David’s Team
2 Samuel 21:15-22
1. You have got to know when to fold em.
15 There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. 16 And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” 2 Samuel 21:15-17 (ESV); 1 Samuel 3:3
It is a man or woman of great prudence and humility who recognizes and is willing to adjust to frailties, weaknesses, and susceptibilities that have developed in his or her life.
Kingdom thinking will accept wise priorities and role reversal. Proverbs 8:13
2. There is no I in TEAM
18 After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants.
19 And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 2 Samuel 21:18-19 (ESV); 1 Chronicles 20:5
In God’s Kingdom, we work together as a team to accomplish the will of the true King, King Jesus. Even David is not an island to himself. Romans 12:4-6
These soldiers faced tremendous odds and needed courage as we do today in our spiritual battles. Isaiah 41:10
3. Silencing God’s Enemies
20 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 21 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, struck him down. 2 Samuel 21:20-21 (ESV)
As with Goliath, what matters is not physical abilities but attitude. 1 Samuel 17:4-10; 26
The point is that those who taunt and deride God and His people will ultimately be silenced.
4. Promises kept
22 These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. 2 Samuel 21:22 (ESV) Genesis 15:18
18 Now then bring it about, for the LORD has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’” 2 Samuel 3:18 (ESV); Daniel 2:44