As we move along in our Proverbs 31 Men series, let's look this week at two men who were among 37 others identified in the Bible as David's mighty men in 2 Samuel 23:8-39. All these men were known for great exploits while serving David's throne, but three of them were singled out for exceptional and meritorious service. Let's look at two of the three in this Memo.
MIGHTY WARRIORS
Here is what we know of Eleazar and Shammah, two of three men given special notoriety among the others:
Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead (2 Samuel 23:9-10).
Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory (2 Samuel 23:11-12).
Both men took a stand and produced a great victory to Israel's army in their battle against the Philistines. It is hard to imagine two men obtaining such singlehanded results in battle but they both stood their ground and God worked with and through them to do great, seemingly impossible things. It reminds me of the verse in Hebrews 11:34 that describes some of the heroes of faith: ". . . whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." Perhaps that verse was written with the mighty men in mind.
Often we want the Lord to strengthen us and then we will consent to go into battle. Hebrews 11:34 tells us that we must first go into battle and only then will we realize the strength of the Lord. Notice in both cases that the army had abandoned Eleazar and Shammah, leaving them to fight alone. They "retreated" and "fled" but both those men showed great courage and resolve, took a stand, and fought so long and hard that when they went to put their weapon down, they could not, for their hands had frozen in the grip position.
A STAKE IN THE GROUND
I have often used the phrase "drive a stake into the ground" and had no idea of its origin. Some say it was for homesteaders who drove a stake in the ground to identify the land they were claiming. It turns out that is also seems to have been a battle strategy used by Native Americans who would tie a rope around their warriors' ankles, tie that rope to a stake, and then drive the stake in the ground. That meant the warriors fought in place and could not retreat; they were totally committed to the battle. Without the help of the rope or stake, that is exactly what Eleazar and Shammah did. And it's what more men need to do today if the Church and God's kingdom are to have their maximum impact.
We don't know much about these two men. Were they big and strong? Did they have exceptional fighting or martial arts skills? Were they from a military family? One thing we do know is that they had courage to stand in the day of trouble and wage war on behalf of their people. We need Proverbs 31 men who will do the same today, who will take a stand in a field, holding only the sword of the Word and the Spirit, and battle for the truth of God and for those who cannot fight for themselves. Like in 2 Samuel 23, many men have retreated and fled to find comfort and distraction in leisure, sports, or other diversions, while only a few stand and fight. I want to see an army of mighty men, not macho in their approach to others, but confident in who they are in Christ and the power they have in Him.
It is interesting that these men were not identified until David's last words were recorded in 2 Samuel 23:1-7. These mighty men were hidden in David just like we are hidden in Christ. He is our leader and captain, and it is for Him that we take our stand. I invite everyone, men and women, to strive to become a might person in Christ, but I especially invite my brothers to join me as we courageously oppose our culture's message in order to be mighty men of God in our generation. Have a blessed week!
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