Summary:
David Become King Over Israel
Verses 1-3
All of Israel gathered at Hebron to see David. They claimed to be of his own flesh and blood. They acknowledged that David had led Israel in their military campaigns during Saul's reign. God had told David that he would be Israel's shepherd and ruler. The elders made a compact with David, before God, anointing him king over Israel, as God had promised through Samuel's prophecy.
David Conquers Jerusalem
Verses 4-9
David and all of Israel marched to Jerusalem, also known as Jebus. The Jebusites said that David would never get in. But, David captured their fortress, Zion. He made it his residence and it was named the City of David. David declared that whoever led the attack on the Jebusites would be his commander-in-chief. Joab son of Zeruiah stepped up and succeeded. David built up the city around Zion, from the supporting terraces, called the Millo, to the surrounding wall. Joab restored the rest of the city. David grew in power because the Lord Almighty was with him.
David's Mighty Men
Verses 10-47
The chiefs of David's mighty men, along with Israel, gave David's kingship a strong support over all the land, just as God had promised. Jashobeam the Hacmonite was the chief of the officers. He killed 300 men, in one encounter, with his spear. Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite was with David at Pas Dammim when they fought the Philistines. The Israelite troops fled into a barley field, but they stood their ground in the middle of it. The Israelites defended the field and defeated the Philistines. God gave them the victory.
Three of the 30 chiefs went to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines encamped at the Valley of Rephaim. David was at the stronghold and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and cried out for some from the well near the gate at Bethlehem. The Three broke through the Philistine lines and brought back some water for David. David poured it out before God, saying that to drink it would be like drinking the blood of those who risked their lives to get it. These are examples of the exploits of the three mighty men.
Abishai, brother of Joab, was chief of the Three. He had also killed 300 men with his spear. Abishai became as famous as the Three. He was doubly honored as they were, but he was not included with the Three.
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, and he performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He struck down a 7 1/2 foot tall Egyptian. The Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's rod. Ben had a club, but stole the Egyptian's spear and killed him with it. Ben also became as famous as the Three. He was honored above the Thirty, but was not included with the Three. David put Benaiah in charge of his bodyguard.
These are David's mighty men:
1. Asahel, brother of Joab 26. Mibhar son of Hagri
2. Elhanan son of Dodo, from Bethlehem 27. Zelek the Ammonite
3. Shammoth the Harorite 28. Naharai the Berothite,
the armor-bearer of Joab
4. Helez the Pelonite 29. Ira the Ithrite
5. Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa 30. Gareb the Ithrite
6. Abiezer from Anathoth 31. Uriah the Hittite
7. Sibbecai the Hushathite 32. Zabad son of Ahlai
8. Ilai the Ahohite 33. Adina son of Shiza,
the Reubenite chief of 30
9. Maharai the Netophathite 34. Hanan son of Maacah
10. Heled son of Baanah, the Netophathite 35. Joshaphat the Mithnite
11. Ithai son of Ribai, from Gibeah in Benjamin 36. Uzzia the Ashterathite
12. Benaiah the Pirathonite 37. Shama son of Hotham,
the Aroerite
13. Hurai from the ravines of Gaash 38. Jeiel, Shama's brother
14. Abiel the Arbathite 39. Jediael son of Shimri
15. Azmaveth the Baharumite 40. Joha the Tizite,
Jediael's brother
16. Eliahba the Shaalbonite 41. Eliel the Mahavite
17. the sons of Hashem the Gizonite 42. Jeribai son of Elnaam
18. Jonathan son of Shagee, the Hararite 43. Joshaviah, Jeribai's brother
19. Ahiam son of Sacar, the Hararite 44. Ithmah the Moabite
20. Eliphal son of Ur 45. Eliel
21. Hepher the Mekerathite 46. Obed
22. Ahijah the Pelonite 47. Jaasiel the Mezobaite
23. Hezro the Carmelite
24. Naarai son of Ezbai
25. Joel, the brother of Nathan
Lori's Thoughts:
You have to admit, this sounds like a movie, similar to 300 or Robin Hood. The Israelites are the heroes, with awesome fighting skills and some crazy warriors, like the guy that killed a lion in a pit, on a snowy day. But, their true source of power comes from the Unseen. This Force baffles the bad guys.
The bad guys are the mutant Philistines and Egyptians. They're uglier and bigger, but not stronger. Maybe it's more like King Arthur. The Thirty are like the Kights of the Round Table and the Three are like Lancelot, Arthur, and, I don't know, Galahad...
My point is this: life with God is anything but boring. Nor is it easy. The Israelites had to work hard to defend themselves and God's honor. But, they were protected as long as they continued to serve Him.
Everyone has a purpose, a special skill, and God wants you to thrive as an individual, working with the rest of His children to ensure that we stay on the winning side until the ultimate battle is over.
Imagine the coolest person you could be, if you had no limitations. Me? I want to be a Healer. God sees us for our potential. Take a leap of faith and see how far He takes you. It'll be an incredible journey.
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