LEADER OF THE “MIGHTIES”

by Terry A. Boyd

Missionary to Uganda East Africa

I Chronicles 10:6- 12:2

Intro: David was a leader of leaders. The men that followed David were mighty men that became known for the mighty acts that they had accomplished. These victories came because they were, first of all, willing to sacrifice themselves. They were willing to sacrifice themselves for their leader, David.

As we consider David and his mighty men, we must first consider David’s predecessor, King Saul. The last days were not good days. Saul’s heart turned away from God and Saul’s death tells much about his life.

A. They stripped him of his armour- v.9

B. They cut off his head- v.9

C. They put his armour in the house of their gods- v.10

D. They fastened his head in the temple of Dagon- v.10

In Bible times and still in most third world countries idol worship was very predominate. The act of placing the head of their enemy in the temple of their god makes a strong statement that their god (Dagon) is stronger than the god of their enemy. It is also interesting to note that the last counsel that Saul received before his death was that of a witch. After Saul’s death, his head was nailed to the temple of demon god.

A. Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord- v.13

(list as many as you wish)

1. Did not utterly destroy all of the enemy when God told him to.

2. Blamed his sin on the people

3. Did not wait for Samuel to perform the sacrifice before going into battle.

B. Going to the witch of Endor instead of inquiring of the Lord- v.13

“…therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”

Transition: David had so many opportunities to kill Saul and take the kingdom for himself. But he did not. This is one of the great hallmarks of David. “Waiting on the Lord”. Each opportunity that David had to kill King Saul, David had with him his mighty men. At different times some of them tried to encourage David to kill the King and take what was “rightfully” his. Each time David resisted the temptation and placed everything into God’s hands and God’s timing. These actions made one major influence to David’s men, it caused them to trust David even more. They knew that their king would do right no matter what the outcome. They could trust and follow a man like that. Let’s look at David and some of these mighty men that followed him.

A. After Saul’s death the people gathered to David- v.1

B. The people realized that David was their true leader- v.2

C. David was anointed King- v.3

D. David took Zion and made it home- v. 5

E. David grew greater and the Lord was with him- v.9

C. 3 Mighties- v.v. 15-19- these three heard their leader make the comment that he was thirsty, so they broke through into the camp of the Philistines to get David a drink of water. David was so moved that he could not drink it.

D. Abishai- v.v. 20,21-

1. named among the 3 “mighties”- v.20

2. more honourable

3. killed 300 of the enemy with his spear

1. killed two “lionlike” men of Moab

2. on a snowy day he jumped into a pit and slew a lion

3. killed a very large Egyptian with the Egyptian’s own spear

4. had a name among the three mighties- v.24

5. David’s guard

F. Asahel, Elhanan, Shammoth, Helez, Ira, Abiezer, Sibbecai, Ilai, Maharai, Heled, Ithai, Benaiah, Hurai, Abiel, Azmaveth, Eliahba, The sons of Hashem, Jonathan, Ahiam, Eliphal, Hepher, Ahijah, Hezro, Naarai, Joel, Mibhar, Zelek, Naharai, Ira, Gareb, Uriah the Hittite (whom David had killed for his wife Bathsheba), Zabad, Adina, Hanan, Joshaphat, Uzzia, Shama, Jejehiel, Jediael, Joha, Eliel, Jeribai, Joshaviah, Ithmah, Eliel, Obed, and Jasiel- v.v. 26-47.

The names of these men were recorded in God’s word as the mighty men of King David. In Chapter 12 verses 2 and 8 state that these men were, “… armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow…and men of war fit for the battle, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;” There are so many people that have been forgotten through time. But God made sure that these men were mentioned.

What is it that we can learn from these “Mighty Men” of King David?

A. Loyalty

B. Commitment

C. Sacrifice

D. Love for their leader

E. They strengthened themselves with their leader- 11:10

F. Disciplined and trained in their field- 12: 2

G. Fit for the Battle- 12: 8

H. Skilled- 12: 8

I. Hardened- “whose faces were like the faces of lions” 12:8