our Master during His trial in the wilderness, we should be able to meet every attack of the enemy with the words: "it is written..." May we so cleave to the Sacred Book!

Lastly, let us recognize that what made this man "mighty" was not his own personal strength, but the fact that he was with God's anointed man. It was Jehovah who "wrought a great deliverance that day," not Eleazar. (23:10) God deals with Christians on the basis of His Son and the more of Christ we enjoy, the more in tune we shall be with His work in our lives - the more intelligent will be our service and stand. The Christian is commanded to "be strong in the Lord (not himself), and in the might of His strength." (Eph. 6:10) When Eleazar was with David he saw God's mighty deliverance. When Christians are with the Lord Jesus Christ and willing to trust Him, they shall witness the might of His glorious strength in their lives, even if all others flee and they are left just two or three!

Shammah: A Divine Interest Secured

It was God's purpose that His people enter into the land of Canaan and claim it as their own possession. This purpose was revealed to Abraham (Gen.12:1-7), was re-affirmed to his son Isaac (Gen. 26:3), and to those who were led out of Egypt by Moses (Ex. 23:31). All of the land was very precious to God and He cared for it:

"For the land, whither thou enterest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs; but the land, whereunto ye are passing over to possess it, is a land of mountains and valleys, which drinketh water of the rain of heaven, a land which Jehovah thy God careth for; the eyes of Jehovah thy God are constantly upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year." (Deu. 11:10-12)

The Promised Land was geographically suited in such a way so as to highlighted God's divine provision through "the rain of heaven," rather than what man could produce by his own labors. God would bring "heavenly blessing" to them in a land that was precious to His own heart, where His eyes are "constantly upon it."

One must recognize the Divine perspective of the land in order to truly appreciate the stand that Shammah took.

"And after him, Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite: the Philistines were gathered into a troop, and there was there a plot of ground full of lentils..." (2 Sam. 23:11)

The scene before us is striking. We see the Philistines gathered in military formation and ready to attack the hosts of Israel. We are also directed to view a small plot of ground where some beans are growing. Strange scenario! What are we to make of this? We shall soon see, but first let us ask: Where are the Israelites?

"...and the people had fled before the Philistines..." (23:11)

The people of God are fleeing! Did we not see this with Eleazar also (see vs. 9)? Oh, how the faithful are often left standing alone. This was ultimately true in the life of our Lord: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, it abides alone." (John 12:24) The Lord, God's grain of wheat, was (before His death) alone upon this earth. There was nowhere in this dark world that His holy soul could find true rest. (Lk. 9:58) And let us also recall these solemn words: "Then saith Jesus to them, 'All ye shall be offended in me during this night. For it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.'" (Mt 26:31) Failure and sin pressed all around Him during His life. On the eve of His death even His close friends deserted Him. Praise God for His willingness to redeem us though we "hid our faces" in contempt and shame at Him. (Isa. 53:3) It was only until after His death that Christ enjoys the company of the redeemed, having won them by His perfect work. (Heb. 2:11-12) Consider too the apostle Paul, God's faithful servant, who was also left alone towards the end of his life - "all who are in Asia (many Christian assemblies)...have turned away from me." (2 Tim. 2:15; see also 4:9-10; 4:16) Sadly, those who would be truly faithful to the Lord often find themselves rejected by the masses and embraced by the few! We could trace this principle throughout the Scripture, but let us continue...

"...and he [Shammah] stood in the midst of the plot and delivered it, and smote the Philistines, and Jehovah wrought a great deliverance." (vs. 12)

Shammah knew that God's eyes never departed from His land. He also knew that the land was not given to the Philistines, but to Israel. It was this knowledge, the knowledge of what God considered important, that lay behind His willingness to defend the plot of lentils. And notice the language of the verse before us. Shammah "delivered it." Delivered what? A ground full of beans! The people saw lentils and ran. Shammah saw the land that God loved and stood his ground. What many often consider meager and insignificant may have quite a different character from the divine perspective! The challenge for us is gaining His perspective by knowing His mind. Scripture opens up for us the mind of God and also tells us what we as Christians have been given.

