The original ‘Band of Brothers’

There was once a group of men who stood head and shoulders above others in their day. The Bible simply calls them “the thirty” – fighting men fiercely devoted to God and their soon-to-be king, David (see 2 Samuel 23:8ff). They were the original “Band of Brothers.”

First, were three generals: Adino, Eleazar and Shammah. You don’t want to mess with these guys. Adino killed 800 men in a single battle. Eleazar smote so many Philistines in another battle that his hand had to literally be pried away from his sword. Shammah single-handedly stood his ground when the rest of his army ran away – and was victorious that day against the enemy.

Next were two commanders: Abishai and Benaiah. Don’t worry about pronouncing any of these names…what matters is what they did in the name of Jehovah! Abishai killed 300 enemy soldiers in one battle, with a single spear. Benaiah once killed a lion in a snowy pit and later killed an Egyptian giant (nearly as tall as Goliath) using the giant’s own weapon!

Actually there were 37 of these fighting machines, according to verse 39. Serving under these ‘brothers’ were about 600 more soldiers. A formidable army that David was proud to lead into any battle for the Lord.

Wouldn’t you like to be such a man – or woman? I don’t mean the killing part – I mean the devotion they had for God and their leader, David. Without hesitation, they risked their lives repeatedly.

Anything for Christ! Now that’s a band of brothers and sisters I want to be a part of!

By: Major Frank Duracher