Heores of David
Deutsch
English Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, ... Uriah the Hittite: 2 Samuel 23:24 and 39a (ESV)
1. Heroes of David!
David's heroes were men who achieved great victories with God at their side!
- Jishbaal immediately took on eight hundred men
- Eleazar continued to fight even as the men of Israel held back
- Benaiah killed a lion
- Shamah stood up to the Philistines when the people of Israel fled
- ...etc.
And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” 16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the Lord. 2. Samuel 23:15+16 (ESV)
And what about me? I want to be a hero too! I would also like to be bursting with strength and be mentioned in the same breath as the greatest. Let's ask ourselves what fascinates us about these heroes who had unusual strength and who balanced their strength with their character. What can we learn from these men? Their names will be given to us exactly. I know God was with them, but their victories were based largely on exceptional muscle strength.
2. Real strength of character
But was that really the case for everyone? “The best comes last!” We can also say. And I believe it is no coincidence that Uriah the Hittite is listed as the last hero. There is no mention of what made him a hero. But it was certainly not just his physical strength, but his impressive character:
Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” And Uriah went out of the king’s house, and there followed him a present from the king. But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. When they told David, “Uriah did not go down to his house,” David said to Uriah, “Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?” Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.”
2. Samuel 11:8-11 (ESV)
This strength that comes from within cost him his life because of a cowardly act on David's part. David committed adultery with his wife and she had a child by him. David then sent Uriah to the front line where he lost his life.
Uriah was certainly a very good warrior, but what fascinates me most about him was his character and his loyalty. David managed to take his life, but he didn't manage to bury his character. Uriah was truly a hero! Uriah a man of God who shows us what true heroism means.
3. David's repentance
After David had incurred such great guilt, he realized his wrongdoing. He fasted for days and asked God for forgiveness. He lay on the floor at night with deep remorse until he really knew that God had forgiven me for all my sins. According to 2 Samuel 12:15-25
Sometimes it takes us years to realize that the greatest obstacle to God's work is not others - but ourselves - our pride and self-will.
Let us surrender everything to God: our past, present, our future, strengths and weaknesses, our fears and dreams, and our hurts. Then He will raise us up again and we will find rest and great peace in His presence.
Author: Egon Waechter
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