David’s Mighty Men (10)—Taking a Stand in the Battle - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

After him was Shammah The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.
2 Samuel 23:11-12

David's Mighty Men (10)—Taking a Stand in the Battle
This story is similar to what Eleazar had done, the second of David's mighty men, defending a field of barley (1 Chr. 11:12-14). Lentils, mentioned in today's passage, were used to feed the hungry. The first case was Esau who sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a dish of lentil stew (Gen. 25:34). When King David had to flee because of his son Absalom's rebellion, he and those with him were hungry. Among other things, they were fed with lentils (2 Sam. 17:28). During the captivity of Ezekiel, the Lord instructed him to prepare portions, including lentils (Ezek. 4:9), for every day, in the face of hunger and persecution.

As God's people in David's days faced much distress because of the Philistine occupation, there was evidently great need of food. Shammah, one of David's mighty men, saw the need and took immediate action by defending a field of lentils, instead of fleeing from before the Philistines. Shammah stationed himself ("he stood" jnd) in the middle of the field, in a strategic position, whereas his colleagues were fleeing for fear of the Philistines. Taking a stand, not running away, he defended that field to keep the precious food for his people. He killed the attacking Philistines and the Lord worked a great victory ("salvation"). This reminds us of an expression Balaam used: "Oh, what God has done!" (Num. 23:23). The believer, like Shammah, needs only to stand in the battle, "and having done all, to stand" (Eph. 6:13). God will work the victory (Phil. 2:13). All praise to Him!

Alfred E. Bouter