Reader, are you willing to defend what God considers important, even though it might seem meager in the eyes of others? Are you willing to defend what God has given you? Do you even know what God has given you? Unlike Israel, it is not now earthly blessings, but rather, spiritual blessings bound up in a Person. That Person is the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ." (Eph. 1:3)

Israel was to receive God's earthly blessings in the land, but the Christian is to enjoy God's spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ! This is what God has given us - all spiritual blessings in Christ.

Just as God's eyes were constantly upon the land, they are constantly upon His Son - "This is my Beloved Son in whom is all my delight." "The Father loves the Son." "The only-begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father." All of the Father's delight is in the Son! Though the Son enjoys a place of unique privilege in the councils and affections of the Father, we, the redeemed of the Lord, are in Him, "in the Beloved!" (Eph. 1:6) Just as Israel was called to enjoy God's blessings in the land, you and I are called to enjoy God's blessings in Christ! This is one of God's major purposes for us.

In Ephesians the believer learns about God's heavenly calling in Christ. Here, the Christian's blessings are in the heavenlies (1:3), he is seated with Christ in the heavenlies (2:6), and he is to do battle with the "spiritual power of wickedness in the heavenlies" (6:12). Simply put, Ephesians is a "heavenly epistle" where we learn about our blessings in Christ, our position in (and responsibility to) Christ, and our warfare against those powers that would keep us from enjoying both our blessings and position in Christ.

Now you cannot do battle with the enemy unless you, like Shammah, are in tune with God's purposes and willing to defend those purposes no matter how meager they may seem in the eyes of men! In Ephesians, all God's purposes center upon and find their fulfillment in the Son. God has made known to us the mystery of His will - to head up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth. (Eph.1:10) From this we learn that God's purposes have to do with the supreme exaltation of His Son. This will happen in a future day (during His reign upon the earth), but we should be walking in the spirit of it now, owning His lordship over all.

Many assume that all believers are in tune with God's purposes in Christ and are, therefore, qualified to engage in the warfare of Eph. 6, but this is not the case! Many, like Israel, flee because they are unconcerned about maintaining the interests of Christ in this world. The earthly enjoyments, luxuries, liberties, music, arts, religious traditions, ect. hold more fascination for them than Christ Himself. Remember, the warfare of Eph. 6 is against spiritual foes "in the heavenlies" (vs. 12) and pre-supposes that you are walking in the heavenlies in order to do battle in the heavenlies. Only faithful Christians who are enjoying God's purposes in Christ (Ch. 1-3), applying those purposes to their understanding of the assembly (Ch. 4), to their relationships at home (Ch. 5:22-6:1-4), and to their responsibilities at work (Ch. 6:5-9) will be considered a threat to the enemy and involved in what is often referred to as "spiritual warfare." (6:10-20)

So what is Christ to you, dear reader? Do you see Him as a meager plot of lentils not worth defending? Or do you see Him as the One in whom all of God's councils center in. Many in Christendom view Him as the former, but a "mighty man" would see Him as the latter. May we be willing to stand for Christ in difficult days, even when our brethren flee, so that God's interests can be secured and a godly witness seen!

The Three Chiefs: Lessons in Adullam

Here we read of three individuals who go down to be with David in a cave. As we've mentioned at the beginning of our meditation, David was in rejection. He was in the cave of Adullam because he was hiding from Saul and from his enemies. (see 1 Sam. 19:18; 21:1; 21:10; 22:1). David had superceded Saul as king, having been anointed by Samuel the prophet (1 Sam.16:13), but was not openly acknowledge as such because of Saul's vengeance. The faithful that dared to acknowledge David as God's anointed sought him out, despite the personal threat to themselves.

Adullam teaches us many spiritual lessons, but we shall examine what I believe to be two major points of instruction.

