David's Mighty Men

II Samuel 23:13-17
Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord . And he said, “Far be it from me, O Lord , that I should do this! Is this  not  the blood of the men who went in jeopardy  of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

 

 

 

This chapter of 2 Samuel lists down the names of all David's Mighty men along with their achievements.  Bear in mind that David, whose name means "Beloved," in this story is a type of Christ.  Jesus, of course, is the Greater David!

First on this list is this guy.  Look what he did!

"Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time."
II Samuel 23:8

 

Next up is "Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder."
II Samuel 23:9-10

 

Then we have "Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory."
II Samuel 23:11-12

 

Read the entire chapter and you'll see others with very great accomplishments.

 

But the ones listed as the mightiest men did nothing except go get water from the wells of Bethlehem for David.  Now, they probably did lots of other things but the Holy Spirit doesn't mention them.  The silence of scripture here speaks volumes! 
What's so great about getting water for David?

 

 

(The Three Mightiest Men.)

 

He was on the run from King Saul time who sought to take his life.  So he and his mighty men had fled to the cave of Adullam, about 15 miles from Bethlehem where David was from.  At this point in time, it was in the hands of the Philistines.  All he did was breathe his desire to drink water from the well by the gate of his hometown.

 

These three men, who are not mentioned specifically by name, took it upon themselves to go down to Bethlehem and break through the ranks of the Philistines and get water for their master.  David was so touched by their service to him that he poured the water out as a drink offering to the Lord rather than drink it.

 

 

 

Surprisingly, among the list of David's mighty men, his general, Joab, is not there.  You see, God isn't interested in a person's position.  He is interested in how much love you have toward His Son.

Joab was actually more interesting in promoting himself and advancing his position than in serving David.  He, you remember, was the one who later killed Absolom, David's wayward son, against David's specific orders that the young man not be harmed. 

 

So when rewards are handed out at the Bema seat of Christ, don't be surprised who gets great rewards.  (For more on the Bema or Judgment seat of Christ, follow this link:
http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-judgment-seat-of-christ.html)

You may be surprised to be counted as one of the Greater David's Mighty Men!