Introducing ancient superheroes of the Bible – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Preview

This week I’m celebrating the publication of my book.  While there is no doubt that the process of writing is often a solo endeavor, the reality is that a book cannot come to fruition without a lot of people supporting, encouraging and advising the writer.  That team approach is certainly true of my book, which is especially fitting because the topic of my book is togetherness. Over on my Substack, I’ve been introducing people here and here that had a huge influence on my book.

Here on the blog, however, as we jump back into the Life of David sermon series this coming week, we’re going to meet some extraordinary individuals who seem to achieve massive success alone.  They are called David’s Mighty Men.  The Mighty Men were like super-soldiers in David’s military.  

The first Mighty Men we will meet have the distinction of being called “The Three.”  Sounds like the name of a superhero group, doesn’t it?  Appropriately, The Three have fighting abilities that are the stuff of our modern superheroes.  One of The Three is called The Chief who, we learn, “raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.” How is that possible?

Then we will meet the Commander of the The Three.  The Commander is equally as impressive as The Three. His exploits are legendary. The Commander, we read, “raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed.” 300 is not 800, but still?

Next we will meet the Captain of David’s bodyguard who is “held in greater honor” than another subgroup of the Mighty Men called The Thirty.  (So there is The Three and The Thirty.  While The Three and their Commander are the most impressive soldiers, the rest of the Mighty Men are called The Thirty.)  We learn that the Captain of the Guard has amazing solo victories that place him in higher regard than any of The Thirty.  

All of David’s Men are powerful soldiers, and while it seems they are acting alone, there is more to the story of their success. What we will learn is that something special was happening among these warriors.  That something special is perfect to consider at the beginning of a new year.  I invite you to read about the Mighty Men ahead of time in 2 Samuel 23, verses 8–39, and then join us on the blog next week as we’ll not only study the Mighty Men, but see how that something special is available to all of us.  

Photo by Simone Eufemi on Unsplash