“Don’t send a boy to do a man’s job.” That is the phrase we use when something is challenging and it is going to take a little extra to get the job done. (or we jokingly use it when teasing someone about coming after us).
That is how I felt as I read I Chronicles 10-11 this morning. Chapter 10 is fairly benign-the death of Saul’s sons and the death of Saul himself (by suicide). But chapter 11 opens a whole new chapter as David takes over as king. What is interesting about this chapter is instead of lauding David’s feats, it spends time talking about David’s mighty warriors. He had the mightiest warriors called the Three. The leader of the Three was named Jashobeam the Hacmonite. It says he once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. Next in rank was Eleazer son of Dodai. He and David held their ground in the middle of a barley field and beat back the Philistines. This was after the rest of the Israelite Army had fled.
David was also surrounded by his 30 Mighty Men. One, Abishai, used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. He was the commander of the 30. Another of the 30 was Benaiah son of Jehoida. He killed two champions of Moab (giants?). Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. Once, armed only with a club, he killed an Egyptian warrior who was 71/2′ tall and who was armed with a spear as thick as a weaver’s beam. He wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.
Feats like this make us think Marvel-Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, etc. But these men were not armed with superpowers. No machine or pill or something that made Marvel comic book heroes was present in these men. No, in fact, they had nothing of the sort. What they did have is found in Psalm 89:13-14- “Powerful in your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted in glorious strength. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.” (NLT) There are multiple passages in Psalms where God’s strength is on full display. I’m reminded of a song I like to listen when I work out. It contains the following lyrics: “Evil is his name/Oh the Dragon’s rage!/Who can save us from his war flame?/ Knight in shining armor won’t do/Jesus, Lamb of God, is His name/Indeed He came to our rescue/We cry victory! Victory! The Dragon’s lost this war!” (“Victory” from Ashes of War by Shining Light Music-2025) (You can find the song on YouTube and Spotify. Be forewarned: it is not tame). 🙂
God has not promised an easy life. He has promised HIS strength to get through every battle of this life. May you experience His Victory today.
Jesus is truly our super hero, Bill. When He fights for us, the Enemy is defeated always! I do love the examples from the OT that you used to illustrate this, too.
Blessings!
When He fights for us, the Enemy is defeated. AMEN and AMEN!
So much to digest here, but the key fact remains.
Ephesians 6:12 — For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
We are at war! We can choose to fight or we can choose to sit on the sidelines. For those who engage in the battle, it is not easy.
And you are 100% correct, we battle with His armor and His weapons and His strength. Not against the world, that is what we are fighting to redeem and protect… Those who need saved from the enemy!
Good Scripture to use Ryan! We are at war and it cannot and will never be won by conventional weapons.
I truly believe that living a christian life is extremely hard. You have to keep your eyes on God’s promises, and the future rewards so that you do not fall into the pit of this not fair. I often read psalms where David is just devastated asking God, why are you hiding from me, where are you. In the end of the psalm David is always praising God. When we serve a perfect God, whose love is deeper for us than can be explained, how can we ever question God. However, somehow if we are not careful even if we do not say it out loud, our heart shows us our true old self. As David did, we must remember to give praise, and thank God for his never ending grace, mercy, and love. 1Timothy1:17
Your comment is not only good but true Gail. I marvel as I read David’s words in Psalms and all his questions and he finishes by praising God. we also need to remember to give praise for His goodness and grace (as you said).