What is a Mighty Man?

“These were the chiefs of David's mighty men – they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the LORD had promised -- “
1 Chronicles 11:10

The concept of a mighty man is most often associated with the warriors who supported David's kingship. The Hebrew word for mighty is gibbor. It's from the root gabar. Gabar means to be strong, prevail and act insolently. Insolent is being boldly disrespectful in speech or behavior.

These guys were boldly disrespectful of the established government as they worked to make David king over the whole land. Today's mighty men have to be boldly disrespectful of the established kingdom of Satan as they work to make Jesus Christ king of the whole world.

Fighters

The mighty men were first and foremost known as fighters. Willing to risk their own lives to further David's kingship.

Jashobeam killed 300 men at one time with his spear. (1 Chronicles 11:11)

Eleazar took a stand with David in the middle of a barley field when the rest of the troops fled from the Philistines. They defended the field and struck the Philistines down. (1 Chronicles 11:12-14) And that was after they picked a fight by taunting the Philistines. (2 Samuel 23:9) Eleazar fought so long and hard the muscles in his hand quit moving and froze gripping his sword (2 Samuel 23:10)

Shammah did the same thing in the middle of a lentil field. (2 Samuel 23:11-12)

Three of David's mighty men fought their way into Bethlehem just to get David a drink of water from the well near the gate! (2 Samuel 23:13-17)

Abishai killed 300 men with his spear. (1 Chronicles 11:20)

Benaiah killed two of Moab's best men. He also jumped into a pit and killed a lion. Furthermore, he attacked a 7 and a half foot Egyptian giant with a club. He killed the Egyptian with his own spear after Benaiah took it away from him. (1 Chronicles 11:22-23)

First and foremost, these guys were fighters. If I want to be a mighty man of God, I have to ask myself, “Am I willing to boldly speak against the established culture as an ambassador for Jesus Christ?”

“Am I willing to fight to make Jesus Christ king of the whole world?”

Purpose

Mighty men live with purpose. Their purpose was to support and extend David's kingship over the whole land (1 Chronicles 11:10). They didn't fight to gain glory for themselves. They fought to establish God's purpose.

If I want to be a mighty man for God, I have to ask myself, “Am I willing to fight for God's purpose instead of my own glory?”

“Am I willing to fight to make Jesus Christ king of the whole world?”

Motivation

Why were the mighty men willing to fight to extend David's kingship over the whole land? What motivated them? Because “the LORD had promised” to make David king over the whole land and they knew it. (1 Chronicles 11:10)

They were motivated by the promise of God.

God has promised to make Jesus Christ king of the whole world. And I know it.

Philippians 2:9-11 says,

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

God has promised to extend Jesus Christ's kingship over the whole world! Not just the land. And I know it.

If I want to be a mighty for God, I have to ask myself, “Am I willing to believe and act on the promise of God and fight to make Jesus Christ king of the whole world?”

Victory

The mighty men were fighters, but they knew victory came from the LORD.

“They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.” (1 Chronicles 11:14)

“He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.” (2 Samuel 23:12)

If I want to be a mighty man for God, I have to ask myself, “Am I willing to fight to make Jesus Christ king of the whole world and am I willing to give God the credit for any and all victories that I participate in?”

Conclusion

A mighty man fights.

A mighty man focuses on making Jesus Christ king of the whole world.

A mighty man believes the promises of God.

A mighty man gives God the glory for the victories.

Am I a mighty man?

Are you?

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Posted on February 22, 2009