In today’s passage, three things stand out to me.

First, David gives the qualifications for leadership.

“He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.” (2 Samuel 23:3–4, NKJV)

The Hebrew word translated “just” can also be translated “righteous” or “innocent”. The leader must be righteous and rule in the fear of God—hating evil and governing others as one who will give an account to God. I love David’s description of such a person. He is like dawn’s first light on a morning without clouds. He gives illumination to others to guide them through dark places. He gives his people hope that justice will be served rather than his own agenda.

Second, we have the account of David’s mighty men beginning with The Three. Two of these stand out to me.

There was Eleazar, the son of Dodo. He attacked the Philistines until his hand was so weary that it stuck to the sword. Consequently, the LORD brought about a great victory. Likewise, we must hold fast to the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. I think of when Jesus was forty days in the wilderness without food, and Satan came to tempt Him. Three times Jesus said, “It is written.” He held fast to the Word of God, resisted temptation, and overcame the devil.

Finally, there was Shammah, the son of Agee. The Philistines gathered in a field of lentils to attack Israel. The people fled from the Philistines, but Shammah stood his ground in the middle of the field and defended it. Once again, the LORD brought about a great victory. We may only have a small lentil field that God has given to us. But will we stand and defend our turf, even when everyone else abandons us? The LORD will never leave us or forsake us.

So today let us purpose in our hearts to lead with righteousness, hold fast to the Word, and stand our ground, even if we’re only defending a hill of beans!