1 Chronicles 11: 10-19

Steve Holloway

The context of today's passage is the build up to David being crowned King of Israel. In 1 Samuel 16 we read that as a young boy David was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the future King of Israel. Although David had the anointing at a young age, the crown didn't come until years later. There were Goliaths to defeat, songs to soothe the king with and years of humble service before David's time was to come.

Saul failed as king and eventually committed suicide (1 Samuel 31:4) and his son Jonathan was dead. With no immediate successor the crown was up for grabs and now was David's time to see all that had been promised fulfilled.

In the early chapters of 1 Chronicles we see a long list of tribes and people who rallied around David in order to crown him - Why? Because they had seen his heart, his attitude, integrity and leadership before; they knew he would be good for the country. When the chips are down - people know who they want to follow and then move to support them. People cannot be told who to follow - they might obey, but not really follow.

In this fantastic list of support we read of three men. I like to think of them as David's Musketeers. In military terms they were way beyond the SAS or US Navy Seals, they were the elite.

Jashobeam stood with David in a field of Barley, when the Israelite army had fled they remained and fought off three hundred Philistines - Why?

In the cave of Adullam, the 'three' broke through enemy lines just to get David some water from a special well - Why?

Was it that they were mad, insane war-mongers who had nothing better to do with their time? What makes them stand out among the hundreds of thousand to be recorded in history as 'The Three'? Their fighting skills? Their passion? Their anger? The lust for blood? No - none of these.

It seems to me that David is the reason. Jashobeam fought three hundred men over a field of barley - why? Because it was the kings field. If the field had value to the king, then it meant Jashobeam would fight for it. Why would three warriors risk their lives to bring the king a cup of water? Simply because it was the king who asked for it.

So how does this apply to us?

We don't have a king waiting for the throne - we have the King of Kings who is seated on His throne. It is not for us to decide what is worth fighting for - maybe your church, school or street is little more than a barley field to others, and they may run and desert. But if Jesus is fighting then we must stay and fight.

What will you risk just to give Jesus a glass of water? Before you think that won't happen, I want to suggest He asks you everyday - read Matthew 25:31-40.

Questions to ponder.

Are you waiting for your crown? Have you been given a prophecy that you are waiting to happen? How can you prepare to have a leader's attitude and heart like David?

What is the barley field in your life the King is looking to you to protect?

What will you do today when Jesus asks you for a glass of water?