The Third of The Three

In some cases being the third of three might not sound so good, but in the case of Shammah it was a great thing.  Have you ever heard of him?  I hadn’t either until a couple of Sundays ago. 

Our minister mentioned Shammah in a sermon about lesser known characters in the Bible.   He challenged us to look this man up in the Bible to find out what he did. 

2 Samuel Chapter 23 tells us about some of David’s mightiest warriors.  These were extraordinary men who were loyal to David and to God.  They fought against the enemies of God’s people.  Through their efforts the Lord brought about great victories. 

The first three men mentioned are simply called “the three” or “the three mighty men” (verse 8,9).  Shammah is the third of these men.  Still, that is certainly nothing to look at lightly! 

“And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines.  But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.”  (2 Samuel 23:11-12)

How amazing is this?!!  The Philistine army was gathered together in one place.  David’s men fled the scene.  Only Shammah remained.  He took his stand.  Such a simple statement, but it conveys so much!

I’ve read this passage several times – and read the entire chapter a couple of times too.  Such a powerful lesson is packed into these two verses.  Shammah had great courage to face all these men alone.  It seems the mighty warrior had no intention of giving up this plot to the Philistines.

I am reminded of Ephesians 6:13 – “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”  Shammah stood firm against the enemy and we must stand firm today too.  

I am sure we all have our own “Philistines” to face – our own plot to defend.  Everyone faces spiritual battles.  Sisters, we should help each other protect our souls.  We cannot be like the men who fled from the Philistines and left Shammah alone. 

The third of the three mighty men struck down the Philistines that day, but who actually worked the great victory?  The LORD did.  Our God worked the great victory!  All because Shammah took a stand. 

God still works great victories today – when we take our stand.  May we always have the courage to stand up for what is right!

Christ above all things – Robin