VALIANT BENAIAH -- Tomorrow:
There were "three mighty men" associated with David. They excelled all others, and were noted for their mighty deeds. The first was Adino, who lifted up his spear against eight hundred men at one time, and slew them all (2 Sam 23:8). The second was Eleazar, who singlehandedly defeated the Philistine army when all the men of Israel had gone away (2 Sam 23:9). The third was Shammah, who stood in the middle of a field of lintels, and by himself slew a troop of Philistines (2 Sam 23:11-12). These were the three men who broke through the Philistine lines to obtain a drink from the well of Bethlehem for David (2 Sam 23:16). These were the most excellent warriors in David's army, excelling the thirty "chief men" in David's military host.
There is another man associated with David who was as famous as the "three mighty men." It is said of him, "He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three" NIV (2 Sam 23:23). His name was Benaiah, and he was "over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites," who were the king's bodyguard (2 Sam 8:18).
Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, a "chief priest" (1 Chron 27:5), known as "Jehoiada the priest" (2 Chron 24:20). Jehoiada was also the military leader of the house of Aaron (1 Chron 12:27). Twenty times, the Scriptures refer to "Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada." That is more references than there are to Enoch, Nehemiah, Malachi, Thomas, or Titus. What is said of him is most remarkable.
He was a valiant man from Kabzeel, which was near Edom, and had done many mighty acts.
He killed two lion-like men from Moab, "heroes" NKJV and among the "best" NIV military men Moab.
He tracked a lion in the time of snow to a pit, then jumping into the pit, and in restricted surroundings, killed the lion.
He killed an Egyptian who was "goodly," or "huge." NIV Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah came against him with a staff, or club, in his hand. He wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it.
Of this mighty man it is written, "These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. He was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three" (2 Sam 23:22-23). His exploits ranked him among the three mighty men, yet he was not equal to them. He was, however, more prominent than "the thirty" chief men in David's military forces. His record is in Scripture by inspiration, the Holy Spirit seeing fit to teach us through a record of his exploits.
One man of God can overcome two mighty men from the enemy, as seen in Benaiah killing two "lion like men of Moab." He did not call for help, but accomplished the defeat himself. It was obviously something that needed to be done.
Sometimes there are inimical forces that need to be tracked down, pursued, and sought out, like the lion Benaiah killed. Even though it was winter, and snow was on the ground, what seemed to be a handicap became an advantage for Benaiah. It was easier to pursue the lion in such a time. He did not overthrow the lion in an open field, but in a confined pit, which would ordinarily have been an advantage to the lion.
There are also enemies that are larger than the people of God, who appear to have superior weapons. But even then, like Benaiah, those with faith rush to meet the foe with seemingly inferior weapons, and gain the victory.
There are classes of people related to the working of God. There were "the three mighty men," with outstanding accomplishments and unique privileges. There were also "the thirty" chiefs, who were more notable than the rank and file soldiers. And there were men like Benaiah, who did not rank as high as the three, but higher than "the thirty."
Christ had placed ranking in the church also – people who are more notable: "first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers" (1 Cor 12:28). Among Christ's disciples, we read of "the seventy" (Lk 10:17), "the twelve," (Matt 20:17), "Peter, James, and John his brother" (Matt 17:1), and "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 21:20). Later, later Jesus was enthroned in heaven, it was said of Andronicus and Junia that they were "of note among the apostles" (Rom 16:7). Paul once said of Timothy, "For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state" (Phil 2:20).
All of God's people are not the same, any more than all of David's military men were the same. There are those who, in their office, excel – like deacons who "use the office" to an extraordinary degree, as Stephen and Philip. While a Pharisee, Paul was "above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers" (Gal 1:14). As an Apostle, He "labored more abundantly than they all" (1 Cor 15:10). The point is that you can stand out also, becoming of note among the giants of the faith.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to excel in Your favor.