Showing posts with label Soldiers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soldiers. Show all posts
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Giant Killers
Reflections on 2 Samuel 21:15-22 and 1 Chronicles 20:4-8
During the course of the Philistine wars, David's men killed four giants. The first was Ishbi-Benob whose spearhead weighed almost eight pounds, half the weight of Goliath's spearhead. He was threatening David, who had become weary, when Abishai, David's nephew, came to his rescue and killed the giant. Abishai was also one of his mighty soldiers (see 2 Samuel 23:18-19), greater than the thirty but not as great as the three. Sibbecai killed the second giant named Saph at a place called Gob. Elhanan killed a third giant who is called Goliath here, but he is called Lahmi the brother of Goliath in 1 Chronicles 20:5. Finally, David's nephew Jonathan killed the fourth Philistine giant, who was an unusual man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.
These exploits remind us that a Christians we must both stand alone against the multitudes opposed the knowledge of our God and our Savior and be willing to face the giants who would harm us. God gives the victory to those who are faithful even to death.
Hall of Fame (Part Three)
Reflections on 2 Samuel 23:24-39 and 1 Chronicles 11:26-47
Those who visit the Vietnam War Memorial often are looking for one specific name, perhaps a father, brother, or son. Most of the other names on the wall are unknown to them, yet the list of names adds something to the meaning of the one name they are looking for. Similarly, relatives of the men on David's list may not have known everyone on the list, but those relatives would have taken great satisfaction that one of their own family was included.
The following names in 1Samuel 23 are listed elsewhere in the story of David: 1) Asahel and 2) Joab, David's nephews. Asahel (v. 24) was killed by Abner during the war between the house of Saul and David. Joab (v. 37) led the attack on Jerusalem and became commander of David's army. 3) Naharai, Joab's armor-bearer (v. 37). 4) Jonathan (v. 32), the son of Shammah, who was one of the Three (2 Samuel 23:11-12). 5) Eliam and 6) Uriah the Hittite. Eliam (v. 34) was the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, who was one of David's most trusted advisers (2 Samuel 15:12). Eliam was also the father of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3). Uriah the Hittite (v. 39) was the husband of Bathsheba.
Each month of the year, David had a different division of his army on active duty. Each division consisted of 24,000 men. Several of the thirty mighty men were commanders of these divisions: Helez (2 Samuel 23:26) was commander of the division on duty during the seventh month of the year (1 Chronicles 27:10), Ira the son of Ikkesh (2 Samuel 23:26) was commander of the division on duty during the sixth month of the year (1 Chronicles 27:9), Abiezer (2 Samuel 23:27) was commander of the division on duty during the ninth month (1 Chronicles 27:12), Maharai (2 Samuel 23:28) was commander of the division on duty on duty during the tenth month (1 Chronicles 27:13), and Benaiah the Pirathonite (2 Samuel 23:30) commander of the division on duty during the eleventh month (1 Chronicles 27:14).
Those who visit the Vietnam War Memorial often are looking for one specific name, perhaps a father, brother, or son. Most of the other names on the wall are unknown to them, yet the list of names adds something to the meaning of the one name they are looking for. Similarly, relatives of the men on David's list may not have known everyone on the list, but those relatives would have taken great satisfaction that one of their own family was included.
The following names in 1Samuel 23 are listed elsewhere in the story of David: 1) Asahel and 2) Joab, David's nephews. Asahel (v. 24) was killed by Abner during the war between the house of Saul and David. Joab (v. 37) led the attack on Jerusalem and became commander of David's army. 3) Naharai, Joab's armor-bearer (v. 37). 4) Jonathan (v. 32), the son of Shammah, who was one of the Three (2 Samuel 23:11-12). 5) Eliam and 6) Uriah the Hittite. Eliam (v. 34) was the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, who was one of David's most trusted advisers (2 Samuel 15:12). Eliam was also the father of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3). Uriah the Hittite (v. 39) was the husband of Bathsheba.
Each month of the year, David had a different division of his army on active duty. Each division consisted of 24,000 men. Several of the thirty mighty men were commanders of these divisions: Helez (2 Samuel 23:26) was commander of the division on duty during the seventh month of the year (1 Chronicles 27:10), Ira the son of Ikkesh (2 Samuel 23:26) was commander of the division on duty during the sixth month of the year (1 Chronicles 27:9), Abiezer (2 Samuel 23:27) was commander of the division on duty during the ninth month (1 Chronicles 27:12), Maharai (2 Samuel 23:28) was commander of the division on duty on duty during the tenth month (1 Chronicles 27:13), and Benaiah the Pirathonite (2 Samuel 23:30) commander of the division on duty during the eleventh month (1 Chronicles 27:14).
