1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 1: And David said on that day, whosoever getteth up to 2 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 1: the gutter and smiteth the jibisites and the lame and 3 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: the blind that are hated by David's soul, he shall 4 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 1: be chief and captain. Wherefore they said the blind and 5 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: the lame shall not come into the house Second Samuel 6 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:25,919 Speaker 1: five eight. Lord, because you are my king, like David's 7 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: mighty men, I will pray that my bravery, devotion, and 8 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 1: wit would mirror you. I declare that as I train 9 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: for my future destiny, I will not waver in my 10 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:42,280 Speaker 1: training and dedication. Thank you for giving me special gifts 11 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:46,280 Speaker 1: and abilities that will allow me to conquer whatever I face. 12 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 1: Like Shamah, I will stand in the gap for those 13 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: who can't fight for themselves. As you elevate my influence, 14 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 1: I will care for the heart of your people, like 15 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 1: King David and his mighty men. In the same way, 16 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 1: I will praise you for assembling a squad around me 17 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:08,640 Speaker 1: like the Dream Team. I thank you that each person 18 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:12,479 Speaker 1: you assigned to my life are gifted with supernatural abilities 19 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 1: and with even bigger hearts. For you, I declare that 20 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 1: loyalty and a warrior's heart will rule in the hearts 21 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: of those you've surrounded around me. To day I will 22 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 1: lift up my voice and let out a war cry 23 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 1: that declares, because the God of the universe is for me, 24 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:37,400 Speaker 1: no one will overcome me. I am anointed and appointed 25 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:41,560 Speaker 1: to reign in life, and I gladly accept my position 26 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 1: of power and influence in Jesus name. Amen, thanks for 27 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:52,560 Speaker 1: making prayer a priority in your life. To hear the 28 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: Bible come to life. Stay tuned for the Bible in 29 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 1: a Year, brought to you by Bible in a Year 30 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 1: dot Com. David and his Mighty Men. In our last story, 31 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 1: we learned about David's alliance with Abner that was quickly 32 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:21,079 Speaker 1: thwarted by his general Johab. Joab murdered Abner as revenge 33 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:25,279 Speaker 1: for his brother's death. David did not honor Joab's actions, 34 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: yet allowed God to be the one who judged him. Meanwhile, 35 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: three men murdered King Ishbosheth in order to please David. 36 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: David was not pleased and would not have the blood 37 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: of a king on his hands, so he executed the 38 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: men where they stood. Despite all the dysfunction, civil war, 39 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 1: and heartache, David was finally crowned King over all Israel 40 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: he would usher in a new era of peace and restoration. 41 00:02:53,919 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: Now we learn about David's mighty men, their bravery, devotion, 42 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 1: and wit, mirrors of their king inspired by the Book 43 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:08,640 Speaker 1: of Second Samuel. Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's 44 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:11,800 Speaker 1: episode of the Bible in a Year podcast. In our 45 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:15,359 Speaker 1: previous story, we saw how Abner walked away from Ishbuschef 46 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: to side with David, whom he knew was the rightful 47 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 1: ruler for all of Israel. Their alliance was short lived, however, 48 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:26,360 Speaker 1: as Joab took revenge on Abner for killing his brother 49 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:30,800 Speaker 1: and murdered Abner in cold blood. David chose to spare 50 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:33,799 Speaker 1: Joab's life but send him away and left it to 51 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 1: God to deal with joe Abs sin. We also learned 52 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: that Ishbuschef's men killed him in his sleep and brought 53 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: his head to David, hoping to be praised for their 54 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: act in his behalf. Instead, David condemned them for raising 55 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: their hand against Ishbaschef and executed them on the spot, 56 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: a sign that he wanted to come to power through 57 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: reconciliation rather than violence. In the end, the rulers of 58 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: Israel crowned David as king over all of his Israel, 59 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: and the kingdom was unified under one king. But David 60 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 1: did not stand alone. God surrounded him with mighty men 61 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: of valor, thirty men who emulated David's heart of mercy, 62 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 1: bravery and wisdom. And today will hear the story of 63 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:23,280 Speaker 1: David's mighty Men. The sun beat heavily against David's back 64 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: as he trained in the hot eastern sun. David swung 65 