I Chronicles 11
David made king of all Israelverses 1-3
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron – saying
BEHOLD – we are your bone and your flesh
And moreover in time past – even when Saul was king
you were he that led out and brought in Israel
and the LORD your God said to you
You shall feed MY people Israel
You shall be ruler over MY people Israel
Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron
and David made a covenant with them in Hebron
before the LORD
and they anointed David king over Israel
according to the word of the LORD by Samuel
David captures Jerusalemverses 4-5
And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem – which is Jebus
were the Jebusites were the inhabitants of the land
And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David
You shall not come hither
Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion
which is the city of David
Joab becomes commander of army of Israelverse 6
And David said
Whosoever smites the Jebusites
first shall be chief and captain
So, Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up
and was chief
Jerusalem called “city of David”verses 7-9
And David dwelt in the castle
therefore they called it the city of David
and he built the city round about
even from Millo round about
and Joab repaired the rest of the city
So David waxed greater and greater
for the LORD of hosts was with him
Introduces mighty warriors of Israelverses 10-14
These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had
who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom
and with all Israel – to make him king
according to the word of the LORD
concerning Israel
And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had
Jashobeam – a Hachmonite – the chief of the captains
he lifted up his spear against
three hundred slain by him
And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo – the Ahohite
who was one of the three mighties
he was with David at Pas-dammim
and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle
where was a parcel of ground full of barley
and the people fled from before the Philistines
and they set themselves in the midst of that parcel
and delivered it and slew the Philistines
and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance
One feat of three might men describedverses 15-19
Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock of David
into the cave of Adullam
and the host of the Philistines encamped
in the valley of Rephaim
And David was then in the hold – and the Philistines’ garrison
was then at Bethlehem and David longed – and said
Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the
well of Bethlehem – that is at the gate
And the three brake through the host of the Philistines
and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem
that was by the gate and took it
and brought it to David
BUT David would not drink of it
BUT poured it out to the LORD
And said – My God forbid it me – that I should do this thing
shall I drink the blood of these men that have
put their lives in jeopardy?
FOR with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it
THEREFORE, he would not drink it
these things did these three mightiest
Abishai – top leader of the thirtyverses 20-21
And Abishai the brother of Joab – he was chief of the three
for lifting up his spear against three hundred – he slew them
and had a name among the three
Of the three – he was more honorable than the two
for he was their captain
howbeit he attained not to the first three
Benaiah – captain of the body guardsverses 22-25
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada – the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel
who had done many acts,
he slew two lionlike men of Moab
also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day
and he slew an Egyptian – a man of great stature
five cubits high
and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam
and he went down to him with a staff
and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand
and slew him with his own spear
These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
and had the name among the three mighties
Behold – he was honorable among the thirty
but attained not to the first three
and David set him over his guard
List of valiant men of Davidverses 26-47
Also the valiant men of the armies were
Asahel – the brother of Joab & Elhanan
the son of Dodo of Bethlehem
Shammoth – the Harorite & Helez – the Pelonite
Ira – the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite & Abi-ezer – the Antothite
Sibbecai – the Hushathite & Ilai – the Ahohite
Maharai – the Netophathite – Heled
the son of Baanah the Netophathite
Ithai – the son of Ribai of Gibeah
that pertained to the children of Benjamin
Benaiah – the Pirathonite & Hurai of the brooks of Gaash
Abiel – the Arbathite & Azmaveth – the Baharumite
Eliahba – the Shaalbonite & the sons of Hashem – the Gizonite
Jonathan – the son of Shage the Hararite
Ahiam – the son of Sacar the Hararite & Eliphal – the son of Ur