One lesson it teaches us is that Christ is willing to receive all those who would come to him, being Himself a source of hope to the downcast in a day of distress - "And every one in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one of embittered spirit collected round him: and he became a captain over them..." (1 Sam. 22:2) What blessed words - "Every one!" We could write across them the following phrase: "whosoever will, may come." The distressed, those in need and those who are downcast come to David at Adullam.

Do you remember that blessed scene in Mark 1:32-34 when our Lord, standing in the doorway at evening time, healed all the sick and suffering that came to Him. Christ is always in the place of accessibility to faith. He is accessible to the needy and to the downcast. Though hid from the eyes of the world, a contrite heart that readily acknowledges its need for Him shall find him and be blessed. "Come to me, all ye who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." There is rest to be had in the cave, for in Hebrew, "Adullam" means resting place.

But there is a second lesson that Adullam teaches us: Christian's who follow a rejected Christ will be dead to the world and an offence to it. It is in this character that we see Adullam presented to us in second Samuel 23. Let us notice some points of interest.

"And three of the thirty chiefs went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam when the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim." (23:13)

Who are these three chiefs? Some have suggested that they are the three mighty men that we have been examining; Joseb-Bassebeth, Eleazar and Shammah. But this would be a guess. The Spirit of God does not give their names. There is divine wisdom in this, for they are presented to us in the character of humble servants and what true servant of Christ draws attention to himself? We do not have their names because it is what they do, not who they are, that we are called upon to witness. They, like John the Baptist, are simply "a voice," dwelling in obscurity so that Christ alone receives all the glory.

These unnamed men enter the cave with David in the harvest time. Strange scenario! One does not go into a cave during the "harvest time," but enjoys the fruits of the earth! But these men would not. For how could they enjoy the fruit of the land when the true king was rejected? How could they love what the earth produced if David was unable to enjoy those fruits also? David was rejected and in hiding, therefore, they would suffer with him in Adullam.

The Lord Jesus was a Man of Sorrows when He was upon the earth. The sad effects of the curse and sin grieved His holy heart. He could take no pleasure in a world that rejected Him, thus the imperative of the cross. (John 12:31-33) While upon the earth He would not partake of the fruit of the vine (a symbol of earthly joy) until He returned and reigned in His kingdom! (Lk. 22:18) He is now in glory, waiting for His enemies to be made a "footstool for His feet." (Heb.1:13) When He returns in judgment and reigns in righteousness He shall be a Man of Joy, delighting in a scene where His name has been righteously vindicated. Then the "day of the harvest" will come and the righteous will be gathered into the kingdom. (Mt. 13:30)

Today is the day of Christ's rejection, not the day of harvest. Satan, the "prince of this world," has not yet been de-throned (though his power be broken). Like Saul, the enemy of souls still seeks to threaten those who would draw near to the Lord's Anointed, the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who would be true to Christ must be willing to suffer with Him. Now is not the time for reigning upon the earth (enjoying this world and the things in it), but suffering with a rejected Christ for "those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12) The cave is not a popular place, for it puts us in a place of obscurity and calls us to suffering. Those who dwell there will not be taken account of by those outside in the world, but they will be known by the One who dwells therein...

Notice, they "go down..." Standing with a rejected Christ in a day of hostility requires not only strength but also self-humiliation. It is in "going down," laying aside self and pride, that we will be able to take the kind of stand that is required of us as Christ's disciples.

