David’s Mighty Men

Read 2 Samuel 23:8-39
 
2 Samuel 23:15-17, 39 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, O Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men…39 and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.
 
THE Scripture moves from David’s praise of God into an affirmation of the men who have fought with and sacrificed for David through many battles and years from the time Saul pursued David. Three mighty men, Josheb-Basshebet, Eleazer and Shammah, were especially Spirit-empowered to exhibit supernatural strength and fortitude. Their feats mirror Samson’s. None were Israelites. God uses all nations to his purpose.
    The three also risked their lives to retrieve water David desired from Bethlehem. Why did David pour it on the ground? Didn’t this insult the three? Instead, this honors the three. David recognized the selfishness of his desire. He saw the men’s love and commitment caused them to risk their lives over a trifle. His offering to the LORD was his testimony to the men, thanking God that their lives were secure, despite David’s foolish pleasure.
    It’s too bad he did not realize that with Uriah the Hittite. This conclusion to the exploits of David’s mighty men points us to an often-ignored or unknown tragedy of David’s sin with Bathsheba. Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, was one of the 37 mighty men who helped David survive Saul’s pursuit and defeat Israel’s enemies. The loyal Uriah, born of a warrior nation, placed his allegiance to God, his fellow soldiers and the king above his desires. His loyalty cost him his life as David only considered his own desires.
    David’s life was certainly stained with much blood. God’s mercy, though, extended to him through the future promise of Jesus’ blood.
 
Psalms 149:4 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.