II Samuel Menu

e-mail: davidparham@internetbible.net

Memory verses for this week: Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

The thought here may be that what is about to follow are the last inspired words of David, or perhaps, the last that he wrote after the completion of his part in the penning of the Psalms. David acknowledged that he was anointed to his throne by the God of Jacob. He also referred to himself as the “sweet psalmist of Israel.” It was David who composed most of the Psalms. And indeed, they are sweet.

In verse 2, David proceeds, “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.“ Here is one of the clearest indications of verbal inspiration by the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. It is in the direct context of him being the sweet psalmist of Israel. Clearly implied is that God put His very words in David’s mouth.

David continued. “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” Once again, David indicated that God spoke directly to him about what to write. In this case, God said to David, “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”

Twin requirements for Godly leadership are set forth: (1) just character and (2) ruling in the fear of God. David had exemplified both over his years. The word translated as just (qydu tsaddiyq) is the basic Hebrew word for ‘righteous.’ It alludes to righteousness of principle. Thus, the two key requirements for leadership are (1) righteousness and (2) having the fear of God in perspective.

Such a wise ruler is likened to the beauty of a clear dawn and the green grass after a soft rain. The greater thought is that a leader who is just and rules in the fear of God will be most desirable and sought after.

J. Vernon McGee said we need more men who have a fear of God in leadership.

It is obvious that the decisions made in our government today—regardless of the party—are not made “in fear of God.” They are made in fear of the voters. There is little effort being made to please God in our government. I wish it could be said that the United States of America is a Christian nation. It is not.

I was rather amused by the comments being made by some men who were out of work because of a decision made in Washington by the Senate. Each man who was out of work said, “I voted for that man because he said he was going to vote for this project, and he voted against it.” Well, all the politician wanted was to be elected to office. He didn’t care anything about the men and their project. We need men who will rule in the fear of God and, until we get them, we are going to have corruption in high places.

David had the humility to admit that his life had not always so reflected that ideal.

“Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.”

Notwithstanding the fact that David had miserably failed God, at least in the matter of Bathsheba; nevertheless, God had confirmed His covenant to him.

That, of course, was the Davidic Covenant. David’s reference here to his ‘salvation’ likely does not only refer to his eternal spiritual salvation, but also the deliverance for his posterity. God promised him his descendants would reign in perpetuity upon his throne. That was the desire of David’s heart even if at the moment he could not see the fulfillment of it. In contrast, “ the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands.” Whereas a godly ruler would be accepted as the morning sun and green grass, wicked rulers would be received as thorns which cannot be handled. David continues the analogy of wicked rulers being like thorns. Such plants must be handled with implements of iron and then they are burned.

The thought likely is that once such type of rulers are in place, they can only be removed by force.

The record now shifts to list the mighty men who served under David. These were all military men. They are distinguished by three classes: the first and highest consisted of three who were general officers. The second class also was of three who perhaps were colonels of regiments. Finally, the third class of thirty were captains of thousands and hundreds.

The first of David’s three mightiest men was a man by the name of Adino who killed 800 enemy soldiers in one battle. The second in this elite list was a man named Eleazar. The battle with the Philistines mentioned is unclear. He evidently held his sword so strongly that after the battle he had difficulty releasing it. The third of David’s mightiest men was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. He excelled in an otherwise undescribed battle with the Philistines. He stood his ground when other comrades-in-arms fled. Shammah defended his homeland. In so doing, he killed many Philistines. Once again, note is made that the Lord wrought a great victory through him.

Verse 13 picks up with another section of David’s elite warriors being noted. This is a group of thirty officers just below in rank the first three. “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. “

This evidently was after David had become king and not the incident of David and Saul at the cave Adullam. Of interest is that he is mentioned as being in the hold. The word so translated is (hdwum) matsuw- dah (masada). It is here described as being at or near the cave Adullam. The greater thought is of a place of military strength.

Matthew Henry spoke of these mighty men under David.

The catalogue which the historian has here left upon record of the great soldiers that were in David’s time is intended, 1. For the honour of David, who trained them up in the arts of exercises of war, and set them an example of conduct and courage. It is the reputation as well as the advantage of a prince to be attended and served by such brave men as are here described. 2. For the honour of those worthies themselves, who were instrumental to bring David to the crown, settle and protect him in the throne, and enlarge his conquests. Note, Those that in public stations venture themselves, and lay out themselves, to serve the interests of their country, are worthy of double honour, both to be respected by those of their own age and to be remembered by posterity. 3. To excite those that come after to a generous emulation. 4. To show how much religion contributes to the inspiring of men with true courage. David, both by his psalms and by his offerings for the service of the temple, greatly promoted piety among the grandees of the kingdom (1 Chr. 29:6), and, when they became famous for piety, they became famous for bravery.

 

This incident is not otherwise noted in Scripture apart from a similar summary record in I Chronicles 11. Rather than take advantage of his men, David offered the water as an offering to God, notwithstanding his yearning to drink thereof.

“ 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.” Rather than enjoy the water of Bethlehem, his home town, David offered it as a sacrifice to God.

Some think another set of three mighty warriors of David is noted. Others think this may be the names of the three mentioned in verses 15-17. However, the total mentioned are thirty seven (verse 39) and the arithmetic suggests that this is another trio. “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.” Abishai was David’s nephew. However, he distinguished himself militarily by singlehandedly killing three-hundred enemies combatants. The first three evidently were those mentioned in verses 8-12. Of this second level of officers, Abishai was chief.

In verse 20, the second of the three is noted and his exploits.

The reference to “lionlike men” could refer to men who were like wild animals.

It more likely refers to princes of Moab. However, he also killed a lion in a pit during one winter. The corollary account in I Chronicles 11:23-28 speaks of this Egyptian as a giant of a man.

1 Chr 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.

1 Chr 11:24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.

1 Chr 11:25 Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.

1 Chr 11:26 Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

1 Chr 11:27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

1 Chr 11:28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,

Benaiah took this powerful man’s spear out his hand and killed him with it. Benaiah became chief of David’s bodyguards. He was just below the first tier of officers of David’s armies.

The twenty eight men rounding out David’s top thirty-seven men are here noted.

It is thought that Asahel, mentioned in verse 24, was over these twenty-seven men since there are actually twenty-eight names mentioned. Perhaps the most poignant is the mention of Uriah the Hittite in verse 39. When David had him murdered, he was not just a common soldier, but one of David’s mighty men—an officer of David.

Website: http://www.internetbible.net