2 Samuel 21:15-22: a reflection

15The Philistines had war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines. David grew faint; 16and Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of bronze in weight, he being armed with a new sword, thought he would kill David. 17But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “Don’t go out with us to battle any more, so that you don’t quench the lamp of Israel.” 18After this, there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the sons of the giant. 19There was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite’s brother, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 20There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on every hand and six toes on every foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was born to the giant. 21When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, killed him. 22These four were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

In a battle against the Philistines, David, once the young giant-killer, now grows faint; and a Philistine warrior nearly kills him, until Abishai comes to his rescue and strikes the enemy down. After this, David's men make him swear not to go out to battle with them any more, lest the lamp of Israel be quenched. David, even David, had come to the limit of his strength; he grew faint, needed rescue, and had to accept that he could no longer do what he once did. Even the strongest have their limits, and need others.

Notice what this shows about even the strongest: they grow faint, and need others. David had been the mighty warrior; but now he grew faint in battle, and had to be rescued by another, and then to step back, accepting that he could no longer fight as he had. Even he had limits; even he needed the help of others and had to recognize when to step back. The strongest are not without limits; they too grow faint, need rescue, and must at times let others carry on what they can no longer do alone.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can imagine we should be able to do everything ourselves, without limit or help. We can push on as though we had no limits, reluctant to accept help or to step back, as though needing others were a weakness; but even David grew faint, needed rescue, and had to let others take his place. There is no shame in reaching the limit of your strength, needing others' help, or stepping back to let others carry on. Do not imagine you must do everything yourself, without limit or help; even the strongest grow faint and need others, as David did. Accept your limits, receive the help of others when you grow faint, and be willing to let others carry on what you can no longer do alone, as David accepted rescue and stepped back from battle; for even the strong have their limits, and we are not meant to bear everything alone.

Lord, in a battle against the Philistines, David, once the young giant-killer, now grows faint; and a Philistine warrior nearly kills him, until Abishai comes to his rescue and strikes the enemy down. After this, David's men make him swear not to go out to battle with them any more, lest the lamp of Israel be quenched. David, even David, had come to the limit of his strength; he grew faint, needed rescue, and had to accept that he could no longer do what he once did. Show me what this shows about even the strongest: they grow faint, and need others. David had been the mighty warrior; but now he grew faint, and had to be rescued, and then to step back. Even he had limits; even he needed the help of others. The strongest are not without limits; they too grow faint, and must at times let others carry on. Take that to my heart, for I can imagine I should be able to do everything myself, without limit or help. I can push on as though I had no limits, reluctant to accept help or to step back, as though needing others were a weakness; but even David grew faint, needed rescue, and had to let others take his place. There is no shame in reaching the limit of my strength, needing others' help, or stepping back. Keep me from imagining I must do everything myself, without limit or help; even the strongest grow faint and need others. Help me accept my limits, receive the help of others when I grow faint, Lord, and be willing to let others carry on what I can no longer do alone.