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1 Chronicles Chapter 11 (ESV)
10 Now these are the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel. 11 This is an account of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against 300 whom he killed at one time.
12 And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite. 13 He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines were gathered there for battle. There was a plot of ground full of barley, and the men fled from the Philistines. 14 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and killed the Philistines. And the Lord saved them by a great victory.
15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David at the cave of Adullam, when the army of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. 17 And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” 18 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 took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the Lord 19 and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.
REFLECTION:
- Eleazar’s action changed the course of the battle. People around him were running for their lives but he took his stand and was saved by God. We are often scared in battle so we do not witness for God and we are not able to enjoy the fruit of victory from God. When we face our fear with courage and stand firm in our faith by trusting God, we will have the final victory. In spiritual battles, am I as courageous as Eleazar or am I timid and fearful?
- The three mighty men risked their lives to bring water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem for David. David appreciated these mighty men because they were faithful to him since they trusted God. David would not drink the water and instead he offered it as a sacrifice to God since only God deserves to receive this sacrifice. Reflect on what we could learn from these three mighty men serving others wholeheartedly without self-gain (Rom 12:10). When we serve others, we are also serving God.
PRAYER:
Pray that God will help you to be a strong and brave person, commit to God that you are willing to learn from the three mighty men who brought water for David. Learn from their courage in spiritual battles so that you can lead a victorious life.
HYMN:
Onward Christian Soldiers – www.youtube.com/watch?v=64K7HmLM54Y
