Intro: In I Sam. 22:1-2 we see David gathered needy people – the distressed, those who were in debt, the discontented. David took this group of 400 men who were a liability to him. Yet, he built a mighty army for God. Later, there were 600 such valiant men (I Sam. 27:2); of which 37 were outstanding (II Sam. 23:20-39). From the finest 37 men, there arose 3 chief valiant men. Compare: Gideon’s men = 32,000 – 22,000 – 300; Jesus’ first disciples = 500 – 70 – 12 – 3 (Peter, James and John).
Our passage is about David’s top 3 mighty warriors. Here, we see three men who would not permit circumstances to defeat them. If we had people with attitude like these in our church, we would be able to further the Kingdom of God effectively. The first person is –
I. A MAN WHO WILL FACE THE ODDS (v. 8)
A. ADINO (“He who sits”) was chief of the captains in David’s army and was famous for killing 800 enemy soldiers "at one time."
B. Odds of 800 to 1. That is great odds! Most normal people would never even attempt to face much less overcome that kind of odds. However, Adino slew all 800 at one time! He didn’t ever stop to rest. He took them on one at a time (cf. Josh. 23:10).
C. Recall the odds that David faced against Goliath. Goliath was nearly 10 feet tall. His armor weighed 137 pounds. How could a teenager as David, face and beat a giant warrior? Yet, he did!
D. The odds are against us in reaching our area for Christ. Satan puts up every hindrance possible. There is every kind of Sunday activity – malls, fiestas, gatherings, meetings, jobs, sidelines, etc.
E. What can we do to overcome such odds? We can do it just like Adino did. He could have said, “After all we’re outnumbered and I have a family to raise.” But he didn’t. Rather, v. 8b says “....he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time” That’s facing the odds! Will you face the odds for God’s glory?
II. A MAN WHO WILL FINISH THE MISSION (vv. 9-10)
A. ELEAZAR (“Help of God”). Eleazar’s mission was to fight and defeat the Philistines. Look at his company (v.9), they all left him!
B. No one to help him except the Lord. “He arose, and smote the Philistines...and the people returned after him only to spoil” (v.10).
C. Eleazar gave us a good example. Like Adino, he faced the odds. He finished the fight and his mission. Everybody including the Lord loves a finisher! May we at life’s end say – II Tim. 4:7.
D. Like Eleazar’s company, many get in the battle and then when the heat is on they turn and run! Not Eleazar. He finished!
E. There are two things that must be pointed out for us to see here: First, He finished his mission with no concern for self. Verse 10b says, “...and his hand CLEAVE unto the sword.” The sword as a type of God’s word is key to any spiritual battle (Eph. 6:17).
F. The second thing we must see is: “...and the Lord wrought a great victory that day.” (v.10c) It is the Lord’s winning war we are fighting. We are His instruments (II Chron. 20:15; Phil. 2:13).
G. When we stand before Him at the Judgment Seat, and He asks the question, “Did you finish your work?” We all want to be able to say, “Yes Lord, and we wrought a great victory for you!”
III. A MAN WHO WILL FOCUS ON THE ENEMY (vv. 11-12)
A. SHAMMAH ("Loss or Desolation") knew who his enemies were – the Philistines. They were a constant source of trouble to God’s people and work. They were trying to take over the work which God gave to Shammah – the lentile farm. Lentiles are plants whose seeds are eaten as a vegetable or made flour (Gen. 25:34).
B. Shammah knew that the land was a sacred trust from God (Lev. 25:23). Thus Shammah would give a square inch of it over his dead body! He focused on the enemy fought and slew them!
C. Our enemy is the Devil (I Pet 5:8). Who are not our enemies?
D. Unike Shammah, some of us focused on brethren we don’t like. Some members focus on the pastor’s mistakes. Some pastors focus on the members mistakes. Still yet, some members focus on one another’s faults or church programs (Eph. 4:2-3, 27; Col. 3:13).
E. If you give Satan a square inch, he will take over. How do we give place to Satan? Through – thoughts, music, TV, wrong friends.
F. Anything that is not of God may give the Satan a stronghold in your life. Let’s focus on the opposition and be not dominated by mistakes of fellow Christians. Be longsuffering & kind. Fight Satan!
Conclusion: We need some men, women and young people who will face the odds. We need some who will finish their mission. Some who will focus on the enemy. If we had 10 or 20 like these men, there would be no limit what we could do in this area. By the grace and power of God....will you be one of these three people?
