2 Samuel 23:13-17 11/13/16
Well folks, I have to tell you, I’m glad the elections over. About half of the country is happy and about half of the country is mad. The POPULAR VOTE was split just about right down the middle.
Joke: I wanted to tell you the story of a man who had lived in a small town and had been a staunch Democrat all his life. Now, he was 90, and his health began to fail. His doctor told him: “George, I’m sorry to tell you this, but, from the state of health, I’d say you’ll not live out the year."
The next morning, the old man asked his son to take him to the courthouse so he could change his registration from Democrat to Republican.
"But Dad," protested his the son, "you started this town’s Democratic Party and attended every function. Why would you want to become a Republican?”
The old man replied: "Son, if someone has to die, it might as well be one of them."
Let’s turn in our Bibles to 2 Samuel 23.
Let me ask you two questions this morning.
What are you willing to do for God?
Some might say, “Oh I would do anything for God.” And maybe you would.
Here’s the second question. What are you willing to do with what God has given you?
And your answer might be, “God can have anything and everything He wants.” I hope so. I hope this is what you would say.
These two questions are pretty important and they deserve an honest answer.
But here’s the problem. Saying something and doing something are two totally different things.
Let’s read 2 Samuel 23 verses 13-17.
“And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.
17 And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.”
In 1 Samuel 2o, David is fleeing from King Saul. We all probably know the story how that Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s best friend shot some arrows to let David know what Saul’s plan was for him. He wanted to kill him. So David fled from Saul and in chapter 22 we see where David wound up in the Cave of Adullam. This is where he amassed his family and a group of men who would be loyal to him. It seems they were kind of a rag tag band of 400 men. It tells us in verse 2, of 1 Samuel 22,
“And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him;”
THIS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN. And through all of the challenges that came along, and all of the trials that David and this group faced, God’s hand of protection was there on them. Now David is once again in the Cave of Adullam. Over 20 miles away from David’s hometown of Bethlehem. And David is LONGING, I MEAN REALLY LONGING for a drink from the well at Bethlehem.
I want us to take a look this morning at this story and see what three of David’s Mighty Men did and then I want us to see what David did with this Treasure that these men brought back to him.
Let’s Pray Brother ______ would you lead us?
The 23rd chapter of 2 Samuel starts with a PSALM of David. It’s NOT one of the Psalms that you will find included in the Book of Psalms that were written and used in temple worship. Many believe that this was a private psalm or song of David that he used in his private worship. After this psalm, David goes on to tell us about his mighty men and the things that they did.
He tells us about Adino who killed 800 men by himself.
Then he tells about Eleazer, the son of Dodo, who stood up to the Philistines and fought them until his hand froze on the sword. It tells us that the people came back and all that was left to do was take the spoil.
Then there was Shammah who defended a Pea Patch. While the others ran away for fear of the Philistines he fought and prevailed against them. He said, “This is my Pea Patch and you can’t have it.”
I LOVE reading about these mighty men. The things they did. Their bravery. Their strength. Their God Given ability to FIGHT!!! WOW, what great warriors of God.
Then there were these three that we have read about today.
There was ABISHAI, BENAIAH, and ASAHEL. They were Mighty Men of valor who risked their lives to provide David what he desired.
I. I can just imagine David there in the heat, verse 13 tells us it was the time of the harvest. It was probably dry. And David thinks back to the days growing up near Bethlehem. He probably thinks back to all those times he would draw from that deep well and how sweet and refreshing that cold water would be. Then he VOICES IT. “Oh I would love to have a drink out of that well. You know, that WELL that sits over there by the gate of the city. Man that water would sure taste good.”
Now I don’t think David said this as a HINT hoping someone would hear him and risk their lives to get it for him. He may have just been thinking out loud.
ILLUS: The little boy and his mother were spending the weekend with the grandparents. As normal, before lying down, the little boy knelt down beside his bed and said his prayers. He prayed “Dear God, help so and so, and please do this and so on. And as he neared the end he kept getting louder and louder until he was almost hollering as he finished with and God please give me a new bike for my birthday. AMEN” His mama said “Jimmy, you don’t have to holler, God is not hard of hearing.” And the little boy said, “Yeah, I know, but gramma is.”
