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Weekly Message | August 24th, 2008
Passage: 1 Samuel 22:1-5, 2 Samuel 23:1-39
Key Verse(s): 2 Samuel 23:1
Two weeks ago I delivered this message. Today we think about this passage again. The reason is simple. We want to think about the grace of God and our capabilities to serve. Today’s message is about David’s last words. Here, David concludes his life and remembers his mighty men one by one. The great evangelist, Philip Brooks said, “Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for power equal to your tasks.” When we try to according to our powers, we may not accomplish much. However, our capabilities increase to the extent we depend on God and seek his great purpose. Today we will think three secrets of David and his mighty men that served God’s will in their generations.
First, “David walked with God—even to the end” (1-7). 2 Samuel 23 is the last words of David. It is unclear when David said of these. Probably, before his death he recorded this reflecting his past. Look at verse 1:“ These are the last words of David: The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs:” David always remembered his humble origin. He was the son of Jesse. Jesse was not a man of great influence. When the prophet Samuel came to his house, Jesse presented everyone except David (1Sa 16:10-13). Probably, David’s father thought that his youngest son was not even worthy to attend such an important meeting. He was left alone in the field to take care of sheep. However, God took him from the pasture and from following the flock of sheep and made him a ruler in Israel. God was with him wherever he went (2Sa 7:8-9). God removed his enemies. God exalted him. In joy and thanksgiving David composed many songs. David established traditional of singing in the history of Israel. They are recorded in the book of Psalms.
Look at verse 2-3a: “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me.” What was so special about David? Many of his natural talents? His fine appearance? His worldly positions? No. It was God who spoke to David. God’s word was in David’s tongue. David was God’s messenger for the people of Israel.
Look at verses 3b-4: “When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.” Among all the wonderful words David remembered God’s one word. It was godly leadership principle. God wanted David to rule in righteousness and in the fear of God. David made every effort to be a leader in righteousness and the fear of God. Righteousness is about right relationship with God. It is what we do before God—although no one else looks at. The righteousness of God is about justice and mercy. Those who fear God are humble. Humble leaders are like the light of morning at sunshine on a cloudless morning. They are bright and clear. God makes them influential in this world. They inherit this world as true leaders.
Look at verses 5: “Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?” David’s life was not perfect. From human point of view, David was not a successful father. Neither was he a good husband. Rape, murders, and rebellion occurred. It was after David committed adultery with Bathsheba the wife of his faithful general Uriah whom David later murdered in the battle. The sword was not departed from his house; even his son Absalom conspired against him. David was ashamed of these devastating events. However, David did not end his life in shame and failures. Rather, David repented and moved beyond such failures. He grew up to be a man after God’s own heart. David was right with God. Then his family was right with God as well. God’s everlasting love sustained him. His soul was happy. He was satisfied with God’s grace and mercy. In his last moment of his life, David said, “Is not my house right with God? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?”
Look at verses 6-7: “But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear: they are burned up where they lie.” David encountered many evil men in numerous battles. Goliath challenged him. Absalom hunted him down. On many occasions these evil men tried to destroy David. They deceived him. They kept inflicting pains on him. David fought the good fight. He overcame evil with good.
Here we find one important lesson from David. The real source of David’s greatness is his walk with God. Throughout his life David has stayed close to God. This great God inspired David. Under God David grew up as a mighty man. Over the years I have seen people who have mastered the secret of staying power in life. This is universally true in life. The real quality of success is we walk with in this life. Great athletes perform because they trained themselves under great coaches. Great scholars arise through great mentors they keep. Great spiritual leaders stay close with their wonderful mentors. On very personal level, wives influence their husbands most. In fact, many husbands follow the paths that their wives choose. Wives are critical for the capabilities of their husbands. John Wilson has grown in all aspects of his life. The other day he said, “God took away all the shame of my youth.” His wife’s influence is critical. His wife, Rebecca Wilson, walks with God daily—particularly through her early morning prayers. A few years ago Jim Paul experienced many hardships in this life. He will speak in details. At this challenging time period his wife, Sue Paul, walked with him. It made him to be steady. Sue Paul said that her secret of strength is more than her walk with Jim. It was her walk with God. That’s why the Bible says, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”(Prov 31:30).
Today, Anthony Coca and Kirk Kaiser will receive baptism. This is their important moment in life. This baptism is to confirm the work of God in their lives. Most of all, it is to choose their path. They will now walk with God. Under God’s coaching discipline, they will grow up in faith, hope and love. For your capable and fruitful life, choose your life long partner carefully. Do not choose your lifelong partner someone less than yourself. Always choose someone who is better than yourself in one way or another. This is the reason why those who walk with God faithfully ultimately win. As we start this semester, let us resolve this: walk with God. Be faithful to our spiritual disciplines. Strengthen your daily routines with God.
Second, David practiced humble leadership (8-17). The remaining chapter is about David’s mighty men. The names of top three might men were Josheb-Basshebeth (chief of the three), Eleazar son of Dodai and Shammah son of Agee. Josheb-Basshebeth raised his spear against eight hundred men and killed them in one encounter. Eleazor was also a great warrior who fought hard until his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. Shammah defended alone against the Philistines. All these men did not occupy the top positions in David’s army. Yet, they were true leaders.
