David's Mighty Men

When David was in trouble at Ziklag, (SEE HERE) a mighty army of rag-hag warriors came and joined themselves with him. These were the men who came to David while he was banished from the presence of Saul - they were among the loyal and valiant warriors who helped him in battle, and who served him as he rose up to be King over all Israel.  

Biblical names were very important. Some names describe expressions of hopes, revelations of divine purposes, and prophecies of the future. Others were part of genealogical histories, as it was common in Jewish customs to keep a family history. Sometimes names indicated certain circumstances with their birth or family line, character traits, distinctive attributes or a significant event in their life. Names might also point to occupations, or to a symbolic or a prophetic feature of a particular family.

In 1 Chronicles 12 we see a list of David’s Mighty Men - these were the warriors who overcame great armies, defeated superior numbers, remained loyal in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances and were greatly skilled in combat.

There are important lessons here for each of us who are involved in spiritual warfare, worship and intercession. Just their names, alone, can give us an indication of character traits and prophetic vision that we need to cling to for our lives and ministries – even though we may have come from great trials and tragedies, the Lord has something to say about our destiny and purpose in His Kingdom.

There were three classes of these men who came to serve David

1. There were those who came in Distress. The were persecuted by Saul

2. There were those who were in Debt and about to be sold into slavery.

3. There were those who were discontented and unhappy with what life had to offer. Life had not been good to them.

All of us is in the same boat. We are in distress, in a hopeless life, and with a debt we cannot pay, yet the Lord has called us to do great things alongside Him in His kingdom.

Here is a list of these men, and an indication of the meaning of their name:

Ahiezer - brother of help, helper (their chief)

Joash - Jehovah-fired, He who burns, on fire

Jeziel - sprinkled of God; strength, assembly of God, powerful. mighty

Pelet - to deliver or escape, deliverer

Beracah - liberal blessing, bows the knee

Jehu - Jehovah is he

Ishmaiah - the Lord will hear, hearing and obeying the Lord

Jeremiah - the Lord will rise, exalt the Lord, appointed by God

Jahaziel - behold God, seer, visions of God, to understand or perceive

Johanan - Jehovah-favored, God gives, God is gracious, merciful

Jozabad - Jehovah-gives, gift

Eluzai - God will deliver or save, God is my strength

Jerimoth - to be active or to rise up, heights, to be high

Bealiah - the Lord is master or husband, God is Lord

Shemariah - The Lord has guarded, kept and protected

Shephatiah - the Lord has judged/vindicated

Elkanah - God has obtained or taken possession, the zeal of God

Isshiah - The Lord will lend, God forgets

Azarel - God has helped/protected

Joezer - Jehovah is his helper

Jashobeam - people return/nations will be restored, restoration of backsliding

Joelah - can do good/valuable, lifting up, taking away slander

Zebadiah - the Lord has given/endure, Gift from God

From Gad:

Ezer - help, to lay up treasure

Obadiah - servant of the Lord

Eliab - God is my father

Mishmannah - shine, fat, provision

Jeremiah - the Lord will rise, exalt the Lord, God raises up, appointed by God

Attai - my hour or time, timely, fit

Eliel - mighty like an oak, God is my strength, God is my God

Johanan - Jehovah-favored, God gives, God is gracious, merciful

Elzabad - God has bestowed, Gift of God

Jeremiah - the Lord will rise, exalt the Lord, God raises up, appointed by God

Machbannai - a hill or place in Palestine, to wrap around