Scripture Passage:  “And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite.  And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentils: and the people fled from the Philistines.  But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.”  II Samuel 23:11-12

 

Dear Friends,

 

     The greatest king of Israel, David, experienced great success because of two things:  1. His love and heart for God 2.  The people he surrounded himself with.  God said of David, “He is a man after my own heart.”  David sinned just like you and I do and sometimes even worse.  He was a man with a temper and sex drive.  He was a leader and a numbers guy.  He was a planner and sometimes his plans got ahead of God’s plans.  He was a musician and worshipper and his style was often unorthodox.  He could go from being exuberant to depressed with the drop of a hat, but he could also be rock steady and unshakable when he needed to be.  When David sinned he often tried to cover it up or pretend that nothing happened.  When Nathan the prophet confronted him on several occasions, he confessed and repented with godly sorrow.  David knew who he was, but God knew him even better.  David’s love for God never waned and even when he messed up his true heart eventually showed back up.

 

 

     David also surrounded himself with men of exceptional ability and undying loyalty.  His list of “Mighty Men” includes at least 37 names.  They were a varied lot from multiple backgrounds and occupations.  They were fiercely loyal and extremely protective.  On one occasion, David expressed a desire to have a drink of water from the well at Bethlehem.  Three of his men broke through enemy lines at the peril of their own lives to provide their friend and leader with what he desired.  David was so moved by their gift that he poured it out as a drink offering of worship to God. (II Samuel 23: 13-16)  One of his men, Banaiah, was a high priest/soldier who slew two lion like men of Moab and later killed a lion in a pit during a time of snow. II Samuel 23: 20   (Talk about cage-fighting. That was the ultimate test of courage.)  One was even Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah,  that David had killed to cover up his sin.  These men were the cream of the crop who served valiantly and persistently until the very end.

 

     My focus today is one of those mighty men named Shammah.  Shammah and a group of people were attacked in a field full of lentils and barley.  The Lentil is the first vegetable listed by name in Scripture.  Lentils produced the red pottage like soup that Esau sold his birthright for.  It could also be used as an ingredient to make bread with.  Lentils, barley and wheat are three of the main crops the Israelites used to supply the nation with food.  A lentil is a legume that grows in a pod like a pea. When the Philistines showed up Shammah’s help fled.  I imagine Shammah said to himself, “I’ve had all of this I am going to put up with.” “This land was given to us to be used for God’s glory and to provide for His children and I am not going to let these devils take it.”  “Whether I live or whether I die, I am going to stand and fight.”  This passage of Scripture says that Shamman stood in the middle of the field, defended God’s turf, and slew Philistines until there were no more to slay.  God used one man’s ability and determination to achieve a great victory for His glory.  Israel was justified, the Philistines were vilified,  Shamman was memorialized, and God was glorified.  It was a great day in the Lord.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Johnny