These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth, [b] a Tahkemonite, [c] was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed [d] in one encounter.
9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim [e] for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, 10 but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.
13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. 17 "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. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.
9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim [e] for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, 10 but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.
13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. 17 "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. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.
Today in chapel Mr. Winn talked about David's three mighty men. Now these men were courageous. Every single one proved himself strong and true. They were brave, strong, and there was nothing that could stand in their way.
Each one of them had amazing character that was admirable and I think Mr. Winn covered them quite fully. One thing he didn't remark on so much is that they were the "THREE". It wasn't great Eleazer, and great Shammah and great Josheb. No they chose to be called a unit.
Stories love giving trios that are unstoppable. There are the three from Lord of the Rings: Aragorn, the king, Legolas, the guy with bow and arrow skills, and Gimli, the plump man with the ginormous axe.
There were the 3 musketeers, the three amigos (not sure about their courage, but they sure were funny), and there was Leia, Luke, and Han from Star Wars.
Even our world realizes that there is power in 3's. I think that is another aspect of courage I didn't account for. It is not just important to be courageous, it's important to surround yourself with courageous people.
For me, it's my friends Mark and Chad. They have been my accountability partners for three years now, and I am where I am largely because of them. They were there for me in my hardest times and we're there for each other when any of us our having troubles. I've been with them to watch them laugh, cry, smile, go through crushes, and just do guy stuff. They're truly important friends to me.
Together, we have sharpened each other like iron sharpens iron. God has grown all of us closer together and grown all of us spiritually. I truly do value them as friends. Every night we talk and as I look upon our group today I see more than just a group of friends. In my eyes, WE are a mighty three. It's not that I'm mighty, or Mark's mighty, or Chad's mighty. No, I think it's that God does mighty things through us. All for one and one for all!
1 comment:
Why aren't I in the picture? LOL-Isaac
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