David’s Mighty Men

DAVID’S MIGHTY MEN

2 Sam. 23:8-12, 18-23

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Many times, life requires us to have courage.

2. We're going to be looking at courage this morning.

3. “NO NOVOCAIN”

a. A woman and her husband interrupted their vacation to go to a dentist. "I want a tooth pulled, and I don't want Novocain because I’m in a big hurry," the woman said.

b. The dentist was quite impressed. "You're certainly a courageous woman," he said. "Which tooth is it?"

c. The woman turned to her husband and said, "Show him your tooth, dear."

B. TEXT

8 These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. 9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, 10 but he 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. 11 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. 12 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.

18 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them. 20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. 23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

C. THESIS

1. There are Mighty Men today in the world. Olympic athletes -- especially weightlifters, wrestlers, etc. And there’s great football athletes – men of speed and strength.

2. David’s Mighty Men are not in the Bible just to incite idle curiosity, but to teach us something.

3. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work" 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

4. GOD WANTS US TO BE MIGHTY MEN/WOMEN of GOD TODAY! He wants us to be:

a. "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" Eph. 6:10.

b. "But mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" 2 Cor. 10:4.

5. These Mighty Men were put in the Bible to teach us the qualities that will make us mighty men and women of God. We should adopt these qualities.

I. JOSHEB-BASSHEBETH

A. KNOWN INFORMATION

1. Name = "Sitting in the Council" - envisions a high position.

2. Feat(s)?

a. Killed 800 men in one encounter.

3. Crowning Quality? He was full of the "Power of the Spirit."

4. How do we know this?

a. Had to be supernatural/by the Power of the Spirit.

b. Think: Samson had the Spirit come on him and killed 1000 men with the jawbone of a donkey.

c. Josheb’s could be no less the power of God's spirit.

d. Josheb essentially had the strength of 800 men!

B. POWER OF THE SPIRIT – WE NEED!

1. Importance? The Works of God can't be done by natural means.

2. If we want to be MIGHTY  WE MUST HAVE POWER FROM GOD.

3. How does it come? From being filled with the Holy Spirit.

4. SCRIPTURES

a. "The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon" Samson -- so he tore the lion apart with his bare hands

-- so he killed 1000 men.

b. Micah 3:8, "I am full of Power by the Spirit of the Lord."

c. Zech. 4:6, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord of hosts."