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 1: his sword with ferocity and precision. His men trained beside 66 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: him in the heat of the mid day. Their training 67 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 1: could mean the rise or fall of Israel, so they 68 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:41,719 Speaker 1: did not waver in their discipline. David's strength grew day 69 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:44,919 Speaker 1: by day, as did the strength of his men. His 70 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,359 Speaker 1: courage was greatly due to the men he surrounded himself with. 71 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:53,559 Speaker 1: Thirty warriors followed David on all of his travels. These 72 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:58,119 Speaker 1: were called his Mighty Men. Together they protected the people 73 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: of Israel. Three of the thirty governed Israel alongside David 74 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 1: as his most trusted warriors and counselors. There was Jassobeam, 75 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:10,840 Speaker 1: who was the captain of the mighty Men. Jassobeam was 76 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:14,680 Speaker 1: relentless in battle, and once stood his ground against eight 77 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:18,479 Speaker 1: hundred men in battle with a single spear. His strength 78 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: was unparalleled, and his tactful mind proved as an asset 79 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: to David. Then there was Alaser. When a Philistine horde 80 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:30,159 Speaker 1: had descended upon David and the armies of Israel, all 81 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:34,600 Speaker 1: of the men fled except David and Eliezer. Eliezer fought 82 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 1: alongside David until his hand clung to his sword from cramping. 83 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:43,280 Speaker 1: He was the closest to David and undyingly loyal. Last 84 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: of the three was Shama. Shama was a man of 85 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 1: principle and bravery. One day, the Philistines were pursuing the 86 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 1: people of Israel, and every man fled. However, Shama stood 87 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: his ground at a small bean patch in order to 88 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: protect the farmers. There he fought with the heart of 89 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 1: a guardian and proved to David he was willing to 90 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 1: lay his life down for the sake of the small 91 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 1: and helpless. David's Mighty Men were a representation of David's leadership. 92 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,599 Speaker 1: He cared for them and trained them in the ways 93 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 1: of battle and politics. In return, the Mighty Men fought 94 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: for David and the people of Israel. Not only did 95 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: they fight, but they responded to the needs of the 96 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,719 Speaker 1: people and helped care for them. David's heart was enriched 97 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: by their friendship, and they were empowered by his guidance. 98 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:35,479 Speaker 1: One evening, David and his men were camped in the 99 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: cave of Adullam. There they waited to ambush the Philistines 100 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:42,599 Speaker 1: who had taken over the city of Bethlehem. The men 101 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 1: waited for days, needing the perfect moment to strike down 102 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:51,040 Speaker 1: the Philistines. They became weary and thirsty, for their supplies 103 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: had begun to wear thin. In the cool of the night, 104 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 1: David leaned back with his back against the cave walls, 105 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: staring at the fire. There, he talked to his men 106 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 1: about Bethlehem, telling stories of the lions that would come 107 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:07,159 Speaker 1: out and take his sheep. David closed his eyes, a 108 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 1: single tear fell from his eye. Ah, what I wouldn't 109 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 1: give to take a drink from the well of Bethlehem again, 110 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: David said, with a slight frown. He missed his home 111 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: and was grieved that it had been overrun by Philistines. 112 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 1: As David said this, he drifted off into sleep. As 113 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: David was sleeping, three of his men gathered their weapons 114 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: and fled the cave. They laid low and near the 115 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 1: mountain side. As they made their way into Bethlehem, the 116 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 1: small city was crawling with Philistines. One false step and 117 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: they would be killed in an instant. Drunken laughter could 118 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 1: be heard in the streets. As the three men crawled 119 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: their way into the city. They made their way to 120 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: the gate where the Well of Bethlehem was. Philistine tents 121 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: surrounded the area, and soldiers were near the gate keeping watch. 