Hepher – the Mecherathite & Ahijah – the Pelonite
Hezro – the Carmelite & Naarai – the son of Ezbai
Joel the brother of Nathan & Mibhar – the son of Haggeri
Zelek – the Ammonite
Naharai – the Berothite – the armor-bearer of Joab
the son of Zeruiah
Ira – the Ithrite & Gareb – the Ithrite & Uriah – the Hittite
Zabad – the son of Ahlai
Adina – the son of Shiza the Reubenite
a captain of the Reubenites
and thirty with him
Hanan – the son of Maachah & Joshaphat – the Mithnite
Uzzia – the Ashterathite
Shama and Jehiel – the sons of Hothan the Aroerite
Jediael – the son of Shimri & Joha – his brother – the Tizite
Eliel – the Mahavite & Jeribai and Joshaviah
the sons of Elnaam
Ithmah – the Moabite & Eliel & Obed & Jasiel – Mesobaite
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, you were he that led out and brought in Israel: and the LORD your God said to you, You shall feed MY people Israel, and you shall be ruler over MY people Israel. (7462 “shall feed” [ra‘ah] means graze, to drive out to pasture, to shepherd, protect, to rule over a group of people, conceived of as tending sheep or goats, to delight in)
DEVOTION: Israel gathered around David after the death of Saul to elect him king over the nation of Israel. They knew from past experience that David was a great leader. He had led the army during the time of Saul to many great victories. They needed to have someone lead that knew how to fight and knew the LORD. David fit into both categories and they wanted him as their king.
When they spoke to David, they reminded him of what the LORD told him in the past through the prophet Samuel. He was to be a shepherd of the children of Israel. He was to care for the people just like a shepherd cared for the sheep that were under his care.
David started out his young life as the family shepherd. He was with the sheep when Samuel came to anoint a new king over Israel. He told Saul of his experience while caring for the sheep of killing a lion and a bear.
These were not small battles for a young man but he was not afraid of the animals nor was he afraid of the giant Goliath. He understood what it meant to trust in the LORD at a young age to help him face any enemy and have victory.
Today we need to realize the same thing starting at a young age. We need to teach young believers how to fight the enemies they will face in the future by helping have victory when they are young over some of the temptation the enemy puts in their life.
Training needs to start young and it will influence a life for its duration. David has had many victories as he was running away from Saul. We need to look back on our life and see what victories the LORD has given us and then work on seeing HIM give us more.
CHALLENGE: Don’t keep everything “in the past,” move it to the present and even into the future with the LORD. Honor HIM and HE will honor you.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, You shall not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David. (4686 “castle” [matsuwd] means mountain stronghold, a fortified city or a city bearing the characteristics of a stronghold, fortress, or a place where one resides as a hiding or defensive position, often occupying a natural land formation in the high inaccessible rock or hill area)
DEVOTION: Have you ever been told by someone that you can’t do something? They told you that it was impossible for you to be able to do something that you thought the LORD wanted you to do. Most of the time these same individuals will give you a list of reasons why you will not succeed in doing what you think you would be able to do because there are too many problems involved.
This is what the residents of Jerusalem told David when he came to fight against this strong city. However, David didn’t back down but offered the man who would lead the others to victory that he could be the captain of his army.
Well, the city was taken by Joab and it became known as the city of David. David set up his place of residence in the castle of Zion. He made the capital of the nation of Israel the city of Jerusalem. It has been the capital until this day for the children of Israel.
The rest of the world is fighting against the nation of Israel even today. They don’t want them to have Jerusalem. They don’t want them to even exist but they continue to find that all the nations of the world are not going to win the battle against this chosen nation.
Today the nation of Israel doesn’t believe the Messiah has come but one day they will and HE will set up HIS kingdom in Jerusalem again and reign for a thousand years.
David was not a perfect man but one whose heart was tender toward the LORD and he wanted to honor the LORD. That is the type of heart we need to have toward Jesus Christ. HE has come as the Messiah and we need to tell others about our relationship with HIM.
CHALLENGE: The world continues to tell us we can’t have victory but we know the end of the story which is recorded in the Bible. We have victory through Jesus Christ.
