Building an Army of Men

2 Chronicles, Chapter 12, records the historical record of David’s rise to kingship. David had been on the run as King Saul sought to kill him. But now Saul was dead. 1 Chronicles 10:13 confirms this fact by stating, “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance. Verse 14 continues: “And (Saul) did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.” The writer shares that ‘all Israel came together to David at Hebron and anointed him King over Israel.’ The concluding statement of this verse is, “…as the Lord had promised through Samuel.” Everyone knew that the Lord had positioned David for this moment.

David became more and more powerful because the Lord Almighty was with him.

David was now the king of Israel. Every kingdom must have a king, and every king must have an army. David was on his way to fulfilling the plan of God for him. If every king must have an army, then every army must have men! 1 Chronicles 11:9 reveals that “David became more and more powerful because the Lord Almighty was with him.” It is amazing what a king can accomplish when the Lord is with him. Miraculous things are possible for anyone as long as the Lord is with them. God provides for every need that we have. He did the same thing for King David. David must not repeat the mistakes of his predecessor. The lack of leadership will always create a gap in leadership. Under the reign of Saul, this was the reality. Saul’s men were confused about following him. It became evident that this was known to all.

Like any king, David needed strong men around him. Men must realize their need for other men to surround them. There is no limit to what men can accomplish together. Men must learn to respect the leaders God has placed in their lives. 1 Chronicles 11:10 testifies of the benefits leaders can have when they have the support of strong men. “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.” Every man must realize that the Lord has a plan for their lives. The Lord is faithful and will not allow His word to return void. His promises are sure. David is a testament that God can be trusted. God did help in providing men for David to lead. Our Heavenly Father remains committed to provide for your every need.

Chapter 12 of 2 Chronicles is so important when it comes to discerning the Father and His ways. God placed a brother inside every man. There is a man inside every boy. Men need each other more than they realize, and the enemy works overtime to ensure they don’t make this their priority. The Father’s heart is that men would sharpen one another. The Bible provides many examples of this truth. Verse 1: “These were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was banished from the presence of Saul the son of Kish (they were among the warriors who helped him in battle.” Notice that they are referred to as warriors. Verse 8: “Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear.” Notice again that they are referred to as warriors. Verse 14 describes the Gadites as army commanders, “the least of them was a match for a hundred while the greatest was a match for a thousand. These men put to flight everyone living in the valleys, to the eat and to the west.” These men were warriors!

Verse 19 tells us “that some of the men of Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul.” They were not permitted to engage in this warfare because the rulers of the Philistines concluded that they were a risk, should they desert them in battle. In short, verse 21 and 22 confirms what God was doing on behalf of David, and His plan concerning him. “They helped David against raiding bands, for all of them were brave warriors, and they were commanders in his army. Day after day men came to help David until he has a great army, like the army of God.”

The conclusion is obvious—God has an army in heaven. He is the King in heaven. I remind you once again that every kingdom needs a king, and every king needs an army. To have an army, the king must have men. God’s will is to have an army of men in the earth as He has in heaven. God created men to represent His presence in the earth. Manhood is under attack. Fatherhood is subject to compromise. The role of the man in our culture today is under assault.

It will take an army of men to fulfill the purpose of God for manhood today.