The Mighty Men
November 24 | Rick Thiemke
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2 Samuel 23:13-17
13 And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, when a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. 15 And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” 16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the Lord 17 and said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.
When we read passages like this from the Old Testament, there is a tendency for us to read them simply as stories with a moral lesson for us - just examples of what we should aspire to or avoid in our own lives. You will not know God if you only read the Bible on a moralistic level.
However, when Jesus came back from the dead and met with His disciples, He opened their minds regarding the Old Testament so that they could understand that it is all about Him (Luke 24:44-48).
You can either read the Bible moralistically or you can read it redemptively. You can either read it as mainly about us or mainly about Jesus. Unless you see the Scriptures as primarily about Jesus, you will not really find your life changed.
Insights From This Story
Today’s story happens a few months after David is crowned king. The Philistines invaded Israel in hopes of knocking down this new king. David retreated back to the cave of Adullam. The Philistines are encamped at the Valley of Rephaim and a garrison was at Bethlehem (verse 13). The Philistines had taken over Bethlehem, David’s hometown. David is now in the wilderness again, this time as king, and he is about to be overthrown.
In verse 15, David breathes a sigh, a desperate exhausted cry. He is not thirsty. They had a spring at the camp. He is not longing for the sweet waters of Bethlehem because of a physical thirst. He is longing for something more. David is spiritually wrestling with God’s promises.
The water from the gate of Bethlehem was very sweet, and to David it represented the favor of God. Verse 15 is not a command - it is a sigh, a cry from David’s heart.
The top three mightiest of the mighty men heard their king’s longing and realized the significance (verse 16). They bet their lives on the promise of God, and they showed total devotion to their master.
And then we're told they brought it back to David and he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out before the Lord (verse 16). He made it an offering of thankfulness - an act of worship. David realized that if these men could do such a thing, that surely God was with him.
Here are a few takeaways:
Anything that you think you earned is really a gift from God.
The king's wish was their command.
There Is Someone Who Has Heard Your Sigh
There is someone who has overheard your heart sighing for the water of life, for home, just like David. We experience a thirst for some kind of water. Jesus has heard your sigh and cry for water and went to battle toward the enemy. He broke through the lines at the cost of His life. His life poured out gives us more assurance that God is with us than David had. David received a sacrifice that was temporary, but we have received a once and for all sacrifice.
David found assurance because men risked their life for him. We have the Son of God Himself who gave His life for us. See what He has done for you. He is The Mighty Man. He is the hero. Delight in Him, pour out the life that has been gifted to you, and you will be a mighty man or woman of God.
Discussion Questions
What is something that you have worked really hard for in life and you feel like you have really earned? Is it tough to see that as a gift from God? What would it look like to worship the Lord with it?
Rick said, “The relationship between a true believer and Jesus is so radically personal. The relationship between a religious person and God is very impersonal.” Unpack the thoughts that come to you regarding those statements.
What is your sigh or cry to the Lord?