: 9 So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him. (1980 “waxed greater and greater” [halak] means to behave, to continue a certain state, condition or activity, flow with, adhere to, proceed, walk about, behave, walk, or walking as regular and patterned)
DEVOTION: Once we become a follower of the LORD it is a growing process to learn what HE expects of us. Here we find that David was given the position of king over Israel and he was to listen to the LORD and follow HIS leading into becoming a great leader over the nation of Israel.
It was a long learning process. He failed at times but his actions were pleasing to the LORD most of the time. When they were not pleasing the LORD would chasten him to get him back to a proper position to grow in his knowledge and service to the LORD.
HE does the same things with us. Once we make a commitment to HIM HE directs our steps and teaches us what HE expects of us. If we listen we continue to grow. If we don’t listen HE has to correct us through trials and tribulations.
If seems that we have a problem with just following HIM day in and day out. This was true of David at times and it is true of us. We need to learn to listen to HIM. Most of the time it comes easy but others it is not.
God wants us to grow in our knowledge and service to HIM. We should realize it is for our own good but most of the time our old nature gains control and we rebel against the LORD which happened in David case and in our case.
HE wants us to love HIM and appreciate HIM for all that HE is doing for us. HE wants us to be faithful servant to HIM. We can resist HIS leading but it is not wise.
CHALLENGE: Following HIM is not always easy but it is the best way to go. Listen to HIM through HIS word and through those who love HIM.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 14 And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance. (3467 “saved” [yasha] means preserved, delivered, to give victory to, deliver from external evils, to set free, to aid, or to be helped)
DEVOTION: While everyone else was running away David and Eleazar the son of Dodo stood in a field and defeated the enemy with the help of the LORD. Eleazar was one of three men who stood out with distinction as a great warrior for the LORD. The LORD gave them victory over the Philistines where it seemed there was no victory to be had.
We have to realize that there will be times when we have to stand alone or with just one other person. If this stand is Biblical then the LORD can give one or two a victory over an army of those who are against the LORD’S commands.
David was to be king and he had to lead his people into victories over forces that no one thought they could win against but with the LORD’S help they came away with a victory.
We have to have the courage of a David when we are fighting battles for the LORD and HIS people. We have to know what we believe and defend it to the death if necessary.
Our future is always in the hands of the LORD. If HE chooses not to give us victory HE has HIS reasons. Our hearts have to be right with HIM, in order for him to use us for HIS glory and honor.
We should always give the glory to the LORD after a victory. We should never take the credit for what the LORD is doing in our lives and in our world. Always give HIM the credit and HE will honor us.
David was given victory over giants in the land. We don’t seem to have too many giants or individuals with great height that we are fighting today but we have many who have great influence in our world that we have to speak out against when they are not honoring the LORD with their conversation. This will include those who claim to be believers but who are not honoring the LORD with their teachings and life.
CHALLENGE: David was willing to fight the battle alone or with a small force because he knew the LORD was there to help. We need to do the same even today.
: 19 And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? For with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. These things did these three mightiest. (5315 “lives in jeopardy” [nephesh] that which breathes, soul, the inner being of man, activity of the will, or heart.)
DEVOTION: Are you brave? Are you a fighter? Were you number one on your football, basketball or wrestling team? Were you ever a state champion?
There are teams that work together to win victories. The Olympic hockey team of the United States that were not supposed to win won a victory they were not supposed to be able to do some years back.
David became king of Israel after the death of Saul. He was wandering in the wilderness during the latter part of Saul’s reign because Saul wanted to kill him.
While he was wandering and running from Saul, he gathered men together to form a type of army. He was the captain. They served him before he became king and after he was king.
These men were important to David. He divided them into at least two groups. There was the group of three and the group of thirty. We have a list of these men given to us.
David was at battle with the Philistines. They had Bethlehem as their base camp. David wanted some water from the well in Bethlehem. His mighty men when into the camp of the Philistines and brought him some water. David would not drink the water but poured it out before the LORD as a sacrifice to HIM.
