Hero’s are
misplaced characters today. Regardless if they want the title or not, sports
figures become the go to hero’s of young people and adults alike. With the lack
of leadership in our culture, hero’s are in high demand.
A hero is defined as a person who is admired
for achievements and noble qualities, someone who shows great courage.
I like a
hero as much as the next person, like everyone I’ve been let down by people
I’ve looked up to. Today my focus is more on biblical characters that God has
raised up as role models and heroes.
I want to
tell you about one of my biblical hero’s named Benaniah. This guy has a lot of
qualities I would love to emulate; by God’s grace I hope some of them are a part of
who I am.
Benaiah
was in charge of King David’s guard. He was one of what was known as David’s
“Mighty Men of Valor”. So David chose to put him in charge of his bodyguards.
He needed a good man for this task. Saul was after David so he needed someone
he could trust to have his back. Then David’s son Absalom tried to kill him.
Not on Benaiah’s watch!
Benaiah
was also the commander of David’s mercenary forces, the non-Jewish guys who
fought for David.
Benaiah
was also the son of a priest. He was a PK! He grew up knowing the value of
worshipping God! He was a lover of God and a lover of the things of God. I like this guy a
lot! His dad, Jehoida was one of the priests who gathered 3,700 men who
supported David when he was crowned King. See 1 Ch. 12:21.
2 Samuel
23:23 and 1 Ch. 11:23 tell us that his grand father was a valiant man from
Kabzeel. He has a great family line who are lovers of God and studs, don’t’
mess with these guys they mean business!
One of the coolest things Benaiah did, a little crazy but really cool! He
came face to face with a lion on a snowy day. The lion started to chase him, he ran past a pit, but the lion didn’t make it, he fell into the pit. Benaiah stops
running, goes back to look into the pit, then he jumps in and kills the lion!
Wait, who does something like that? God’s man, who is raised up for God's own purpose who would later be put in charge of protecting a man after God's own heart,
that’s who. You can find this in 2 Samuel 23:20 and 1 Ch. 11:22. Right before
he kills the lion, Benaiah killed two Moabite heroes. Our English
version of the Bible refers to the Moabite hero’s as the two sons of Ariel of
Moab. The KJV makes this idea take on more of an interesting meaning it actually translates Ariel as “Loin Like Men.” Benaiah was a mighty man who killed to heroes from Moab that were as
strong and as brave as lions! Then he kills an actual lion!
Bemaiah
also killed an Egyptian giant. This Egyptian was about seven feet tall. His
spear was the size of a weavers beam; ok that's a spear was about 2-2 ½ inches
round! Benaniah takes his spear and kills him with it! This guy is a beast!
He also
has his hand in making sure Solomon becomes king of Israel. Solomon’ half
brother, Adonijah, declares himself king while David is still alive. We know
Solomon is God’s man to lead Israel after his dad. Benaiah is loyal to King
David and fully backs Solomon. (Kings 1:36) His mercenary army parades Solomon
to his coronation. Benaiah is also the guy who kills the guys who are against
Solomon. (1Kings 2:24-46) Including Joab, the trader who was the commander of David’s
army. So Solomon the wisest man on earth makes Benaiah the commander of his
army. Smart move king!
Benaiah
loved God; he loved his king and devoted his entire life to each in every way
that honored God. These are the things to be admired in a person's life. The things that
make up true heroes.
Research by Jeffery Kranz
Research by Jeffery Kranz
