This book takes the reader on a journey into the rocky and desolate wilderness of Judea to catch a glimpse of the "mighty men" of David. I Chronicles 11 and II Samuel 23 are the two passages in Scripture that describe these men in detail. But these warriors are also followed through the narrative of David's reign, where names like Abishai and Benaiah appear in numerous accounts, giving us great insight into their courage and loyalty throughout a stormy reign marked by various foreign invasions, court intrigues, and violent insurrections. The modern world needs such men: men like the "three mighties" who "brake through the host of the Philistines" to deliver a vessel of water to their beloved commander, men like Abishai who said to his uncle, David, when he asked for a volunteer for a perilous mission, "I will go down with thee," men like Benaiah, who "slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day," men like Eleazar who stood alone against a Philistine onslaught, slaying the enemies of the Lord until his hand "clave unto the sword," men like the Zebulunites who "could keep rank" and were "expert in war," and men like the Issacharites who had "understanding of the times." This book highlights 12 essential character qualities of David's mighty men that are desperately needed today. It is the prayer of the writer of these pages that the Lord might raise up a generation of Christians who will determine, with all their hearts, to follow the example of these stalwart warriors of the Old Testament.
What happens when the king’s most obedient soldier is issued a wicked command? Benaiah is valiant against men and beasts. He is known for three heroic deeds that lead to his appointment in the elite force of David’s Mighty Men: aggressively going down into a pit on a snowy day to kill a lion; fighting two Moabite ariels; and challenging a giant Egyptian the size of David’s Goliath, armed with only a staff, and killing him with the man’s own spear. When David is crowned king, Benaiah is made his chief bodyguard and eventually head of the whole army of Israel under King Solomon. Reeling from the tragic cost of disobedience when he was young, Benaiah directs his life toward one chief aim: to be found a faithful, loyal, valiant and obedient soldier, servant of the King and follower of Yahweh. But when “just following orders” leads to his part in adultery, murder and death, he questions his life’s direction. If both obedience and disobedience cause death, how can he ever find redemption?
Have you ever wondered about how God gave some people super strength to do amazing and almost unbelievable things? There is Samson, David, and so many others, but have you heard the stories of David's mighty men? Ya, mighty men! They had super strength! Join Buddy as we learn from Grandpa who some of them were and maybe we can learn how we can be brave like them! Visit StoriesWithGrandpa.com to hear more stories that Buddy is told by Grandpa!
Abishai, Joab, and Asahel live in the shadow of both shame and glory, from their uncle David's battlefield exploits and their mother's disgraceful past. When given the opportunity, will they prove themselves worthy to be called the nephews of Israel's greatest hero? Or will their misdeeds doom them forever to be remembered as the sons of Zeruiah?Drawing from Biblical, historical, and cultural sources, Brian Lee Meyer brings relatively unknown figures to life. Sons of Zeruiah: The Mighty Men of King David is an epic tale which takes its readers from the caves at Adullum to the siege of Jerusalem, as seen by the men who fought and bled there.
