"These are the names of David's mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter." (2 Samuel 23:8) We have not previously been told about this soldier's exploits or of the occasion on which he slew eight hundred enemy soldiers. But the Lord blessed David with faithful friends. The Lord not only did great things for David with His own hands but also sent to him those who were capable of encouraging him in both words and deeds. When the author says Josheb-Basshebeth was chief of the Three, he means that of the first three men mentioned in this list, Josheb-Basshebeth accomplished the most.
"Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar 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." (2 Samuel 23:9-10) This isn't the first time in the Bible we've encountered just one person who was willing to stand strong and whose bravery encouraged and inspired many. This man didn't retreat with the rest of his troops but turned and faced the enemy, fighting so long and so hard that after the battle was over he could scarcely manage to unwind his fingers from the hilt of his sword. When his men gathered their courage and returned to him, there was nothing left to do but plunder the fallen enemy.
"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. 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." (2 Samuel 23:11-12) We've been told earlier in the Bible that the Philistines had a practice of invading the land to stop up wells and ruin the crops. I believe ruining the harvest is what the Philistines came to do in verse 11. They must have either outnumbered the Israelite troops who were present to guard the field or else they took them by such surprise that they panicked. Whatever happened to cause the men to run, Shammah alone was not overcome by fear. Filled with faith and courage, he stood firm and fought so fiercely against the enemy that he won a victory that day in the name of the Lord and in the name of the nation of Israel.
Based on the many examples in the Bible of how one person's faith and courage accomplished great things, we should never say, "I am just one person. What can I do?" One person plus the Lord equals a majority! As the Apostle Paul phrased it, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b)
Our text for today closes with another exploit performed by the three mighty men mentioned in Chapter 23. "During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, 'Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!' So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David." (2 Samuel 23:13-16a) This brave deed is believed to have taken place during a time period described in 2 Samuel 5 when we were told: "When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim." (2 Samuel 5:17-18)
David was from Bethlehem and in his thirst he longed for the excellent water from the well near the gate of his hometown. He voiced this longing aloud, not intending or expecting anyone to fetch the water for him. But his three bravest men wanted to do something for their king and they fought their way to the well and back, bringing David the cold drink of water he craved. He was so touched by these men's love and respect for him, and he was so astonished that they risked their lives just to bring him a cup of water, that he considered the water too good for him. He considered it good enough only for the Lord and made an offering of it to Him instead of drinking it. "But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 'Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!' he said. 'Is it not the blood of men who went at risk of their lives?' And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors." (2 Samuel 23:16b-17)
The first time I ever read the verses above I took them the wrong way. I imagined it as being insulting to the three brave men that David didn't drink the water they risked their lives to fetch for him. But now I realize he was paying them the highest compliment he could think of. By pouring the water out as an offering he was saying, "I am not worthy to receive such honor! You risked your lives to serve your king and I am recognizing your faith and courage by making an offering to the King of kings!" David so highly valued this token of the men's esteem that he felt the Lord deserved it far more than he did. After all, it was the Lord who made him king of Israel, protecting him from plots against his life before and after he ascended to the throne. It was the Lord who gave him these loyal friends. It was the Lord who protected these brave men as they made their way through the enemy lines---not once but twice!---to go to the well of Bethlehem and back. There really is no higher honor he could have bestowed on Josheb-Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah than to regard as holy to the Lord the cup of water they obtained at so great a risk to their personal safety.
Join us tomorrow as the author provides us with the names and deeds of more mighty men of valor who fought on the side of King David, on the side of their nation, and on the side of their God.
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