Loyalty Overcomes Obstacles - 2 Samuel 23:13-17
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INTRODUCTION
Loyalty is a beautiful trait. Loyalty leads men to do significant things for others although the reasons for doing so could be considered insignificant. The actions of David’s men offer a prime example when David was in exile from his throne. Perhaps David was simply reminiscing when he mentioned his longing for a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. Why not get a drink from any well? What was so special about the water from Bethlehem’s well? Regardless of these minor details, three of David’s mighty men heard the desire of their king. Their loyalty compelled them to go. These men had to break through the host of the Philistines in order to get the water from the well of David’s desire. They risked their lives and for what? Was it merely a drink of water? To them it was much more than that—it was a special loyalty they each had for their king!
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): Jonathan’s armourbearer was loyal to him and willing to go with Jonathan to attack a garrison of the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:6-14 [6] And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
[7] And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
[8] Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
[9] If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
[10] But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
[11] And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
[12] And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
[13] And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
[14] And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
See All...). Ruth was loyal to Naomi and returned with her to Bethlehem although Ruth was a complete stranger. She would also have to work hard in order to support Naomi (Ruth 1:14-17 [14] And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. [15] And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. [16] And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: [17] Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
See All...). - (For everyone): Loyalty for David caused the mighty men to risk their lives. What has your loyalty for the Lord Jesus Christ caused you to do? Would loyalty send you to some field of service for the Lord?
- Why did David’s men break through the hosts of the Philistines? What had David done for them that caused them to be loyal? What has the Lord done for you? Are you loyal toward Him?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Thank the Lord for dying on the cross for your sins.
- Ask God to make you a mighty man for him.
HYMN
MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE
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