No, I doubt if David was hinting around but these three mighty men heard him and took action. They broke through the Host of the Philistines, they drew water from the well, and broke back through the Philistines and delivered the water to David. As these men entered back into the STRONGHOLD with this water I can just imagine the look on David’s face.
I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT.
I asked you at the beginning of this message, “What are you willing to do for the Lord?”
Would you risk everything, including your life for the Lord?
THAT’S WHAT THESE THREE FELLOWS DID FOR DAVID. They gave it their all. They risked everything.
When the RICH YOUNG RULER came to Jesus and asked a question it must have really made an impact on the disciples. Matthew Mark and Luke all record this conversation. He comes up to Jesus and asks what he must do to have eternal life. And Jesus answers him like this. “OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS.” And the fellow says, “I’ve done all of that since I was a kid.” Then Jesus says great, NOW, go sell everything you have, give the money to the poor and follow me.” And the man went away sad because he had great possessions. You see, he was willing to give what HE wanted to the Lord but he didn’t want to give EVERYTHING to the Lord.
When Jesus spoke about HATING your Father and Mother He was NOT talking about literally hating them. He was speaking about having NOTHING between YOU and Christ. HOLDING NOTHING BACK.
Folks, I can tell you why the church has lost it’s POWER. It’s because very few Christians have really sold out to Christ. They hold things back. Money, pleasure, bad habits, anger, jealousy, pride it can be a number of things.
II. The second question I asked you, What are you willing to do with what God has given you?
As David looked at this water that was given to him he probably just shook his head. He may have said “Boys, what were you thinking, risking your lives for this drink of water. I can’t drink this water!!!!” “It’s too valuable.” “It costs too much.”
He didn’t drink half and pour the rest out.
He didn’t offer it to anyone else. Even the guys who went after it.
He didn’t even take a little sip.
He poured...that...precious...water...out...as an offering to the Lord.
HE GAVE IT ALL TO THE LORD.
It dosen’t tell us what the reaction was of these three fellows that had risked their lives for this water. It dosen’t say they CRIED OUT, or BECAME ANGRY, or LAUGHED. I believe they knew exactly what David was doing. He was offering this Precious Gift to God.
I was thinking about this. Why did he pour it out as an offering to the Lord? Well, God was the ONE who had given this to David. Do you think any of these MIGHTY MEN were able to do these greats things on their own? In the eyes of man these things would be impossible but in the eyes of God. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!
John 15:5 tells us “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
When God looked down upon LOST MANKIND He didn’t hold anything back. He gave it His all.
Romans 8 verses 31-39 tells us
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As I said earlier, folks just can’t seem to give everything to God. They hold things back.
David took this water that had been given to him at great peril and POURED it out to God.
God gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross of Calvary for your sins.
What are you willing to do with all the BLESSING GOD has given you?
III. Lastly it tells us something interesting in verses 18 and 19. Abishai was the chief of these three but these three ATTAINED NOT unto the first three.
You see what it’s saying here? THEY WEREN’T THE BEST. They did not attain to the first three. Adino, Eleazer, and Shammah.
Why would God have put this in the Bible if it wasn’t important?
You know what, I’m glad they weren’t the top three.
I’m glad they weren’t the best.
I’m glad they had others to look up to.
I’m glad they were able to still be listed as MIGHTY MEN and NOT be the best. Because here’s my point. I believe they were DOING their BEST and that’s all David expected.
I tell you what, maybe this is speaking to you today and maybe it’s not but it’s speaking to me. God has NEVER called us to be the BEST but He has called us to DO our BEST.
He has NEVER called us to give THE BEST but to give OUR BEST.
God has never called me to be the best PREACHER in the world. I’m not. I know that. You don’t have to tell me. I KNOW. But God expects me to DO MY BEST.
ILLUS: I’m sure there’s someone here, right now, thinking, what a dumb message. But I guarantee you there’s someone here today who needs to hear this.
