Christians also are in a spiritual battle according to Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Here Paul, the apostle, tells the Church in Ephesus that the spiritual battle is not physical but against sin and wickedness that causes spiritual death. In 1 Peter 5:8 the apostle, Peter writes, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. He is telling Christians that the Devil is everywhere looking for ways to enticing everyone into his trap of sin. Christians are in a battle for the soul, and they must be strong if they wish to oppose so great an enemy. They need to be like those three mighty men in their spiritual battle. Therefore let’s consider physical traits these three mighty warriors possessed to see how they can be applied to Christians.
There once was a great king who ruled in the east. He spent much of his time fighting evil, heathen nations that tried to take the land that God had given his people. While encamped in a cave called Adullam this king became thirsty, and he wanted something to drink. He desired greatly the waters of a well in Bethlehem where the army of this heathen nation was camped. So three of his strongest men fought tooth and nail through the encampment of the enemy, known as the Philistines, to go to that specific well and bring the water from it. After receiving the water, the King would not drink it but poured it out to God because the men who brought to him jeopardized their lives just so he could have water from that particular well. This King was none other than King David of Israel and this is no fictional story. The account of these events can be found in 2 Samuel 23:13-17. In this chapter, beginning in verse one King David delivers his last speech as king. It reads, “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel…” This king was the sweet psalmist, writer of most of the book of Psalms, who was raised up by the God of Israel and also spoke by the inspiration of God according to 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” He was a great king who fought in many battles, wining many victories for the Lord. It is in this farewell speech of this inspired warrior-king that he relates this story and reveals the names of these three mighty men. In 2 Samuel 23:8 David talks about these men and what made them so powerful and brave. Christians also are in a spiritual battle according to Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Here Paul, the apostle, tells the Church in Ephesus that the spiritual battle is not physical but against sin and wickedness that causes spiritual death. In 1 Peter 5:8 the apostle, Peter writes, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. He is telling Christians that the Devil is everywhere looking for ways to enticing everyone into his trap of sin. Christians are in a battle for the soul, and they must be strong if they wish to oppose so great an enemy. They need to be like those three mighty men in their spiritual battle. Therefore let’s consider physical traits these three mighty warriors possessed to see how they can be applied to Christians. DINO THE EZNITE: PREPARATION 2 Samuel 2:8 reads, “These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite; he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.” The first mighty man David discusses is Tachmonite Adino who was the leader of the captains. This alone would be evidence that Adino was a very powerful man. He had the strength and the knowledge to lead this great army in battle, but the scripture says more about Adino. He killed eight hundred men at one time! Now keep in mind that during this time the most sophisticated weapon in the world was the bow and arrow. There were no jet planes, tanks, grenades, bombs, or guns. Adino killed eight hundred people without these devices! The scripture does not say how, but one can know that it took great strength and preparation to accomplish such a great feat. He had to be sure his weapon was sharp and ready and that he had the proper protection. To lead others into battle, the chief of the captains had to be prepared. We must also be ready, but how does a Christian prepare for a spiritual battle? 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 states, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” To be prepared Christians need the proper equipment. The battle that Christians face is spiritual so the weapons they use are not physical. In Ephesians 6:11 Paul speaks of the protective covering for Christians. “Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Christian have a defense provided by God. It is His armor. Ephesians 6:14-17 Paul then goes through the different pieces of armor. The one where we will focus can be found in verse seventeen. Paul writes, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” All the armor is important but for this article there is a concentration on the weapon. Adino killed the eight hundred with some weapon that he prepared to fight with and to defend himself. For the Christian the weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The Bible is the sword that fights Satan and sin. Hebrews 4:12 states that the word of God is the spiritual sword that is sharper than any real sword, more powerful, dividing even the marrow from the bones and discerns hearts. Adino prepared himself by acquiring a proper weapon for defeating eight hundred men. A Christian must acquire the proper weapon to defeat Satan which is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. A Christian must prepare as Adino prepared himself by acquiring a proper weapon for defeating eight hundred men. A Christian must acquire the proper weapon to defeat Satan which is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. A Christian must prepare as Adino prepared. ELEAZAR THE AHOHITE: COURAGE Next, in 2 Samuel 23:9-10 King David discusses the second mighty man, Eleazar the Ahohite. David says, “And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wroght a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.” Eleazar was also a great man who was very brave and full of courage. He fought so long past the point of weariness even until his hand stuck to the hilt of the sword. Now this is possible in two ways. One, Eleazar killed so many men that the blood on the sword dried sticking Eleazar’s hand to the hilt like a glue, or he fought so hard for so long that his hand became stiff and he could not release his grasp on the sword. Either of these two situations show Eleazar’s great courage in battle! 1 Corinthians 9:24 reads, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.” Christians run the race of life and at the end there is the prize of eternal life. Paul expounds further in verse 17, “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Eleazar must have fought long past physical exhaustion but he kept his body under control and had courage. When Christians run this spiritual race and fight this spiritual battle they must put their bodies into subjection and keep running. Galatians 6:9 states that Christians will become wearing in doing the work of the Lord but should not grow faint. In time they will reap the reward. A Christian must have courage to keep fighting! Hebrews 12:1-2 the Hebrew writer tells the Christians to lay aside every sin that weighs the runner down and to run with patience. The Christian cannot give up but have courage to keep pushing forward, and they must look to Jesus who endured the same hardships and finished the race. For a Christian to fight the spiritual battle, to run the spiritual race they must have courage like Eleazar. SHAMAH SON OF AGEE: STEADFAST Third, King David discusses Shamah. In 2 Samuel 23:11-12 David states, “And after him was Shamah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together in to a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentils: and the people fled from the philistines. But He stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.” This man is the last of the three but not to be ignored. In the midst of a battle when all other soldiers had fled he stood his ground and continued to fight. He stood for the Lord and won a great victory for the All Mighty that day. For the Christian they also must be steadfast. 1 Corinthians 15:58 it reads, “Therefore, my beloved brethren be ye steadfast unmovable, always abounding the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” The Christian cannot quit! They must be as steadfast as a rock! They cannot move from the right path but always working for the Lord. Why? They know their work is not vain in God. The Christian must be grounded in the truth. For example Colossians 2:5, “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” The Church in Colossi did not stop standing for the Lord even when Paul was not physically present with them. The Christian must be the same way. They cannot run away even when all others have fled. Shamah did not retreat with his fellow soldier but he kept fighting. What came from his steadfastness? He won a great victory for the Lord. Christians that are steadfast in the work of the Lord can also win a great victory for Him. CONCLUSION In 2 Samuel 23:8-12 the Bible tells of three mighty men who fought for King David and the Lord. Each of them possessed the proper characteristics to make them great soldiers. Adino prepared for his battle. Eleazar was great in courage. Shamah was steadfast. These men demonstrated on the battlefield three things that Christians should demonstrate in their spiritual warfare. They must prepare by using the Word of God as their sword. They must have courage in fighting against Satan and sin. They must be immovable, working diligently in the Church. These three characteristics will make Christians a mighty people for the Lord the King of Kings.
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