Unsung Heroes

Many of us are familiar with the names David and Goliath, and we have heard the stories of 1 Samuel 17, wherein the boy David, who has secretly been anointed as the next King of Israel, defeats and kills the Philistine champion Goliath in battle.

2 Samuel 17 lists the names of other heroes whom most of us will likely not even remember hearing, namely: Hushai the Archite, the spies Jonathon (not Saul's son) and Ahimaaz, Shobi the Ammonite, Machir of Lo-Debar and Barzillai the Gileadite.

I will venture a guess that even for those who have read 2 Samuel 17, these names do not ring a bell. But these are the very men who risk their lives to save the life of King David from his murderous son Absalom, thus protecting the very line of succession that gave us Christ Jesus through David's son Solomon.

At David's request, Hushai pretends to serve Absalom, but he purposely gives him bad advice about how to overtake David. Then he sends a secret message that warns David and his entourage to immediately flee. Jonathon and Ahimaaz, known cohorts of David, risk their lives by entering open territory to receive this message. Shobi and Machir provided food and rest for David and his men, without which they likely would be too tired and weak to flee. Additionally, an unnamed female slave secretly meets with David's spies to deliver this life saving information. When one of Absalom's allies discovers where the spies are, and Absalom sends his men after them, an unnamed wife of an unnamed "man at Bahurim," hides the slaves in a well at her house. This saves their lives ans enables them to deliver the life-changing message to David.

These may all seem like small acts from unknown people. People don't write songs about how Shobi once served dinner or about how the wife of What's-his-name from that place we can't pronounce once hid two outlaws in a well. Yet they prove to be crucial contributions at an important tipping point in history, particularly for those of use who claim Christ as Savior Lord and King.

For those of us who feel unseen, unnamed, and perhaps unimportant, please be encouraged by this story. Whether we are called to slay giants before thousands or to quietly serve a meal to hungry people whose name no-one knows, what we have to offer God matters. We will never know on this side of Heaven what an eternal impact even small acts of service and obedience will have on advancing God's kingdom. Even if our names do not make the history books, God can and will use our acts of faithfulness to change history. So please do not underestimate the role you are called to play.

Photo by Javier García on Unsplash

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