He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. Sermons
(1) two Moabitish champions, or princes, "lions of God" (2 Samuel 8:2); (2) a ferocious lion, which had been driven by a heavy fall of snow into the neighbourhood of human habitations, to the terror of the inhabitants, and had taken refuge in a pit or (empty) cistern; and (3) an Egyptian giant (fighting on the side of the Philistines). "His valour and virtues are recorded, not only for commemoration and remembrance, but likewise for example and imitation of his virtues, and to show how great works the Lord wrought by weak means" (Guild). 1. We ought never to contend, except in a good cause; for truth, justice, and liberty, the honour of God, the kingdom of Christ, and the welfare of men. "If it be possible," etc. (Romans 12:18). 2. We cannot avoid conflict altogether without sin, captivity, dishonour, and destruction. In a world like this there is often no choice but to fight or be slain. "Curse ye Meroz," etc. (Judges 5:23). "Contend earnestly for the faith," etc. (Jude 1:3). "Now we must fight if we would reign." 3. We must not be dismayed by the power of the enemy; "in nothing affrighted by the adversaries" (Philippians 1:28); their strength, their number (two to one, ver. 20), their formidable appearance, their varied character, natural or spiritual; lionlike men, real lions, or "your adversary the devil," who, "as a roaring lion, walketh about," etc. (1 Peter 5:8). Be strong and fear not. 4. We should not be unduly concerned about our own safety; but seek, above all things, to do our duty faithfully, and use our best endeavours to secure the ends for which we strive. Having traced the footprints of the lion in the snow, "he went down" (voluntarily placing his own life in imminent peril to secure the safety of others.) "and slew the lion in the pit" (knowing that he must succeed or perish) "in a time of snow" (which is apt to benumb man's strength and to cool their courage, and when beasts of prey are most fierce and ravenous from hunger). "None of these things move me," etc. (Acts 20:24; Acts 21:13; 2 Timothy 4:16, 17). 5. We must make the best of our resources, however inadequate they may appear; and not shrink from the conflict until we are as fully armed as our opponents. "He went down to him with [only] a staff" (ver. 22); skilfully and adroitly deprived him of his spear ("like a weaver's beam"), rendered him defenceless, and turned his weapon against himself. We must fight with such means as we have. 6. We should never forget the example of our great Leader (1 Samuel 17:50); that he sees us, is ready to help us, and will greatly honour "him that overcometh" (vers. 22, 23; Revelation 2:26). "Though the sons of night blaspheme, 7. We should be encouraged by the remembrance of past successes, achieved by ourselves and others. These are a sure earnest of the final victory of the kingdom of light over the kingdom of darkness. "Greater is he that is in you," etc. (1 John 4:4). - D. (J. Parker, D. D.) People Abiel, Abiezer, Abishai, Adina, Ahiam, Ahijah, Ahlai, Anathoth, Ariel, Asahel, Azmaveth, Baanah, Benaiah, Benjamin, Benjaminites, David, Dodai, Dodo, Eleazar, Elhanan, Eliahba, Eliel, Eliphal, Elnaam, Ezbai, Gareb, Hachmoni, Haggeri, Hanan, Hashem, Heled, Helez, Hepher, Hezro, Hotham, Hothan, Hurai, Ikkesh, Ilai, Ira, Israelites, Ithai, Ithmah, Ittai, Jaasiel, Jashobeam, Jasiel, Jebusites, Jediael, Jehiel, Jehoiada, Jeiel, Jeribai, Joab, Joel, Joha, Jonathan, Joshaphat, Joshaviah, Maacah, Maachah, Maharai, Mibhar, Moabites, Naarai, Naharai, Nathan, Obed, Reubenites, Ribai, Sacar, Samuel, Saul, Shage, Shama, Shammoth, Shimri, Shiza, Sibbecai, Sibbechai, Uriah, Uzzia, Zabad, Zelek, ZeruiahPlaces Adullam, Anathoth, Baharum, Beeroth, Bethlehem, Carmel, Gaash, Gibeah, Harod, Hebron, Jebus, Jerusalem, Kabzeel, Millo, Moab, Netophah, Pas-dammim, Pirathon, Tekoa, Valley of Rephaim, ZionTopics Although, Armed, Attack, Beam, Benaiah, Benai'ah, Cloth-worker's, Club, Cubit, Cubits, Death, Egyptian, Egyptian's, Half, Killed, Measure, Plucked, Pulling, Rod, Seven, Slayeth, Slew, Smitten, Smote, Snatched, Spear, Staff, Stature, Stick, Taketh, Tall, Violently, Weavers, Weaver'sOutline 1. David Becomes King over All Israel4. Jerusalem 10. David's Mighty Men Dictionary of Bible Themes 1 Chronicles 11:23 5272 craftsmen Library The Story of a Cup of WaterBY THEODORE T. MUNGER [From "Lamps and Paths," by courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin & Co.] Be noble! and the nobleness that lies In other men, sleeping, but never dead, Will rise in majesty to meet thine own. --James Russell Lowell: Sonnet IV Restore to God his due in tithe and time: A tithe purloined cankers the whole estate. Sundays observe: think, when the bells do chime, 'Tis angels' music; therefore come not late. God there deals blessings. If a king did so, Who would not haste, nay give, to see … Philip P. Wells—Bible Stories and Religious Classics Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo. Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths . Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician . Chronicles Links 1 Chronicles 11:23 NIV1 Chronicles 11:23 NLT 1 Chronicles 11:23 ESV 1 Chronicles 11:23 NASB 1 Chronicles 11:23 KJV 1 Chronicles 11:23 Bible Apps 1 Chronicles 11:23 Parallel 1 Chronicles 11:23 Biblia Paralela 1 Chronicles 11:23 Chinese Bible 1 Chronicles 11:23 French Bible 1 Chronicles 11:23 German Bible 1 Chronicles 11:23 Commentaries Bible Hub |