Paul told the church at Colosse in Colossians 3:23 and 24
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Maybe you are a MAMA here today and you feel overwhelmed. You feel like you are failing. Maybe you are at your whits end at times. God HAS NOT called you to be the BEST MAMA in the world, He has called you to “DO IT HEARTILY.” He’s called you to give it your BEST.
DADDY, just give it your best to be what God would have you be. A man who puts God first in his life. A man who is the Spiritual Leader of the home. If you’re wife won’t let you, I don’t know, tell her to hush or something.
SCHOOL TEACHER/ DAYCARE WORKER I’m sure there are times when you CAN’T SAY everything you would like to say. You cannot DO everything you would like to do. JUST GIVE IT YOUR BEST. DO IT HEARTILY AS UNTO THE LORD!!! YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOME CHILDS LIFE. Jude tells us in verses 21-24
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER....You don’t have to be the BEST, Just give it YOUR BEST.
ILLUS: I look back at some of my Sunday School teachers through the years. I remember Brother Orville Nail as one of my first teachers. I don’t remember a whole lot about the way he taught but looking back now I know he must have been ...
A man of character.
A man who tried.
A man who was willing to take a bunch of rambuncxious boys and teach us.
Looking back now I KNOW he gave it his best.
If you’re a SINGER. He hasn’t called you to sound like Sandy Patty or Elvis Presley. But He has called you to GIVE IT your BEST. HE HAS CALLED US TO MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD. NOT TO DO IT WITH PERFECTION BUT DO IT HEARTILY AS UNTO THE LORD.
ILLUS: Too many churches today have turned into a Talent Contest or a Las Vegas show. They only get pretty people up on the stage to be the PRAISE TEAM. They get the flashing, multi colored lights to flash in rythum with the music. They crank the volume up nice and loud and the show begins. MAY BE I’M WRONG BUT THAT, TO ME, IS NOT PRAISE AND WORSHIP. THAT’S A SHOW.
So you may feel totally overwhelmed. Totally out of your league. There is no need to fear. JUST GIVE IT YOUR BEST..........GOD IS GONNA BE WITH YOU.
The Book of Joshua starts out with these words, “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord.”
Can you imagine the position that Joshua was in?
Here he has been thrust into a JOB he may not have wanted.
He was to lead these rebellious people into the Promised Land.
He was going to take over for a man that these people had known as their RULER for over 40 years.
So God is talking to Joshua in Joshua 1:9.
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
You may be here this morning NOT doing what God has called you to do.
God gives us all a choice. He is NOT going to make you do anything. We all have FREE WILL to decide what we’re gonna do with our life.
You may be out of God’s Will, holding something back. Something you KNOW that is a hindrance to really becoming close to God. You feel convicted about it. You know it’s not right but you just haven’t let go.
Your VERY BEST may be what you’ve been holding back from the Lord. THIS IS SOMETHING I REALLY WANT YOU TO GET. God dosen’t expect you to be the BEST. AND He will use you in a MIGHTY WAY even when you are not the BEST. But He wants US AS CHRISTIAN MEN and WOMEN, TO GIVE IT OUR BEST. TAKE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU AND POUR IT OUT TO THE LORD. Maybe the Lord has spoken to you this morning about the fact that you haven’t given God YOUR VERY BEST.
ILLUS: As I look back on my own life I see times when I really didn’t do something HEARTILY, AS UNTO THE LORD. OH, I DID IT. I may have fulfilled my responsibility. I kept my end of the BARGAIN but I didn’t give it my all.
MAYBE THAT’S YOU.
Maybe you haven’t given the Lord ANYTHING. You see, He gave His all for you. Maybe you think the nice things you’ve done, the money you’ve given, or the time you’ve spent here at church will get you into Heaven. No, there is really only one thing that is going to matter on Judgment Day. Did you give YOURSELF to the Lord? Did you put your TRUST, YOUR HOPE, YOUR ALL in Him or are you going to put your trust in yourself?
ILLUS: Spanish American War/ Clara Barton/ American Red Cross/ Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Food and supplies for his wounded Rough Riders.