Hall of Fame (Part Two)
Reflections on 2 Samuel 23:18-23 and 1 Chronicles 11:20-25
Abishai was the brother of Joab and son of David's sister Zeruiah (1 Chronicles 2:13-14). He had gone with David by night into Saul's camp (1 Samuel 26:6-9). He had plotted with his brother Joab to kill Abner to avenge the death of Asahel (2 Samuel 3:30). Whenever Joab divided the army, Abishai often commanded the second part (2 Samuel 10:10). He had also slain the giant Ishbi-Benob when he was about to kill David (2 Samuel 21:17). Here, he is remembered for killing 300 men with his spear, a feat comparable to the feats of the three mighty men. Although Abishai was not numbered with the three might men, he was their commander.
Benaiah's father, Jehoiada, was a priest and the commander of the soldiers from the family of Aaron who had gone to Hebron with the northern tribes when they made David king of all Israel (1 Chronicles 12:27). As a priest, Benaiah had participated in bringing the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:16 ff.). Although of a priestly line, Benaiah was a brave soldier. He had slain two of Moab's best soldiers, killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day, and armed with only a club, he had disarmed an Egyptian and killed him with his own spear. Benaiah was put in charge of David's bodyguard and of the standing army in the third month (1 Chronicles 27:5-6).
Abishai was the brother of Joab and son of David's sister Zeruiah (1 Chronicles 2:13-14). He had gone with David by night into Saul's camp (1 Samuel 26:6-9). He had plotted with his brother Joab to kill Abner to avenge the death of Asahel (2 Samuel 3:30). Whenever Joab divided the army, Abishai often commanded the second part (2 Samuel 10:10). He had also slain the giant Ishbi-Benob when he was about to kill David (2 Samuel 21:17). Here, he is remembered for killing 300 men with his spear, a feat comparable to the feats of the three mighty men. Although Abishai was not numbered with the three might men, he was their commander.
Benaiah's father, Jehoiada, was a priest and the commander of the soldiers from the family of Aaron who had gone to Hebron with the northern tribes when they made David king of all Israel (1 Chronicles 12:27). As a priest, Benaiah had participated in bringing the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:16 ff.). Although of a priestly line, Benaiah was a brave soldier. He had slain two of Moab's best soldiers, killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day, and armed with only a club, he had disarmed an Egyptian and killed him with his own spear. Benaiah was put in charge of David's bodyguard and of the standing army in the third month (1 Chronicles 27:5-6).
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Hall of Fame
Reflections on 2 Samuel 23:8-12 and 21:15-22
Major League Baseball and the National Football League both have a Hall of Fame where the careers and feats of famous athletes are memorialized. The exploits of David's mightiest men are recounted in the summaries at the end of his life, but those exploits probably occurred during the wars with the Philistines before the fall of their principle city, Metheg Ammah (Gath), mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:1.
MIGHTY MEN. David's three mightiest men had broken through Philistine lines and brought water to David from Bethlehem. The first of these was Josheb-Basshebeth (or Jashobeam, 1 Chronicles 11:11), who killed 800 men in one encounter. The second of David's three mightiest men was Eleazar. When David's men retreated before the Philistines, he refused to flee and fought alone until his hand was "frozen" to his sword. When David's men returned, they found that he had already won the victory. The third of David's mightiest men was Shammah, who by himself defended a field of lintels against the raiding Philistines when the other Israelites had fled. Through these men who dared to stand when all others fled, God turned the tide of the battle and gave Israel the victory.
GRATEFUL TO THE LORD. Baal Perazim was near Adullam, where David had earlier hidden from Saul. Perhaps at this time, three of his soldiers demonstrated their devotion and bravery after David expressed his desire for a drink from the well at Bethlehem, which was occupied by Philistines. They undertook the dangerous mission, broke through the Philistine lines, and brought David water from the well at Bethlehem. David was so overwhelmed by their devotion and bravery that he could not drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord (2 Samuel 23:13-17; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19).
Major League Baseball and the National Football League both have a Hall of Fame where the careers and feats of famous athletes are memorialized. The exploits of David's mightiest men are recounted in the summaries at the end of his life, but those exploits probably occurred during the wars with the Philistines before the fall of their principle city, Metheg Ammah (Gath), mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:1.
MIGHTY MEN. David's three mightiest men had broken through Philistine lines and brought water to David from Bethlehem. The first of these was Josheb-Basshebeth (or Jashobeam, 1 Chronicles 11:11), who killed 800 men in one encounter. The second of David's three mightiest men was Eleazar. When David's men retreated before the Philistines, he refused to flee and fought alone until his hand was "frozen" to his sword. When David's men returned, they found that he had already won the victory. The third of David's mightiest men was Shammah, who by himself defended a field of lintels against the raiding Philistines when the other Israelites had fled. Through these men who dared to stand when all others fled, God turned the tide of the battle and gave Israel the victory.
GRATEFUL TO THE LORD. Baal Perazim was near Adullam, where David had earlier hidden from Saul. Perhaps at this time, three of his soldiers demonstrated their devotion and bravery after David expressed his desire for a drink from the well at Bethlehem, which was occupied by Philistines. They undertook the dangerous mission, broke through the Philistine lines, and brought David water from the well at Bethlehem. David was so overwhelmed by their devotion and bravery that he could not drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord (2 Samuel 23:13-17; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19).
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