Mighty Men of the King
2 Samuel 23:8-15

Some of us love watching movies, there are different genres of movies: drama, comedy, action, horror, science fiction, etc.  The Bible has different genres as well and within these genres you find, drama, comedy, action, horror, romance, etc.  I love those movies that have a hero who comes and saves the day.  People like Braveheart, Jack Bauer; Jason Bourne. Detective John Mclean among others.
There are some men in the Bible, whom you have not heard a lot about; you may not even know their names; however, there are several chapters dedicated to tell us who they were.  God used them in a very powerful way during the time of King David.  They are known as David’s mighty men.  These men were heroes.
When David became a fugitive because King Saul wanted to kill him.  David fled to the wilderness and people gravitated toward him.  1 Sam.22:2 says that “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around David and he became their leader.  About four hundred men were with him.”
David had 30 men who are considered mighty men in Scripture.
In 2 Samuel 23:8-15 we read about the top three mighty men of David.  What can we learn from these mighty warriors?

Josheb-Basshebeth
-chief of the three
-killed 800 men by himself.

Eleazar
-stood his ground when others ran.
-Fought valiantly against Israel’s enemy
-God provided a great victory through him (v,10)

Shammah
-took his stand when others fled. (In the middle of the field).
-Defeated the Philistine that day.
-God gave them great victory that day (v.12)

God brought about victory through courage of these men. (v.10, v12).  God always called his people to be courageous.  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” Jos.1:9
When Israel’s troops fled, these men took their stand to fight and God brought about the victory.  God honors courage.

Mighty men are courageous.
-They don’t run away from conflict
-They face opposition fearlessly.
-God blesses courageous people.

Mighty men are men committed to the cause.
These men were part of the fellowship or band that stood with David during the hard times.
There were people in distress, others had debts that could not pay, some were dissatisfied, but they were all committed to each other.  The army of David made of mighty men. They had each other’s backs.

Mighty men serve their king even at the cost of their lives.
-The king’s desire was for these men an order.  They risked their lives to fulfill their king’s desire.  This shows how devoted they were to their leader.
These three men broke through enemy territory to bring water for their king.
David just offered the water to the LORD as an offering for what these men did. (v.17) 

 Leonidas, King of Sparta, was preparing to make a stand with his Greek troops against the Persian army in 480 B.C. when a Persian envoy arrived. The man urged on Leonidas the futility of trying to resist the advance of the huge Persian army. “Our archers are so numerous,” said the envoy, “that the flight of their arrows darkens the sun.” “So much the better,” replied Leonidas, “for we shall fight them in the shade.” Leonidas made his stand, and died with his 300 troops.   Today in the Word, November 4, 1993.

These men were committed, courageous and they were ready to die serving their king.

We need mighty men in our homes, churches and country.  We need men of courage who stand and take the stand in the midst of opposition and defend what God has entrusted to them.  Men committed to their homes, churches or communities they are part of.  Men who risk their lives for their King’s sake.  God will continue to accomplish great things with men like these.   These men showed their commitment, dedication and love to their king by what they did.
God is calling men to be courageous, to commit themselves to what he has entrusted and to be willing to sacrifice themselves in their service to him.  This is what it means to be mighty men!