David And His Kingdom Series

David and His Team

Text: 2 Samuel 23:8-38

Introduction: Man, after God’s own heart was forgotten by all, hatred by all but at the wend highly honoured by all. Because of his strong trust in the Lord. Today we meditate about David and His Kingdom based on some passages from 1 and 2 Samuel.

1. He became a leader of the Least

Borra caves in Andhra Pradesh. It is located in the Anathagiri hills of the Araku Valley at 2313 sq. ft. on the east coast of India. Narrow entry leads to inside the caves we can see like a village. Men in those days escaped from the wild animals and enemies. Same way, David escaped from Saul and went to the cave of Adullam (1 Sam.22:1-2). Adullam is located in the Elah valley. It has many caves which are roomy and dry and as dwelling by nomads. Adullam means ‘hiding place’. But in Arabic it means “turn aside”. Adullam also means ‘retreat and refuge’.

Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, everyone who was discontented joined with him. these were numbered about 400. His regiment was not made up of strong men, rich men but weak and needy. He was building the camp from the scratches. Mathew Henry comments: “God uses the weak instruments to fulfil his own purposes”. He had shown his leadership for the social justice of the times; he took the issues of every one as his one and wanted to do justice for them.

David refused to fight in an unethical way waiting for God’s own time. He had very strong belief that God’s ordained are not ordinary. He approached in a rightful way. 2 Sam 5:10 says day by day he became very strong, became greater and greater. 1 Chr 12:22 says “indeed from day to day people kept coming to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God”.

2. He became a King of all Israel.

He was from the tribe of Judah. It was very difficult for him to win the heart of other clans, tribes and nationals. First, he struggled to be recognized and to be accepted as king who was ordained and appointed by God. The Saul’s family was fighting with him. Many who are doubtful on his commitment, integrity, faithfulness were against him.

He had to fight nearly seven and half years to establish his kingdom and to become a king of All.

‘There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. David grew stronger and stronger and the house of Saul became weaker and weaker’ (2 Sam.3:1).it is futile to save the man-made ideas against God’s will (1 Chr.12:29). we can’t succeed against God’s will. Abner was his main opponent, a very talented and skilful commander, intelligent and mighty man but he was fighting against the God’s appointed king. “Right man at the wrong camp”. Benjamites continued to keep their strong allegiance to the house of Saul. (I Chr.12:29). But the tribes of Issachar had understanding of the times(1Chr.12:32), also the Zebulun helped David with singleness of the purpose to increase the kingdom (1 Chr.12:33). Gamaliel says in Ac.5:38-39 ‘so in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this understanding is of human origin, it will fail; but if is of God you will not be able to overthrow them- in that case you may even be found fighting against God”.

A true fellowship was cultivated among all of them so there was a great joy among Israel (Read: 1 Chr.12:40)

3. He became an Emperor

Four Bulls and a Lion. Always victory lies in unity and defeat and death in division.

God’s purpose for choosing David was David to establish God’s kingdom on the earth. A kingdom with righteousness, justice, equity. Isaiah 9:6-7 would have been fulfilled during the days of David. But Satan spoiled all the plans by misleading the citizens of Israel.

However, David had a beautiful team to work with him. It seems that the chief men were numbered in sets of 30, perhaps being leaders of various divisions of army. The standing army of Israelites numbered into 288000 divided into 12 monthly courses of 24000 each. We can see it from (1 Chr.27:2-15). David had 52 mighty men with him.

David’s army was composed of people with different personalities, such as, Joshobeam (Adino 1Chr.11:10, 2Sam.23:8) Eleazer (v.12), Abishai (v.20), Benaiah (v.22) Joab, Shammah (like lions, roes and valiant); people with varieties of talents (one was best at shooting. Another was best at leading yet another one was good at counselling some others were good at mighty works).

David’s team members were from different places like Tachmony, Athinoeshni, Kabshael, Bethlehem, Gibeah, Kakas, Carmel etc., yet they worked together for common cause and purpose. Main purpose was expanding God’s justice, peace through David and his kingdom.