MIGHTY MEN

“ And David longed and said, oh that one would give me
drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem which is
by the gate! And the three mighty men broke through
the host of Philistines and drew water out of the well
of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and
brought it to David: nevertheless, he would not drink
it, but poured it out unto the Lord and said, Be it
far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not
this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of
their lives? Therefore, he would not drink it. These
things did these three mighty men.” 2 Sam 23:15-17.
Most often when we see or hear about mighty men, we
consider that they are people who have been specially
favoured by their environment, family, background,
some educational opportunity. But taking a close look
or going into the history of mighty men in ages past
almost 90% of them are people with nothing to write
home about their background. They were not born with
silver or golden spoon in their mouths. But somehow in
life, they became mighty men (man or woman) because
there was an instinct in them that spurred them into
becoming unlimitedly great in their generation.
God’s original intention for man is to be great or
mighty, because He God who created you and me is
called the All-Mighty (Almighty). Man was reduced to
mere mortal next to nothing in significance because of
sin (rebellion against their master) but at the new
birth that potential of becoming great or mighty is
restored because you now belong to God. God is great
and mighty and so as His son, you must be great and
mighty like your father.
From our passage above, we want to take a look at
this three men. Who are they, what did they do to
become mighty, who were they connected with? Our
understanding of their acts will help us to be able to
fan our potential of mightiness into flames.
Chief among David’s mighty men was Adino the Ezrite,
who lifted up his sword against 800 whom he slew at
one time. After Him Eleazar the son of Dodo the
Abolite, who stood alone to fight the garrison of the
Philistines and the sword stuck to his hand even
though weary and the Lord brought great victory that
day; the people of Israel only returned later to
gather the plunder.
Next to Eleazar was Shammah the son of Agee who stood
in the middle of the field full of lentils and
defended it; slew the Philistines and the Lord brought
about a great victory.
From the lives of these three men, there are four
characteristics that whoever wants to be a mighty man
before God must possess.
1) Mighty men know how to walk alone with God. They
are not the mixed multitude. They know their God
personally and get committed to Him. Your commitment
to God must go beyond that of the crowd if you want to
be a mighty man. Mighty men pray alone, trust God
alone, take time to study the Word alone, not just on
Bible study days or at the family altar, not when they
are preparing a sermon. Being in the crowd opens you
up to hearing so many voices which bring confusion
instead of Divine direction. Therefore take your
personal stand with God and you will receive the
stamina or strength to face the enemy squarely. You
remember the personal encounter of Jacob with God
before meeting his brother
Esau. That encounter turned an arch-enemy to an army
guard and friend.
2.) Mighty men hold to the sword, “the Word of God.”
Hold firmly to the Word of God no matter how terrible
the situation may look like or how high or mighty the
mountain may look like. It will surely give way at the
power of the Word. You want to daily experience great
victory, therefore hold firmly to the Word, stick to
the Word no matter how, it will surely give you
success and prosperity (Josh 1:8)
3.) Mighty men stand their ground on the victory that
Jesus wrought for them on the cross. They do not run
away from battle. They belief their believes and doubt
their doubts.
4.) In verse 14, the Bible tells us the great exploits
these three men performed for their leader. David was
in a stronghold in a tight corner because of the enemy
siege round about Bethlehem. He could not drink of the
water of Bethlehem even though he desired it. The
mighty men together, broke through the Philistine
lines and brought the desire of their master to pass.
Mighty men are men that take great risks for their
Master. To be a mighty man or woman of God, You must
attempt great things for God which are bound to fail
except God is in it. Take great risks for God based on
His Word and you will see divine back-up to accomplish
tasks that seems practically or humanly impossible
giving way.
In the body of Christ today, we need ordinary men who
will be willing and ready to yield themselves to God’s
training and pruning process that will turn them into
becoming mighty men of valour. God needs weaklings who
will break through altars of fear, negative
self-image, family and self idols to be transformed
into mighty men of valour like Gideon.
Are you willing to pay the price for greatness. Then
pray this simple prayer of faith: “Lord, multiply my
sacrifice for greatness daily in Jesus name. Amen .”