122 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: With the light touch of a cat, one of the 123 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: men crouched his way to the well and drew some 124 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 1: water into his canteen. The two other men watched from 125 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 1: a few yards away. Slowly, he filled the canteen and 126 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:10,440 Speaker 1: began to make his way back on all fours. As 127 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 1: he was crawling, a guard spotted him from above the 128 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 1: gate Israel lights. The soldier yelled, and immediately a swarm 129 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 1: of Philistines rushed him. The two other mighty men drew 130 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 1: their swords and burst through the Philistine soldiers. Together, the 131 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 1: men ran through the alleys of Bethlehem, fighting Philistines along 132 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 1: the way. There was no other way out but to 133 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: fight through the gate, so the three of them swung 134 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 1: their swords with complete grace, just as David had taught them. 135 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: Dozens of Philistines fell that night, and the three men 136 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: were able to escape with their lives back to the caves. 137 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 1: Dawn was approaching, and the men returned with exhausted smiles 138 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:52,200 Speaker 1: on their faces. The morning sun rays peeked through the 139 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:55,720 Speaker 1: cave entrance. The men slapped one another's backs and laughed 140 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: as they entered the cave. The men bowed before David 141 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: and presented him with the caine filled with water from Bethlehem. 142 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,080 Speaker 1: David held the canteen, dumbfounded that the men had gone 143 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:09,160 Speaker 1: to such great lengths to get him the water. David 144 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 1: opened the canteen slowly. He looked at the men with 145 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,439 Speaker 1: a smile. David stood up and walked to the entrance 146 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 1: of the cave and poured the water out before the 147 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 1: Lord and said, these men risked their lives for this water. 148 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:26,160 Speaker 1: It is not mine to drink. This act of courage 149 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 1: for the sake of David embodied who the mighty men were. 150 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:33,960 Speaker 1: They were great warriors, devoted to David. Together they trained 151 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 1: in the hot sun, keeping the safety of Israel and 152 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 1: glory of God on the forefront of their minds. When 153 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king, all 154 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: the tribes gathered together to mount an attack against him. 155 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: When David learned of the incoming attack, he gathered his 156 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 1: mighty men and went to meet them at the valley 157 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 1: of Repheem. The men looked down at the sea of 158 00:09:55,840 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 1: Philistines below. Thousands of Philistines had gathered. They care aim 159 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 1: with steel and fire, ready to tear David and his 160 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: men limb from limb. Before the battle, David met with 161 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 1: the Lord again, as he once did before facing Goliath. 162 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:14,040 Speaker 1: He prayed, with his knees driven into the gravel. Earnestly, 163 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 1: he bowed before God and asked, do I have your 164 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 1: favor to go up against them? David's fists clenched as 165 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:25,719 Speaker 1: he awaited God's response. In the solitude, the Lord spoke quietly, 166 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: I have given them into your hand. Sir. David arose 167 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 1: and walked towards camp with intent. He gathered his men 168 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 1: on top of the hill overlooking the valley. David raised 169 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: his sword high in the air and roared towards the 170 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 1: Philistines like a rushing wind. The men of Israel descended 171 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: upon the Philistine soldiers and scattered on all ends of 172 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:50,439 Speaker 1: the valley. David broke into a group of Philistine soldiers 173 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:52,720 Speaker 1: and fought his way to the center of the battle. 174 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: The soldiers surrounded David with intent to kill. David found 175 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 1: himself absorbing the blows of dust of Philistine soldiers. Growing 176 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:06,560 Speaker 1: tired from battle, David began to fall, Yet his mighty 177 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:09,600 Speaker 1: men broke into the group of Philistines and struck them down. 178 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 1: The Philistines shattered under the fist of David and his 179 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: mighty men. Our story begins with the new King of Israel, David, 180 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 1: training alongside of his men. He had finally risen to 181 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:28,199 Speaker 1: the highest position in the land, king of all of Israel. 182 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 1: But this was not the time to sit back and relax, 183 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 1: or to become complacent or just enjoy the spoils of war. 184 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: He was to be ready, seeking God's will and strengthening 185 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:43,680 Speaker 1: his own body to defend and rescue the nation. David's 186 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 1: courage and resolve came first from God, but also from 187 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,840 Speaker 1: the men who surrounded him, these mighty men of valor, 188 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:53,360 Speaker 1: who joined to serve alongside of David and defend Israel. 