These men went at the risk of their lives to get their leader a drink of water from the middle of the enemy camp. This was an activity of the loyalty for them. They counted the cost and still did it. David poured the water out before the LORD because he felt that it needed to be given to the LORD because of the sacrifice the men gave to get the water.
Are we willing to lay down our lives for our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST? Are we willing to go into the camp of the Philistines?
Who are the Philistines today? They are all those who despise our LORD. They are the ones who have their own gods to worship. They consider Jesus to be a false god. They want nothing to do with HIM.
Our society considers it OK to say bad things against Christ and think nothing of it. Are we willing to speak up for HIM? It might come to the point where in America we could be sent to prison for our beliefs.
If they declare it a hate crime to preach against some of the sins that are found in the Bible, those who are true to the Word of God, could be in put in prison or killed. We need to count the cost of following Jesus. Many will deny the faith, rather than, be put in prison or killed. Are we one of them?
When the Holy Spirit prompts us to do a service for HIM, how do we respond? Sometimes service is simple. Sometimes it is difficult. The LORD is looking for willing servants to do both.
CHALLENGE: Remember to answer the LORD with “Here am I” when HE calls.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Poured water before the LORDverse 18
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of the LORDverses 3, 10
Samuelverse 3
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 2, 3, 9, 10, 14, 18
God – Elohim (Creator)verses 2, 19
LORD thy Godverse 2
Word of the LORDverses 3, 10
LORD of hostsverse 9
LORD saved by a great deliveranceverse 14
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Jebusitesverses 4-6
Philistinesverses 13-18
Moabverse 22
Egyptianverse 23
Hittiteverse 41
Mesobaiteverse 47
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Feedverse 2
Rulerverse 2
Covenantverse 3
Anointedverse 3
Savedverse 14
Deliveranceverse 14
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Davidverses 1-47
Feed Israel
Rule over Israel
King in Hebron
Anointed
Took the castle of Zion
Became city of David
Waxed greater and greater
Wanted a drink from Bethlehem
Poured drink out to the LORD
Mighty men listed who served him
Elders of Israelverse 3
Samuelverse 3
Jerusalemverse 4
Castle of Zionverses 5, 7
City of Davidverses 5, 7
Mighty men of Davidverses 10–25
Jashobeam – an Hachmonite
Chief of the captains
Eleazar – son of Dodo
One of the mighty three
Abishai the brother of Joab
Chief of the three
More honorable
Benaiah – son of Jehoiada
Son of a valiant man of Kabzeel
Slew an Egyptian
Israelverse 10
Bethlehemverses 16-18
Valiant men of the armiesverses 26-47
Asahel – brother of Joab
Elhanan – son of Dodo of Bethlehem
Shammoth the Harorite
Helez the Pelonite
Ira – son of Ikkesh the Teokoite
Abiezer the Anothite
Maharai the Netophathite
Hai the Ahohite
Maharia the Netophathite
Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite
Ithai the son of Ribal of Gibeah
Children of Benjamin
Benaiah the Pirathonite
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash
Abiel the Arbathite
Azmaveth the Baharumite
Eliahba the Shaalbonite
Sons of Hashem the Gizonite
Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite
Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite
Eliphal the son of Ur
Hepher the Mecherathite
Ahijah the Pelonite
Hepher the Mecherathite
Ahijah the Pelonite
Hezro the Carmelite
Naarai the son of Ezbai
Joel the brother of Nathan
Mibhar the son of Haggeri
Zelek the Ammonite
Naharai the Berothite
the armorbearer of Joab
the son of Zeruiah
Ira the Ithrite
Gareb the Ithrite
Uriah the Hittite
Zabad the son of Ahlai
Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite
a captain of the Reubenites
and thirty with him
Hanan the son of Maachah
Joshaphat the Mithnite
Uzzia the Ashterathite
Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan
the Aroerite
Jediael – the son of Shimri
Joha his brother the Tizite
Eliel the Mahavite,
Jeribai
Joshaviah
Sons of Elnaam
Ithmah the Moabite
Eliel
Obed
Hasiel the Mesobaite
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
22 The NIV phrase about Moab’s “best men” reads in the Hebrew the “ʾariʾēl of Moab” “Ariel” must here be used, not in its impersonal sense of “the altar-hearth of God” Isa 29:1–2, 7; = harʾēl, Ezek 43:15–16), but in its personal sense (Curtis), literally, “the lions of God,” a superlative idiom, meaning that Benaiah overcame “the mighty lions (of Moab)” (KJV, “lionlike men”).
