Valiant Men

In Sunday school, we’ve been working through the books of I and II Samuel. So many of the stories are about David and Saul, Jonathan and the Israelites. Rich stories about trusting the God who looks not on the outward appearance, but on the heart.

Last Sunday, we looked at 2 Samuel 23 which lists the 30 valiant men who followed David and fought for him. These were brave men who were willing to fight against the enemy but who were also courageous enough to go against Saul, the current king. They believed in David and in the God he loved. They lived in caves and in tents, not knowing when they might have to face the king’s army, yet willing to defend the man they believed would one day be the king of Israel.

We often scan over lists of names in the Bible, because they’re difficult to pronounce and we have no idea where places such as Anathoth or Pirathon or Carmel really are. Yet these men were real, living, flesh and blood warriors. Men such as Asahel and Zalmon and Benaiah – men who left their homes and their security to wander through the pasturelands on a quest with the next king.

The Bible describes these men as valiant – an adjective we don’t often use in the 21st century. Yet because they were part of the history of Israel and the journey of King David, they are listed – all 30 of them – in a prominent book of the Old Testament. Valiant men. Courageous men. Men who dared to fight against the status quo and believe in something better.

I wonder – where are the valiant men and women today? Are we hiding, because it’s too scary to venture into the world and be warriors for King Jesus? Or are we working and praying and fighting, but no one seems to notice.

God knows, and He is making His own list of the valiant ones who serve the King.