DEVOTIONAL

The imagery in this passage fills my mind with scenes of high school pep rallies, Fightin’ Texas Aggie Midnight Yell, team obstacle course challenges at camp, and so forth. People unified with arms locked together on mission to achieve victory. The mighty men of Israel are next level. The account in 2 Samuel 5 expands in greater detail as you read 1 Chronicles 11-12. Here is where the progression from three to a few hundred thousand unfolds. Again, I have to remind myself David does not know that he will have thousands standing behind him when he finally becomes the King of Israel. And the beautiful part is that these men of valor, the mighty men who can wield a spear and strike down 300 men, get behind David in the hardest season. The first men that provide strong support to David is when David is on the run from King Saul. David looks over his shoulder to see these mighty men running with him in full support and commitment to him. They are tethered to each other in the hardest season of life.

Q: Our friendships may not require wielding a spear, but who are the handful of people you choose to tether yourself to? Celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness in the hardest and easiest seasons of those friendships.

Q: Also ask yourself, are you someone others want to be tethered to?

As you read through the names of the chiefs of David’s mighty men and the tribes of Israel represented, the chronicler includes some interesting tidbits to give context as you visualize a “mighty man” in the 21st century. I picked up the fact that they are specialized, well-trained experts in their craft which happens to be war and strategy. These men are fearless, loyal, and probably pretty rough dudes. They are a mix of different tribes unified under David. Also, their motivation to place their 

We are yours, O David, and with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers! For your God helps you.

1 Chronicles 12:18

allegiance with David, and outrightly against King Saul, is expressed in 1 Chronicles 12:18 that says, “We are yours, O David, and with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers! For your God helps you.”

How refreshing is this response to David? From the moment Saul entered the scene the nation of Israel has fumbled through survival in uncertainty, anxiousness, and doubt. The opposite of peace. To add context, the men are specifically from Benjamin which implies they are relatives of Saul (12:2). I wonder whether David felt the enormity of the Lord’s power in this moment because hearts are changing allegiances to follow the Lord and not just the King of Israel. Does David take a moment by himself to praise the Lord for these men? Can you hear the prayer of David asking for his allegiance to remain tethered to the Lord?

The rest of chapter 12 is a picture of restoration for Israel through the faithfulness of the mighty men of David. One detail that stands out is that the Lord sends men to David until a great army forms, “like an army of God” (12:22). David is not tasked to select and train men. David does not have to beg or compromise with men to join his army. The Lord called David out of the good pasture. And David said yes. The Lord anointed David as the next king. And David said yes. The Lord sent the might men to David. And David received them. I am picking up a consistent rhythm, but it is difficult to live this out in our lives during the hardest seasons. Am I right? Look at 1 Chronicles 12:38-40 for encouragement. The Lord who restores joy and peace in a community that was anxious and doubtful and at literal war with each other is the same Lord in your dark and difficult seasons.

Now, close your eyes and dream with me for a moment. What faces do you see in the stands of a pep rally cheering you on with shouts of encouragement? Who is that loyal friend you see harnessed next to you on the edge of a cliff that sticks with you in adventure and uncertainty? Each person represents the “mighty men” in your life the Lord sends to you in the seasons when you need them. The faces you see are the people the Lord wants you to lock arms with together to go on mission and achieve victory for His great name. Oh, how faithful the Lord is to us!

Q: In 1 Chronicles 12:39 David and his men celebrated for three days. When is the last time you celebrated the Lord’s faithfulness in your friendships? Do your friends know the value they hold in your life? Grab your party hat and dancing shoes. It’s time to celebrate!

Additional Reading: Psalm 133, 106, 107