by John David Hicks, Evangelist © 1997
1 Chronicles 11:9-11, 22-25 And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him. These were the chiefs of David’s mighty men — they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the LORD had promised…Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
If you take away David’s mighty men, David is just a leader of a band of men. Conversely, in strengthening David, these mighty men strengthened themselves. David’s success was their success. David’s achievements were their achievements. They had a rare, Spirit-filled, symbiotic relationship in which their sum was greater than their individual parts. They brought out the best in each other.
There are two groups of mighty men mentioned: the thirty and the three. The three were the “Joint Chiefs of Staff,” the Generals of the forces of Israel. Then there were the thirty men who were commanders of various divisions of the army. All had proven themselves to be mighty in battle & men of faith.
Out of the 30, one man: Benaiah the son of Jehoiada became the most prominent. He was made Captain of David’s bodyguard. He was chosen for the place of honor close to the king because of three great events of valor for which he was widely known.
On once occasion, Benaiah struck down 2 of Moab’s best men. On another occasion, he killed a Lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. Finally, he was known for the time he killed an Egyptian who was their mighty man. The Egyptian was between 7 ½ and 9 feet tall. (About the same size as Goliath that David killed.) The Egyptian had a spear like a flag pole – about 6 or 7 inches thick.
“An interesting bit of Bible Trivia,” you may think. But what does this have to do with us today? This story, like many in the Bible, has principles in it beyond the obvious meaning. These three enemies whom Benaiah overcame are all used in Scripture as types or symbols, of enemies of the believer today.
FIRST, He struck down two of Moab’s best men. Who was Moab? The Moabites were a nation on the borders of Israel who were related to the Israelites. Remember when Lot fled from Sodom, he hid in a cave with his two daughters. They thought they would never get married & have children, so the got there father drunk & had sex with him. One of son born was Ammon & the other Moab. They were closely related to the Israelites but always their enemies.
This Old Testament symbol is called “the flesh” referring to our selfish life. We are ashamed of what this “flesh” does and we have a hard time controlling it. Moab is a picture of the flesh throughout Scripture, from an uncontrolled life to lust.
SECOND, Benaiah also slew an Egyptian. Egypt is used as a type or picture of the world with its armies, temples, libraries, pharaohs, kings, pomp and splendor. It is a picture of the superficial, empty glory of the world and its ways.
THIRD, the Lion. Peter tells us, “Your adversary, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The Devil, like a Lion, has tremendous authority and power and he is seeking someone to devour.
Since I don’t have time to deal with all three in detail, I want to focus on the central story of the killing of the Lion. This is the most dangerous of the enemies. There is a reason that the Lion is called the king of beasts. The typical male lion is between 350 to 500 pounds of muscle. It is 3 ½ feet tall and 9 feet long from the nose to the tail. With one blow of his paw he can smash the human skull, one of the strongest bones in our bodies. With his jaws he can bite through any bone in the human body.
Do you know the every one of us has a LION in our life? We all have foes that we are afraid to meet. It may be something you are afraid of or something you fear might happen: a physical disease, a crushing disappointment, the loss of a loved one, financial ruin, or failure.
Not only did Benaiah meet a lion but he met it in the worst possible place: in a pit. A place where you are very close to it and there is no escape. But not just in a pit: in a pit on a day when the snow had fallen. I imagine Benaiah’s anxiety as he faced this lion in such close proximity. His footing was slick. Trying to grip his weapon, his hands were red with the numbness of the cold. The glare of the sun in his eyes forced him to squint to see. The worst possible foe, in the worst place, under the worst circumstances. Yet, he won! How? The answer is in the man, his deeds simply revealed what he already was. He was already a mighty man of valor. These deeds simply made it clear to everybody else that he was that kind of man.
In the Bible, the name is a clue to the character of the individual. God often changed a person’s name when he changed his character. Like Jacob, the supplanter to Israel, prince with God. Abram, exalted father to Abraham, father of a multitude. Sarai, dominating, to Sarah, princess. Simon a pebble to Peter, the rock. JEHOIADA means “God knows.” BENAIAH means “God builds.” God knows what you are facing and builds you up and gives you strength to handle it.
GOD KNOWS where you are. Nothing can happen without God knowing about it and permitting it. Jesus said that the hairs on your head are numbered. He knows what you are going through. Beyond that, God not only knows, but he feels what you feel when you are upset, angry, impatient, betrayed, hurt, or tempted. Hebrews tells us, Our high priest was tempted like us & sympathized with our weaknesses. In every respect He has been tempted like us, & knows how we feel.
In Corrie Ten Boom’s book “The Hiding Place” she tells of her & her sister in a concentration camp in horrible conditions. Then one day a degrading experience of having to take off all their clothes to stand before a group of Nazi doctors, and arrogant men, who showed their contempt for them. Corrie said to her sister, “Remember, Jesus was naked on the cross and took insults & abuse.” Her sister lifted up her face with a smile, “Oh, that’s right. Oh, that helps!” God knows. He knows how you feel.
But more than that, HE BUILDS. God has a purpose in mind. He is using what is happening to you to work toward an end. Paul could say in his heartache, sorrow, pain and suffering: “This light affliction is but for a moment, and is working for us a far more exceeding & eternal weight of Glory…and I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” This is not only in Heaven some day, but in the here and now. Those who go through heartaches, pressure, problems, and tribulation in God’s hands emerge softened, chastened, mellowed, more loving, warmer, and more compassionate. God knows. God builds.
When I was pastoring at McMinnville, I trained 16 men and Women in soul winning. Stan Van Arsdel a school teacher was used of God to lead many people to Christ. The Church Board asked me to consider hiring Stan to be our part time “Minister of Evangelism.” I asked Stan to pray about it. He did. After a few days, he told me, “My father was a Nazarene Preacher. When I was a boy there was a godly layman in our church that I admired because of his love for God, people and the pastor. When he spoke in the church everyone listened and followed. I determine when I grew up I wanted to be just like Him. If you give me that title ‘Minister of Evangelism,’ people will think I am payed to do it and not follow. Why don’t you let me do it as a layman without the title? Every pastor who is a Moses needs a Joshua. Let me be your Joshua. I will back you and support you so the Kingdom of God will go forward.”
That was the turning point in my ministry at McMinnville. Like David, every pastor must have some “mighty men” around him to support him.
When King David was on his death bed he asked Benaiah to help the young man Solomon. Under King Solomon Benaiah became his counselor & commander of the army that brought wealth and peace to Israel. Benaiah’s trouble, problems & circumstances were all ordained by God to build character in him. God knows & God Builds. He is doing that in your life too.
In time of trouble recognize: FIRST, God brought me here. It is by his will I am in this place. NEXT, realize that God will keep me here in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child. THEN realize that God will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn. FINALLY, realize that in God’s time He can bring me out again.
This is the Mighty Man that God Builds. (1) He has victory over Moab–the flesh. (2) He has overcome the World, Egypt, because His priorities are straight. (3) He can kill a lion on a snowy day in a pit if need be. God has made you more than a conqueror. Thanks be unto God who gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Cor.15:57)
*Some of this material was adapted from Ray C. Stedman sermon, How to Kill a Lion on a Snowy Day.