Look in any town or city, in any sort of public place, and you will see examples of prominent people from previous days who are honoured through a plaque or statue. Sporting clubs will honour significant players or achievements (a double century or five wicket haul), societies might honour past presidents and secretaries. It recognises people who have played a significant part in the life of an entity in some way.
2 Samuel 23 includes an honour roll of sorts too, listing various warriors who played a key role in establishing and solidifying David’s Kingdom against enemies. Empowered and enabled by God, these men performed mighty deeds which advanced the cause of their covenant king, and of God and his people. Passages like this remind us that it is important to honour those both great and small who serve Christ’s kingdom, not to puff them up but to recognise it is God who gave them their skills to serve for his glory.
The first group of honoured warriors mentioned in this passage are called “The Three” and served as some elite unit. Josheb-basshebeth struck down 800 foes with his spear, and was the chief (v.8).
The next of the three was Dodo, who stood his ground with David when the rest of Israel’s army withdrew, and slayed Philistines until his hand was stuck to his sword from the effort (vv.9-10). Yet this victory was not because of Dodo, but because “the LORD brought about a great victory that day” (v.10).
The third notable warrior was Shammah, who stood his ground when others fled and defended a lentil field from the Philistines until they were defeated (vv.11-12). Again, it was God who wrought the victory.
Next is a tale of daring that sounds like it could be a World War 2 style escapade movie like the Great Escape. Three of a band of thirty elite troops joined David in the cave of Adullam, one of his strongholds, while Philistines held possession of Bethlehem (vv.13-14). David, possibly temporarily overcome by homesickness, wistfully asked for a drink from the water from Bethlehem’s well by the gate (v.15).
Challenge accepted! Those three men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water, and took it back to David! (v.16). A mere 40km jaunt. David could not bear to drink it, but poured it out as an offering to God (vv.16-17). While perhaps odd to us, David took their gift and dedicated it to an even greater purpose – worshipping God.
Next come two more notable warriors. Firstly, the text honours Abishai, Joab’s brother, a prominent leader in Israel’s army. Abishai was an extremely skilled spearman, who killed three hundred enemies over many battles, placing him very high in the elite warrior club surrounding David (vv.18-19).
Secondly, Benaiah who struck down two “ariels of Moab” (meaning unknown) but also stalked lions for sport (v.20). One snowy day he decided to get down in a pit with one and sorted it out. Benaiah also took on a massive Egyptian spearman with a staff, overpowered him, and killed him with his own spear (v.21).
Following these two men and their exploits is a list of notable warriors, from Asahel the brother of General Joab to Uriah the Hittite (vv.22-39). Not much is listed about these men here, other than their name and their lineage. The specifics of their achievements are not as important as the fact that they served their king and their God with distinction, and are honoured here for it.
Yet what encouragement is here in this passage for us? Well firstly, we can draw inspiration from the reminder that it is God who worked through these men. In particular, of the three, the repeated mention of God giving victory over their enemies reminds us that whatever gifts and talents we have are there to bring glory and honour to God.
That is particularly so when we face situations beyond what we might normally endure. God is there with us to support us, just as he was with those men, to help us face those situation’s not with our own strength but with God’s.
Just as David had his warriors in his day, Christ has his now. We too are called to serve our covenant king with faithfulness and devotion, just like those men who drew water from Bethlehem’s well.
This passage also reminds us that faithful service does not ever go unnoticed. While our names may not ever go up on a wall somewhere, the names of God’s faithful are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. No good deed, empowered by God, goes unnoticed in God’s Kingdom.
Whether a giant of the faith or a humble servant just doing our little bit, even if we receive no recognition from the church today we will receive it from Christ when he utters those words to us: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).