"Abide in Me." John 15:4 Do you yearn for life-giving, intimate communion with God? The Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that comes from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Every feature in Abide is designed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ. Created in partnership with Bible Gateway and the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, The Abide Bible's features include articles, book introductions, and practical Scripture engagement prompts based on five ways of engaging deeply with the Bible: Praying Scripture Pattern your prayers after biblical texts, personalizing the prayer and gaining language for the thoughts and emotions you want to express. Picture It Place yourself in a biblical narrative as a bystander or participant in important events. Journaling Focus and reflect on Scripture and its meaning for your life, opening yourself to God's voice as you ponder. Engage Through Art Consider a classic piece of art--photograph, sculpture, painting--and let it deepen your meditations on scriptural truths. Contemplate Follow the church's longstanding practice of reading, meditating on, praying, and contemplating a passage of Scripture in order to experience God's presence through the words of the Bible. Features include: Line-matched, single-column Scripture text Thomas Nelson's exclusive NKJV Comfort Print(R) 9-point type size Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk Two satin ribbon markers
Mighty Men of Valor have three distinct characteristics; strength, courage, and passion. In this Bible study we unpack the first characteristic, strength. Men need strength that comes from God alone, the kind of strength He gave men like Gideon (who lived at a time when everyone did what was right in their own eyes), David and his band of mighty men, and Jesus' early church followers. The world, the flesh, and the devil wage constant battle against us and seek to usurp God's rule over His creation. To fight these enemies, God calls and empowers men to be Mighty Men of Valor. Gideon is one such example. "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" (Judges 6:12, NKJV). As the angel of the Lord greeted Gideon in Old Testament times, He invites you to become one of God's choice warriors. He will use the 10 lessons in this compact Bible study to help point the way. You'll be guided on this journey by men from Scripture as well as church history and the present day who will serve as mentors of godly strength. You'll also journey deep into the "living and active" word of God (Hebrews 4:12), which He will use to shape you in this process. God is calling us to develop our "spiritual muscles" of love, winning others to the kingdom of God, and building them up in Christ. That's what Mighty Men of Valor: Book 1 - Strength is all about. As with the additional Bible studies in this series-Mighty Men of Valor: Book 2 - Courage and Mighty Men of Valor: Book 3 - Passion-this study can be used in three essential ways. Use these studies as a daily devotional. We strongly encourage every man to take time out for a daily meeting-or appointment-with God. Work through these studies with another man. Think of this as walking "Side-by-Side," meeting weekly for mutual growth, support, and accountability. Connect with other men in a triad or small-group setting. Think of Jesus, who invested in a small group of 12 men, guiding them on the spiritual journey. Make A Mark Ministries is a ministry of Sure Passage
Since its initial publication, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible has established itself as the indispensable authoritative textbook and reference on the subject. In this thoroughly revised fourth edition, Emanuel Tov has incorporated the insights of the last ten years of scholarship.
FOREWORD Every man who is a success, regardless of how gifted he may be, did not manage to achieve his goals, rank, station or wealth by his own efforts, but he is indebted to a number of key persons in his life without whose mentoring, support, and encouragement he would quite likely have been a miserable failure! * * * KING DAVID of Israel was surrounded by a magnificent corps of extraordinarily strong, courageous, unflinchingly brave and self-sacrificing men who were his confidants, his personal bodyguard, and comrades-at-arms. They were the special elite corps of fearless warriors whose devotion to their king placed his welfare and that of his kingdom above their own personal safety – every one of these champions would gladly have sacrificed his own life to honor, advance and protect the life of their king. The annals of Holy Scripture single them out by the accolade that marks them as David’s Mighty Men. Their names are recorded in the Hebrew Old Testament book of II Samuel, chapter 23, verses 8-39. They were thirty-seven of the most fierce and dedicated warriors that ever lived. In a parallel list of these men which is recorded in I Chronicles 11:11-47, the number of warriors is expanded by 16 names (I Ch. 11:41-47), probably because additional men were added to replace those who had died, some in battle, giving their lives for their king. They were truly men of extraordinary valor, physical might and unwavering loyalty. They were a combination of “combat commandos,” “stealth rangers,” “navy seals,” “green beret,” “special ops” and “Delta forces” who had acquired the skills of battle demanded to survive and conquer in hand-to-hand warfare. They engaged in clandestine operations and were often outnumbered by staggering odds pitted against them, yet they stood their ground. Time after time on fields of battle they were “the last men standing.” They defended their king and gained victory over their enemies by sheer strength of determination and by the inexplicable physical and mental character with which they were endowed by their God, Yahweh, Who Himself had chosen David as their king. “These are the names of David’s Mighty Men: “Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was the chief . . . he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. “Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite . . . he was with David when they taunted the Philistines that were gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. The men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. “Shammah son of Agee the Harrarite. When the Philistines banded together . . . Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shamma took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory. “Abishai the brother of Joab . . . he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed. “Benaiah son of Jehoida was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel . . . he struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion, and he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.” Abishai, Benaiah and another warrior risked their lives to break through the lines of the Philistines and draw water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem to bring back to David a drink from that well. Although he longed to taste that water, David poured it out as an offering unto the Lord rather than to drink water for which his loyal and devoted warriors risked their lives. There were also among David’s Mighty Men the following warriors: “Ashel the brother of Joab, Elhanan so
