A
MEMORIAL FOR MIGHTY MEN!
1
Chron 11:15-19
15
Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave
of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
16
And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at
Bethlehem.
17
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the
water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
18
And the three brake through the host 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 of it, but poured it out to
the LORD,
19
And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the
blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy
of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things
did these three mightiest.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day in
America,
a day to remember the gallantry of those who fought and died to preserve our
freedoms. There is perhaps a no more valiant story of individual courage than
the one recorded here. David was holed up in a cave while the enemy occupied
his homeland of Bethlehem. Three of his men were “recon quality” soldiers who
overheard their King dreamily recall the sweet and clear water of Bethlehem’s
well. The Technicolor words are full of action and
adventure. They “brake through the host” to draw water out of the well.
Several
things are interesting to us on this special day.
These
Men were Highly Trained!
Judg
20:16
16
Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one
could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.
One scholar says that these men
were not so much “left” handed as ambidextrous. They could use either hand to
sling a stone or wield a sword. Some say a good sling was effective at as much
as 200 yards! In the rock strewn streets of the middle-east, the same kind of
slings are used today.
They
had Interesting Names!
Jashobeam = the people
will return. Every time his name was spoken it was a testimony of the power of
God to return his people to their promised land.
Eleazar = God is my
helper! At every venture there was a reminder that God is a very present help
in time of trouble.
2
Sam 23:11
11
And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines
were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of
lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
Shammah = “Desolation!”
I do not think you want to mess with this man!
These
Men were Loyal!
David’s wish was their command. They
ventured their lives to serve their King.
These
Men were Honored!
1
Chron 11:18
18
And the three brake through the host 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 of it, but poured
it out to the LORD,
19
And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the
blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with
the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it.
To the keen observer, Psalm 22 is a
dramatic picture of the yet future crucifixion of the Messiah. Listen to Jesus
as he hangs upon His cross.
Ps
22:14
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the
midst of my bowels.
Dear Lord, today let us remember
and honor those brave ones who have purchased our freedoms. Let us also
remember your own sacrifice that we might be free indeed. AMEN
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