How did David meet them? David met them when he was on the run for life. He met them when he was in distress. Even after Samuel anointed David as king, he had to prove his spirit and leadership before God and men. The first critical victory was his defeat of Goliath. Since then, David served King Saul and became very famous in Israel—especially among many young women. Then, King Saul was jealous of David. He decided to kill David in fear again and again. David became a runaway fugitive. Then, he could escape to the cave of Adullam. On hearing about this, his family members came to him. Then, a couple of hundred others joined David—total 400! Who were they? They were in distress or in debt or discontented. They were 3D (dirty, difficult and dangerous)(1Sa 22:1-4). Under David’s care these people were transformed. God pleased David and blessed these people in distress. They grew up in faith in God.
A story in verses 14-18 suggests how David and these men care for one another. Once David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” Probably David was homesick. He missed a cup of water from the well in his hometown Bethlehem. At that time the Philistines occupied the town. The three might men overhead this and decided to risk their lives. They broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. What was David’s response? Did he thank them and drank the water as was handed to him? No. “Far be it from me, O 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. David refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. David honored his men. David respected them. David loved them. David could have thanked them and drank it anyway. But David refused to drink it and instead poured it out before God. David valued and loved his men. David did not take advantage of their devotion; instead David offered them to God. David helped them to serve God’s purpose together.
How can we stay humble even after achieving something great for ourselves? Those who walk with God stay humble. They pour out their successes, honors, and privileges before the Lord. This is the way we must live. In this way we do not corrupt but flow and grow all the more. Soon we send Shepherd Jeff and Lauri Lewis to Columbus. OH. They have served God here in Toledo with devotion and much labor for the Lord. Particularly, they served CBF very well. Upon their recommendation Nick and Sandy Muhling’s family will be installed as new CBF leaders. As we send them away, we pray that Jeff and Lauri may be humble leaders before the Lord. They may pour out their talents, money and time in serving the Lord.
Abraham Lincoln says, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power”. There was a man named Robert Gabriel Mugabe. At the beginning he was a sacrificial and humble leader. As he ruled years as the president he became arbitrary and corrupt. He ruined his once prosperous country into dire poverty. What was the problem? He was holding power for himself. Power must flow. Humble leaders release the power of his people for larger purpose. The key is humble leadership. Humble leadership channels blessings into God’s glory. Humble leadership makes great powers to flow. This is the essence of leadership. Humble leaders do not hold back for themselves but pour them out before the Lord.
Third, David developed mighty men for God’s purpose (20-39). In the remaining chapter more names of David’s might men are recorded. Abishai was Joab’s brother. Benaiah struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He also struck down a huge Egyptian and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand. Besides these top leaders, other mighty men served David. Only their names are mentioned here. Certainly, these mighty men involved in many battles along with David. Their names are worthy to read: “Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, 27 Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, 30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash, 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan 33 son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, the son of Hagri”.
How was the list of David’s might men compiled? Certainly, it was David who remembered the names one by one. Notice that Naharai the armor bearer of Joab and Uriah the Hittite are included as mighty men, but not Joab. Joab was the top general in David’s army for many years. He fought in so many battles for victory and achieved it. But he was not one of David’ might men. Why? Joab was his own man. He did not know David’s heart. Instead, he inflicted pains in David’s heart on numerous occasions.
God chose David for mission. His life reveals his mission (1) The union of Israel and Judah, (2) protected his people from his enemy, 3) prosper Israel with blessing from God. David alone could not accomplish all. He devoted to develop the leaders. He was really good at slinging a stone, agile to find out the weakest point of enemy and attack it. However, David did not make everyone just like him. David’s mighty men were all unique with their own particular strengths. Some handled spear well, another sword and another with bare hands. Probably, David guided them to find out their own strength and develop it. At the same time, David taught them his bravery and fighting spirit to be mighty men against any enemies.
What can we learn from the last words of David? Some day we all have our final days. These days Margaret Thatcher (once she was an iron lady—eloquent and powerful in speech but she is now 82 years old) is suffering from Alzheimer disease. Her memory functions do not work well. She cannot give any speech in public. The point is this. Everyone will have his or her last days. At the end of our lives we remember the grace of our Lord Jesus. In our early years of faith we learn to walk with God and establish spiritual routines. Practice spiritual disciplines. God increases our personal capabilities to serve. We learn to grow in humble leadership. The real work from then on is to develop capable leaders for God. For this purpose we refuse to drink honors and respects we receive from people. Instead, we pour it out before God. As we honor God and his people in such spirit, God pours his blessings on us. God speaks through us. God increase our capabilities to the extent we need. God blesses this world through us. God raises up mighty men and women of God. In all we walk with God. Our faithful routines with God remain steady and constant. This is the way we live. This is the way we end our journey as well.
August 24, 2008. Toledo UBF
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
