David’s Mighty Men (5)—Great Faith and Energy - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war.
1 Chronicles 12:1

David's Mighty Men (5)—Great Faith and Energy
The first group of men who came to David at Ziklag belonged to Benjamin, Saul's very own tribe! Joining David, they risked their lives because King Saul was persecuting David and his men. David welcomed them and immediately started to train them. Eventually, they became some of his "mighty men" and "helpers in the war." They realized that Saul was not just fighting an outcast, but the king after God's heart, and thus, fighting God.

The kind of choice these men made is something all believers face, in one way or another, in every generation. To identify with the Lord Jesus Christ is to take sides with the One rejected by His own people. Sadly, many who profess to be Christian do the opposite, following what is popular but against God.

Taking sides with David, these warriors from Benjamin separated themselves from King Saul, their former leader. From a human perspective, they were "losers" as they gave up their income and privileges, a position of honor and favor that they had as members of Saul's tribe. Instead, they went along with one who was hotly pursued by Saul (v. 1). These men had remarkable skills, were armed with bows, and used both hands to throw stones and shoot arrows. One of them became a mighty man among the thirty and received a position over them because of his abilities. They were real "overcomers" as they identified with the rejected David in Ziklag, which was under Philistine control at the time. It took great faith, great energy, and great commitment. May the Lord give us such faith, the zeal of "first love," because He alone is worthy, now and forever. Let us join His army and follow Him!

Alfred E. Bouter