The Spirit of God goes on to tell us that these men entered the cave when the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim. There are two things to be noted here. First, these three men go to David during a day when the enemies of God's people were in the land. They were faithful in a day of ruin and oppression, when the true king was hidden from the eyes of the world and not openly recognized. What a lesson for the Christian! Christ is hidden from the eyes of the world - "Yet a little while and the world sees me no longer..." (John 14:19) This was accomplished when He ascended into heaven. But He is not hidden to the eyes of faith, to those who are near Him: "But ye see me..." This blessed beholding, this "manifestation", can only be had by those who dwell in communion with Christ, the faithful who are hid with Christ from the eyes of this world and are willing to love and obey Him alone: "He that has my commandments and keeps them, (the faithful) he it is that loves me; but he that loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." (John 14:21) The faithful Christian proves his love for Christ through obedience to His will. Love to Christ is the motive of Christian obedience. While Christ indwells all believers, those who are faithful to Him enjoy a personal manifestation in their lives that those who are unfaithful do not. This accounts for the deep lack of spiritual reality in many saint's lives. The disobedient Christian does not enjoy this personal manifestation of Christ; therefore, they lack a personal and dynamic walk with the risen Savior. He is not manifest in their lives, for they cannot see Him and their walk reflects their sad blindness. (see also 2 Pet. 1:5-11)

We need reality in a day where there is much profession and confusion, when the enemies and oppressors of God's people are all around. May we, like these men, have the courage to identify ourselves with the greater Son of David (who is in glory, but coming soon) during this day of idle profession, sin, and conflict.

A second point we learn from verse 13 is that these men were willing to face obstacles that seemingly prevented them from accomplishing David's desire. The valley lay to the east of Adullam and to the west of Bethlehem. It was between the cave and David's city, an obstacle for those in the cave who desired to enter Bethlehem. But not only was the enemy in Rephaim, he was also in the Bethlehem!

"And David was then in the stronghold; and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem." (23:14)

Enemies lay in between and enemies were where David should be. Does this not sound like our day? Obstacles lay before the Christian all around and though Christ should be owned in this world, the enemy holds the territory for now. But, as we shall see, to those who are near Christ and faithful to His will, all the enemy's forces cannot deter them who are "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me to drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is in the gate! And the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, which is in the gate, and took it, and brought it to David...(23:15-16)

David "longed" and David "said." Reader, meditate on this. Here we see a heart desiring and a word given. It is not simply the word, but the heart from which the word springs. David did not command that water be brought to Him, he simply desired it. And what is the response of these three men? They head out to fulfill David's desire, not because they had to, but because they wanted to, despite the fact that the enemy was "in the gate" - the most heavily guarded part of the city!

When the heart comes to grips with the grace of God in Christ then the motive of our service no longer remains a mere legal response to some command of Scripture, but, rather, becomes a loving answering to the heart that lay behind the Word. Such a response can only come as a result of time spent with the Lord in communion, at the throne of grace. And when one rises up to service after kneeling before the throne, no "enemy in the gate" can stop him. Do you suppose those Israelites (who were God's people) outside the cave were close enough to hear David words? No. Only those who had drawn close to David, who were close enough to hear, were able to respond in such a way. He who has ears let him hear!

And what is it that David desire's? Is it some high and lofty prize? Some great work that all may take note of? No. It is a little work, a lowly work - a simple drink of water. In the ancient world, the service of giving another a drink of water was the servant's tasks, a lowly task. Unlike the message so often heard in Christendom, God does not call us to do great things, He calls us to His great Son. Moment by moment acts of quiet faithfulness done in the presence of Jesus speak more to the heart of God than all the high and great religious activity done in the world for the eyes of men.

"...however he (David) would not drink of it, but poured it out to Jehovah. And he said, 'Be it far from me, Jehovah, that I should do this thing! Is it not the blood of the men that went at the risk of their lives?' Therefore, he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men." (23:16-17)

Rather than accept the gift, David pours it out to Jehovah in acknowledging the greatness of their deed. So it is with the Lord Jesus Christ. Every little act of faithfulness shown in His name will be acknowledge by Him and receive a reward in the day to come. (Mr. 9:41) Those mighty men who suffered with David in His rejection were associated with Him in his kingdom reign in a way that not all Israel was. They were faithful and endured; therefore, they reigned with David. The same is true for the Christian. Paul says it this way, "If we endure, we shall also reign together..." (2 Tim. 2:12) May it be so!


Vin Santanelli