23–25 When the spear of Benaiah’s Egyptian opponent is said to be like “a weaver’s rod,” the reference is to the heavy shaft of a loom that holds the threads taut; i.e., this was a massive weapon. For such heroism he became commander of David’s professional Cretan and Philistine troops (1 Chronicles 18:17) and later of Solomon’s entire army (1 Kings 4:4). (Payne, J. B. (1988). 1, 2 Chronicles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 376). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Benaiah became known because of his slaughter of the two mighty Moabites, a lion in a pit, and an Egyptian … seven and a half feet tall. Benaiah was put in charge of David’s bodyguard (vv. 22–25). Later Solomon advanced him to Joab’s place as commander-in-chief (cf. 1 Kings 2:35). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 604). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, †who had done many acts; nhe slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
23 And he slew an Egyptian, †a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.
24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighties. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 1, p. 793). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)
15–47. We know not which to admire most, the bravery of those men, or the piety of David, in the instance concerning the water of Bethlehem here recorded. With what boldness did they enter the host of the Philistines with their lives in their hands, for the assuaging David’s thirst? And how truly noble the conduct of David, in refusing the gratification, when he thought upon the peril with which it was purchased. Oh, gracious Jesus! how much to be prized are thy mercies, when the price with which they were obtained is considered. Be thou to me, dear Lord, a well of water in my soul, that I thirst after nothing but thee, and salvation in thee, for in thee I have all things. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 350). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
2 Sam. 23:20–23. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, “Jehoiada the priest” according to 1 Chron. 27:5, possibly the one who was “prince for Aaron,” i.e., of the family of Aaron, according to 1 Chron. 12:27, was captain of the Crethi and Plethi according to 2 Sam. 8:18 and 20:23. He was the son of a brave man, rich in deeds (חַי is evidently an error for חַיִל in the Chronicles), of Kabzeel in the south of Judah (Josh. 15:21). “He smote the two Ariels of Moab.” The Arabs and Persians call every remarkably brave man Ariel, or lion of God (vid., Bochart, Hieroz. ii. pp. 7, 63). They were therefore two celebrated Moabitish heroes. The supposition that they were sons of the king of the Moabites is merely founded upon the conjecture of Thenius and Bertheau, that the word בְּנֵי (sons of) has dropped out before Ariel. “He also slew the lion in the well on the day of the snow,” i.e., a lion which had been driven into the neighbourhood of human habitations by a heavy fall of snow, and had taken refuge in a cistern. The Chethib הָאַרְיֵה and בְּאֵר are the earlier forms for the Keris substituted by the Masoretes הָאֲרִי and הַבֹּור, and consequently are not to be altered. He also slew an Egyptian of distinguished size. According to the Keri we should read אִישׁ מַרְאֶה (instead of אֲשֶׁר מַרְאֶה), “a man of appearance,” i.e., a distinguished man, or a man of great size, ἄνδρα ὀρατόν (LXX); in the Chronicles it is simplified as אִישׁ מִדָּה, a man of measure, i.e., of great height. This man was armed with a spear or javelin, whereas Benaiah was only armed with a stick; nevertheless the latter smote him, took away his spear, and slew him with his own weapon. According to the Chronicles the Egyptian was five cubits high, and his spear like a weaver’s beam. Through these feats Benaiah acquired a name among the three, though he did not equal them (vv. 22, 23, as in vv. 18, 19); and David made him a member of his privy council (see at 1 Sam. 22:14). (Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (1996). Commentary on the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 702). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.)
