Who were the mighty men loyal to David? In your church, who are the mighty men loyal to God? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 11.
What did people say to David before the elders of Israel anointed him king?
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh. They anointed David king over Israel, according to Yahweh’s word by Samuel. (1 Chronicles 11:1-3 WEB)
What did Zion become after its capture? How did Joab become commander in chief?
Then David and all Israel marched to Jerusalem, that is, Jebus, where the Jebusites lived. The people who lived in Jebus told David, “You’ll never get in here!” But David captured the mountain fortress of Zion, which became David’s City. David had said, “The first one to kill a Jebusite will become commander in chief!” Joab, Zeruiah’s son, was the first to attack and so became commander in chief. David occupied the fortress, so it was renamed David’s City. He also built up the city on all sides, including its own foundations and the surrounding areas, while Joab restored the rest of the city. David grew increasingly powerful, and the Lord of heavenly forces was with him. (1 Chronicles 11:4-9 CEB)
Who were names of note among the warriors who helped keep David’s kingdom strong?
The Lord had promised that David would become king, and so everyone in Israel gave David their support. Certain warriors also helped keep his kingdom strong. The first of these warriors was Jashobeam the son of Hachmoni, the leader of the Three Warriors. In one battle he killed 300 men with his spear. Another one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. During a battle against the Philistines at Pas-Dammim, all the Israelite soldiers ran away, except Eleazar, who stayed with David. They took their positions in a nearby barley field and defeated the Philistines! The Lord gave Israel a great victory that day. (1 Chr 11:10-14 CEV)
What is an example of the loyalty between David’s mighty men and him?
Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David at the cave of Adullam, when the army of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” Then the three mighty men broke through the camp 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. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the Lord and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men. (1 Chr 11:15-19 ESV)
Who were some of the other names of note among David’s warriors?
Abishai, Joab’s brother, was the leader of the Three. He raised his spear against 300 men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. He was more honored than the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, Benaiah went down to him with a club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear. These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors. He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard. (1 Chr 11:20-25 HCSB)
Who were soldiers listed among the elite in David’s army?
The elite forces included Asahel (Joab’s brother), Dodo’s son Elhanan from Bethlehem, Shammoth from Haror, Helez the Pelonite, Ikkesh’s son Ira from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai from Netophah, Baanah’s son Heled from Netophah, Ribai’s son Ithai from Gibeah, controlled by the descendants of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon, Hurai from the wadis of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth from Baharum, Eliahba from Shaalbon, Hashem the Gizonite, Shagee the Hararite’s son Jonathan, Sachar the Hararite’s son Ahiam, Ur’s son Eliphal, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro from Carmel, Ezbai’s son Naarai, Joel (Nathan’s brother), Hagri’s son Mibhar, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai from Beeroth, who was the armor-bearer for Zeruiah’s son Joab, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Ahlai’s son Zabad, Shiza the Reubenite’s son Adina, a leader of the descendants of Reuben, along with thirty others with him, Maacah’s son Hanan, Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Hotham the Aroerite’s sons Shama and Jeiel, Shimri’s son Jediael and his brother Joha the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Elnaam’s sons Jeribai and Joshaviah, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite. (1 Chr 11:26-47 ISV)
Are we in the church also called to be strong in the Lord?
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10 KJV)
Who were the mighty men loyal to David? In your church, who are the mighty men loyal to God? You decide!
