EXPOSITION:
One major mark of a bondservant is his commitment to his master. This mark is so important that without it there cannot be positive results in any master-servant relationship. The mighty men of David were so dedicated and committed that they risked their lives for him. Few instances of their commitment are:
- Josheb-Basshebeth who was the chief of the three mighty men raised his spear against eight hundred men, and killed them in one encounter (2 Samuel 23: 8).
- Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite one of the three mighty men, was with David in battle against the Philistines at Pas Dammim. When the men of Israel retreated, he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to his sword. Through his commitment, the LORD brought about a great victory that day to the Israelites (2 Samuel 23: 9-10).
- When David longed for water from the well near Bethlehem, three mighty men broke through the troop of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem and gave it to him to drink. David did not drink it but poured it before God, because he saw the water as the blood of men who risked their lives for his sake.
These mighty men were so committed that they risked their lives for their master David. In his weakness, when David’s enemies could easily overcome and kill him, these mighty men intervened, fought for him and killed them.
As bondservants, we must also be committed to our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church and be ready to die for His name’s sake.