15–47. We know not which to admire most, the bravery of those men, or the piety of David, in the instance concerning the water of Bethlehem here recorded. With what boldness did they enter the host of the Philistines with their lives in their hands, for the assuaging David’s thirst? And how truly noble the conduct of David, in refusing the gratification, when he thought upon the peril with which it was purchased. Oh, gracious Jesus! how much to be prized are thy mercies, when the price with which they were obtained is considered. Be thou to me, dear Lord, a well of water in my soul, that I thirst after nothing but thee, and salvation in thee, for in thee I have all things. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, p. 350). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
THIS chapter treats of David’s being anointed king by all Israel, ver. 1–3. which agrees with 2 Sam. 5:1, 2, 3. see the notes there, and of his taking Jerusalem from the Jebusites, ver. 4–9. the account of which we have 2 Sam. 5:6–10. see the notes there; only here we are told, that it was Joab that smote the Jebusites first, and so was made chief captain according to David’s promise; and that he also repaired the rest of the city David built round about; perhaps the fortifications demolished in taking it, ver. 6, 8. or rather, as others give the sense, he saved alive those that remained in the city, after he had slain the lame and the blind; though a learnedc writer conjectures it should be read, and Joab יחיח was made שר the governor of the city; and the Targum is, “Joab governed the rest of the city.” And then follows an account of David’s mighty men and worthies, ver. 10–41. of whom see the notes on 2 Sam. 23. ver. 8–39 and others are added here, ver. 42–47. of whom we know no more than their names. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 23). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Never Ashamed
“For the Scripture saith, Whosoever, believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:11)
Just where does the Scripture say this? Paul is apparently quoting here from Isaiah 28:16, which is the following: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
The question is: Why did Paul change the Hebrew word for “make haste” to the Greek word for “be ashamed”? He did the same thing in Romans 9:33. “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” This verse makes the question even more involved because here Paul combines the quote with Isaiah 8:14: “And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence.” Note also 1 Peter 2:6-8, which combines both verses with Psalm 118:22: “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
The Greek Septuagint translation apparently rendered “make haste” (which is the correct meaning of the Hebrew word, as confirmed by all its other uses in the Old Testament) by a Greek word meaning something like “put to shame.” More importantly, however, these passages illustrate the truth that the Holy Spirit (the real Author of the Bible) has a perfect right to interpret His writing however He will. And He interpreted “make haste” to mean “be ashamed.”
That is, when we believe on Christ, we never need to flee in haste from His enemies, for we can never be put to shame when anchored on this sure foundation. As the Lord said in another passage: “They shall not be ashamed that wait for me” (Isaiah 49:23). (HMM The Institute for Creation Research)
After many years of delay, David assumes Israel’s throne.
INSIGHT
Earlier, Samuel had anointed David-then a young, inexperienced boy-to be king over Israel. Fourteen years elapsed between Samuel’s anointing and the time when David actually assumes the rule over all of Israel.
Instead of luxuriating in the royal palace during these years, David runs from cave to cave, trying to escape from Saul who is bent on killing him. But it is these difficult experiences that build into David the strength of character, the convictions, the sensitivity to right and wrong, and the vision to be a great king.
Even for us today, the road to transformation always goes through the tunnel of trials. (Quiet Walk)
THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL
The light of the body is the eye: therefore, when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
Luke 11:34
There is nothing so disconcerting as a plain, direct gospel that, stripping away all mere decorations and embellishments and ignoring all nonessentials and make-believes, exposes the naked soul and flashed onto it the light of God. How much easier it is to appreciate the ceremony and ritual, to indulge in high-sounding, idealistic generalities, and to be busy with philanthropic actions. How much more gratifying to the natural self are these than to face the simple direct questions of the Word of God. Idealists and humanists are rarely, if ever, persecuted.
