2 Samuel 23
New Hope Daily SOAP: 2 Samuel 23
Pastor Vicki Harrison
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2 Samuel 23:24-39,
Among the Thirty were:
Asahel the brother of Joab,
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,
Shammah the Harodite,
Elika the Harodite,
Helez the Paltite,
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,
Abiezer from Anathoth,
Sibbekai the Hushathite,
Zalmon the Ahohite,
Maharai the Netophathite,
Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,
Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,
Benaiah the Pirathonite,
Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash,
Abi-Albon the Arbathite,
Azmaveth the Barhumite,
Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
the sons of Jashen,
Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite,
Ahiam son of Sharar[ the Hararite,
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite,
Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Hezro the Carmelite,
Paarai the Arbite,
Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,
the son of Hagri,
Zelek the Ammonite,
Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,
Ira the Ithrite,
Gareb the Ithrite
and Uriah the Hittite.
There were thirty-seven in all.
The first seven verses of this chapter comprise David’s prophetic oracle. It is intended to commemorate a faithful king whose life is guided by the faithful God Almighty. Clearly, David is the most Godly of the kings and this poem highlights this. But it also has some messianic prophecy. David is not just speaking of himself. There is something deeper, more eternal about the oracle. Reread the first seven verses and see which stand out to you as speaking to the coming Messiah.
The second part of the chapter details the men who supported David, those who were his brave and mighty warriors. God was on David’s side clearly but there had to also be human men who caught the vision that God had for King David. Over and over again through 2 Samuel, we have seen David’s men make huge sacrifices and often save him from stupid, short-sighted decisions.
Each of these men were real people who stood alongside David and said yes to their calling from God. Thus, let’s pay attention to their names and think about the legacy that each left.
Think about the people who have stood by you. If you are a leader at the church or another organization, you know the value of having a team of people to support you, guide you, and protect you from stupid or rash decisions! Name those people in your own life and give thanks for them.
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, Thank you for the people who stand with me, support me, and encourage me. I am a better, stronger leader because of them. Most of all, thank you for the guidance of your Holy Spirit. More of you and less of me. Amen.