David's Mighty Men: The 37 Men Who Stood With David At The Cave Of Adullam Series

"Leonidas, King of Sparta, was preparing to make a stand with his Greek troops against the Persian army in 480 B.C. when a Persian envoy arrived. The man urged on Leonidas the futility of trying to resist the advance of the huge Persian army. "Our archers are so numerous," said the envoy, "that the flight of their arrows darkens the sun."

"So much the better," replied Leonidas, "for we shall fight them in the shade." Leonidas made his stand, and died with his 300 troops."

-Today in the Word, November 4, 1993.

Starting in verse 8 of second Samuel 23 it says this, “These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.”

One thing to notice here is that David had an inner circle of three, they were called “the three.” Jesus also had an inner circle. He had his 12 disciples, but he also had the three, Peter, James and John.

First point today, have people in your life you can confide in. Who is your inner circle? Who are your closest friends? We all need an inner circle, people we trust and can rely on.

Josheb was a great warrior, one of the three. Fought bravely in battle.

Next we hear of Eleazar, in verses 9-10, “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.”

One man stayed behind as Israel retreated from the battle, Eleazar, and he fought until his hand grew so tired that it “froze to the sword” we understand that to mean he fought so long that his muscles cramped up.

Here we find our second point for today, never give up. Be bold, turn and fight, and never give up. Fight and fight and fight, even when you can’t fight any longer. Fight until your muscles ache, be persistent. Don’t give up.

Next in verses 11-12, “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.”

So we’ve now seen the heroes of the three, Jashib, Eleazar and Shammah. What was distinctive about the three? When no one else was around, it was just one guy, they fought and didn’t give up.

One against many.

What’s the distinguishing factor? Bravery.

Point three today, bravery is a hallmark of a Christian. A true follower of Jesus is brave and bold. They know God is with them.

Notice for Shammah, it’s stated clearly, the Lord brought about a great victory. It wasn’t Shammah. Shammah was brave and held true.

What is bravery? You feel the fear and do it anyway. You push through in faith. Faith overcomes any fear. You feel it, you do it anyway. God grants the victory.

Next in verses 13-17 we see a defining event of the three, Josheb, Eleazar and Shammah.

It says, “During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.” Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors."

This was long ago, when David was hiding in a cave from King Saul. This was long before David became king.

The three love David so much, when he says he wishes for a drink from his well in Bethlehem, where he grew up, they sneak out and risk danger and death, they gather water from the well and bring it back to David.