I can still remember where I was sitting, the room I was in, my age, why I was attending this class at Tyndale University & Seminary and the speaker, Howard Hendricks, as he captivated me with the story of Benaiah. Not just any story, for there are many, but the summary of things Benaiah did that captured David’s heart.
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a Mighty Man from Kabzeel with many exploits to his credit: he killed two famous Moabites; he climbed down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day; and he killed an Egyptian, a giant seven and a half feet tall. The Egyptian had a spear like a ship’s boom but Benaiah went at him with a mere club, tore the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with it. These are some of the things Benaiah son of Jehoiada did. But he was never included with the Three. He was highly honored among the Thirty, but didn’t measure up to the Three. David put him in charge of his personal bodyguard. – 1 Chronicles 11:22-25 MSG
Today there are books written on this passage and it is no longer “new,” but that day changed my life and I wanted to be as bold, brave and fearless as Benaiah was in his day to day life. It had to matter because look how much attention is given to him in these verses. I want to be that servant of Jesus who is faithful and I know my name is registered in a book that will have much more honour than having my name recorded in a book of fame.
This may be odd and I hope no one takes offense to this – but I do notice something here and I believe it has to be noted – the military – a great and honourable profession. Here is a list of military men under David’s command. I try to wrack my brain – is there a list of great pacifists in the Bible?
I believe what makes Benaiah and these other men so honourable is that David was honourable in his leadership position and they followed in his footsteps with great respect. These names are placed here by the Holy Spirit with personal honour and are for me to grab its truth and essence as I consider who I am following and I ask myself – do I look like Him?
I little diversion of thought, but this struck me hard – take a slow read through the list of mighty men – do you see a name that you can say you know? For me, it was Uriah. Seriously, this is how great of a soldier he was. One of David’s greatest and most honourable men, one who would die for David in an instant. This will take some time to process.
Father, I am so glad how I have been encouraged today by Your Word – it has become alive in me – how deep and real I want my honour for You to be.
Erwin (evanlaar1922)
Sixty-six books in a year 