189 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 1: The Book of Proverbs tells us that as iron sharpens iron, 190 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:02,680 Speaker 1: one man sharpens another and that is precisely what these 191 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: men did for one another and for David. Their example 192 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:09,520 Speaker 1: highlights the importance of being surrounded by those who seek 193 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 1: God's grace and God's good, who are selfless and who 194 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:18,080 Speaker 1: seek the Lord. David's mighty men were a reflection of 195 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 1: his leadership and his courage to fight for God's people, 196 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:25,360 Speaker 1: and these men were deeply committed to their king. On 197 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 1: one occasion, David was hiding in the caves of a Dulam, 198 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: preparing to attack the Philistines who had taken Bethlehem. David 199 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 1: lamented not being able to drink the water from the 200 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: well of his own hometown. That night, as he slept, 201 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,319 Speaker 1: three of his men snuck into Bethlehem to fill a 202 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,440 Speaker 1: jug of water for David. They were able to draw water, 203 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 1: but were discovered and had to fight their way out 204 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:51,079 Speaker 1: of town, killing many Philistines in the process. When they 205 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: returned to camp and presented the water to David, he 206 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: was deeply moved, but he would not drink the water. Instead, 207 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:00,959 Speaker 1: he poured it out in sacrifice to the Lord, saying 208 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:05,520 Speaker 1: in Second Samuel twenty three, verse seventeen, far be it 209 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 1: from me, oh Lord, that I should do this shall 210 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 1: I drink the blood of the men who went at 211 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 1: the risk of their own lives. Therefore he would not 212 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:17,200 Speaker 1: drink it these things the Three Mighty Men did. We 213 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 1: could look at this and be shocked or even offended 214 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: that David seemingly wasted this precious gift that was brought 215 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: to him by his men at great personal risk. But 216 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 1: in reality, David was doing something far greater than quenching 217 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: his thirst. He was demonstrating in a powerful way that 218 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 1: he knew his men and their gift was a blessing 219 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: from God. So he poured it out not as a waste, 220 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 1: but as a sacrifice, a praise of thanksgiving. David would 221 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 1: demonstrate this kind of understanding many times in his life, 222 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 1: that an offering that costs nothing is not worthy to 223 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 1: give to his God. And when David was faced with 224 00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 1: opportunities for battle to fight against the enemy, his first 225 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: up always was to seek the Lord. When the Philistines 226 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: learned that he was the king, they prepared an attack 227 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,439 Speaker 1: against him, David went to the Lord and ask if 228 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 1: he should engage, and if God would give him the 229 00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 1: enemy into his hands. Rather than acting impulsively and impatiently 230 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 1: as Saul had done, before him. David went to God, waited, listened, prayed, 231 00:14:22,920 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 1: and then act accordingly. This was the kind of king 232 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:29,800 Speaker 1: that God wanted for his people, and as a result, 233 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: the Lord gave David many victories. But the king knew 234 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 1: that something was still not right. The Ark of the 235 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 1: Covenant needed to be returned to its home in Israel, 236 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: and will hear how David sets his mind to do 237 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 1: that the next time. Dear God, we thank you for 238 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,920 Speaker 1: today's story of the Mighty Men of David and what 239 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 1: it teaches us about the importance of being surrounded by 240 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 1: people who share our heart, our courage, our vision. Help 241 00:14:55,760 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: us to do likewise, and help us always to seek 242 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: your guidance in life's battles. May we seek you first 243 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: in every fight in Jesus name. Amen, Thank you for 244 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 1: listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Jack 245 00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 1: Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the Prey dot Com app 246 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 1: and make prayer and Bible study a priority in your life. 247 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 1: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you 248 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 1: love or know. And by sharing this podcast, we can 249 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 1: get the word of God to the world. And if 250 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 1: you want more resources on how to tap into God's 251 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 1: power for Christian living. Be sure to visit Jack Graham 252 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: dot org. God bless you. This episode is sponsored by Medicine, 253 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: an innovative healthcare solution for Christians to save money without 254 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:50,760 Speaker 1: sacrificing quality