Today you should read: 2 Samuel 2:12-32
In 2 Samuel 23, we see a list of David’s mighty men and on that list are Abishai and Asahel. In today’s passage we get a small glimpse of these men and their character that would qualify them as David’s mighty men. We enter in at the battle of Gibeon, where the tribe of Judah is in opposition to the rest of Israel. David is now the king over Judah but Israel has placed Ish-bosheth over themselves as king instead of recognizing David as their king even though David is God’s anointed king. It is also believed that Ish-bosheth is nothing but a puppet for Abner the leader of Saul’s army. So this sets up the battle at Gibeon as the righteous obedient tribe of Judah against their disobedient brothers Israel with a power hungry leader called Abner. Notice that when the battle begins it is Abner who starts it (v. 14).
The battle is fierce and highlighted in this battle are Joab (The commander of David’s army), Abishai and Asahel (David’s mighty men, (2 Samuel 23)). There is a reason that these men were highlighted in this chapter and I want us to look at what we can learn from these men (especially Asahel).
- They would not back down from fighting for the mission of God. These men fought fiercely for their king David and would not stop at anything until he had victory and was ruler over all of Israel. This was not a selfish cause but they were carrying out the will of God. They were motivated by a heart for God and their king was the “son of God”. I do not mean the actual son of God which is Christ but the king in their day was seen as directly below God and to communicate to them God’s will. They would let nothing stand in the way of his will.
- They glorified God with their gifts. There is a reason that these men were called “mighty.” They all had great gifts that made them great warriors. For instance, Asahel was very fast. The passage described him having the speed of a wild gazelle (v.18). Asahel already was created with this gift but he was utilizing it for the cause of God. We all have skills and gifts and we are to use them to build up the church of God which is our mission as believers now (1 Corinthians 12).
- Fighting for the cause of God does not come without a cost. Asahel lost his life at the hands of Abner because of his relentless pursuit to fight for his king. We just finished a series here at Center Point Church called the “Cost of Discipleship” in which we laid out what it means to follow Jesus. Sometimes by doing the will of God we will face persecution and sometimes lose our lives. Yet, those of us who trust in Jesus as Lord know that even if we lose the battle we will ultimately be part of winning the war.
Ask yourself:
- Am I fighting for the mission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19)?
- Am I willing to count the cost?
If you are not fighting for Jesus, you are helping the cause of the enemy (Ephesians 2:1-3).
Posted by: Chad Wiles
JumpstartCPC.com 