2 Samuel 23:8-12: a reflection

8These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth, a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; he was called Adino the Eznite, who killed eight hundred at one time. 9After him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel had gone away. 10He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and the LORD worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take plunder. 11After him was Shammah the son of Agee, a Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines. 12But he stood in the middle of the plot and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD worked a great victory.

Among David's warriors, two are remembered for holding their ground when others fled. Eleazar stood and fought the Philistines until his hand was weary and froze to the sword, and the LORD worked a great victory that day. And Shammah, when the people fled from the Philistines gathered in a field of lentils, stood in the middle of that plot and defended it, and again the LORD worked a great victory. Where others fled, these men held their ground, even a small plot of lentils; and God worked the victory through their standing firm.

Notice the pattern: they held their ground where others fled, and God worked the victory. The people fled; but Eleazar and Shammah stood firm, holding their position, fighting on when others gave way. Shammah defended even a small, unremarkable plot of lentils that others had abandoned. And in each case, the account credits the victory to God: the LORD worked a great victory. They held their ground faithfully, even a small position others deserted; and God gave the victory through their standing firm. Their part was to stand; God's was to give the victory.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too are called to hold our ground faithfully where others give way, and to trust God for the victory. There are positions we are called to hold, stands to keep, even small and unremarkable ones that others abandon; and we can be tempted to flee with the rest, giving way. But Eleazar and Shammah held their ground, and God worked the victory through them. Hold your ground faithfully where you are called to stand, even a small position others have abandoned, rather than fleeing with the rest; and trust God to work the victory through your standing firm. Do not give way where you should stand; hold your ground, even the small plot others have deserted, as Shammah held the field of lentils, and trust that God can work a great victory through the one who stands firm where others flee, as the LORD worked victory through Eleazar and Shammah, who held their ground.

Lord, among David's warriors, two are remembered for holding their ground when others fled. Eleazar stood and fought the Philistines until his hand froze to the sword, and the LORD worked a great victory that day. And Shammah, when the people fled from the Philistines gathered in a field of lentils, stood in the middle of that plot and defended it, and again the LORD worked a great victory. Where others fled, these men held their ground, even a small plot; and you worked the victory through their standing firm. Show me the pattern: they held their ground where others fled, and you worked the victory. Shammah defended even a small, unremarkable plot that others had abandoned. And in each case, the account credits the victory to you. They held their ground faithfully; and you gave the victory. Their part was to stand; yours was to give the victory. Take that to my heart, for I too am called to hold my ground faithfully where others give way, and to trust you for the victory. There are positions I am called to hold, even small ones that others abandon; and I can be tempted to flee with the rest. But Eleazar and Shammah held their ground, and you worked the victory through them. Help me hold my ground faithfully where I am called to stand, Lord, even a small position others have abandoned, rather than fleeing with the rest; and help me trust you to work the victory through my standing firm.