But leaving all that, let us consider positively the gospel view of life and the solution of the gospel for the problems of life. That there is nothing so characteristic of it as its essential simplicity is seen most clearly perhaps if we look at it in the light of some words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ. He said, “The light of the body is the eye: therefore, when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness” (Luke 11:34).
If we work out the picture found in those words, we shall see plainly the simplicity of the gospel. Our Lord says that what the eye is to the body in the matter of light, the soul is to man, and the individual man is to society. Thus, we see that there is in man something vital and central. Man is not a mere collection and aggregate of parts. There is a center to his life called the soul, as vital to his life as the eye is to the body in the matter of light.
A Thought to Ponder: Our Lord says that what the eye is to the body in the matter of light, the soul is to man.
(From Truth Unchanged, Unchanging, pp. 88-89, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Goliath the Philistine challenges Israel’s army.
INSIGHT
When God goes to war, there are no accidents. Just as He uses Gideon and an army of only 300 to rout the Midianite army that was “without number,” so He uses a boy with a slingshot to rout the Philistine army. In 2 Chronicles 18:33, “a certain man drew a bow at random,” but it “struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor.” There are no accidents when God goes to war.
We can take comfort in this fact in relationship to the spiritual warfare in which we all find ourselves. The obstacles may seem insurmountable. But if we are on God’s side, no foe is too great. (Quiet Walk)
MISGUIDED ZEAL
I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Romans 10:2
The Jews were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, but they did not recognize Him when He came. They who declared themselves anxious to be just with God were rejecting the one way whereby mankind can be justified before God.
To Paul there was but one explanation of that tragedy. He expressed it in the words, “I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” He granted that their view was quite honest and quite sincere. The trouble with the Jews was not that they lacked sincerity, but rather that they trusted to it and, because of their reliance on it, neglected to consider the further light and knowledge that the gospel could give them on the very object that they desired. Again, their difficulty was not that they lacked fervor, but that they trusted to it and argued that because they were zealous, they were therefore of necessity right. “They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Indeed, they rejected the knowledge the Gospel was offering them because of that very ardor. The conflict in their case was between zeal and knowledge, between sincerity and truth.
There can be no doubt at all but that these qualities—zeal and sincerity—are being exalted in our day precisely as they were by the Jews of old. Knowledge is being depreciated, almost despised. Clear, logical thinking and exact definitions are discounted. Doctrine and dogma are taboo and regarded as being almost the enemies of truth, and even good deeds are not given the prominence they had a few years ago.
A Thought to Ponder
These qualities—zeal and sincerity—are being exalted in our day precisely as they were by the Jews of old.
(From Truth Unchanged, Unchanging, pp. 60-61, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Never Too Late
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today, shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
One of the two thieves on the cross continued in unbelief right up until the time he died (Luke 23:39), but the second repented and believed unto salvation. The one assures us that no one need despair, since it is always possible to accept Christ at any time before death. The other warns us, on the other hand, that no one should presume. Long-continued rebellion against God is likely to become so fixed in one’s character that sincere repentance may become impossible.
The repentant thief, beholding Christ and hearing the first of the seven so-called “words from the cross” (Luke 23:34), came to believe that Jesus truly was Lord and that He could, indeed, grant forgiveness and salvation.
The penitent thief had no opportunity to be baptized, to change his lifestyle, or to do anything whatever except repent, believe on Christ, and confess his faith (Romans 10:9-10). And that was sufficient!
Both thieves would die that day, and the soul of the unrepentant thief would soon descend into Hades, there to await condemnation at the future judgment day. The other, because of his trust in Christ, would go with Him to paradise.
The tragedy is that far too many people, assuring themselves that it is never too late, keep waiting until it becomes forever too late! “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). The overwhelming majority of people who come to trust in Christ for salvation do so when they are young. Very few come to the Lord when they are old or about to die. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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