Day #119 | "How to Build a Great Team"

LOOK | WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Read 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11

THINK | WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Having a strong supporting team. 1 Chronicles 11:10 describes how David's chief mighty men "gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king." The list of men in this passage and in 2 Samuel 23 goes on to describe men who had joined themselves to David throughout his career, from his time in the territory of the Philistines all the way to the end of his reign. As great as David was, he needed supporters to accomplish goals for Israel.

Recognizing good talent from unusual backgrounds. Among David's chief mighty men, we also see a good group of non-Israelites. Zelek the Ammonite (2 Samuel 23:37; 1 Chronicles 11:39), Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 23:39, 1 Chronicles 11:41) and Ithmah the Moabite (1 Chronicles 11:46) are at least some of the Gentile officers who David brought into his army and elevated. By finding the best and bringing them onto his team, David secured his position, brought Israel out from under the Philistines, unified Israel, prepared for great building projects which his son Solomon would enact, won great victories, established a culture of worship in the kingdom, and died having reached old age and having left behind something for others.

Celebrating their accomplishments. These lists of David's men exist because David celebrated their accomplishments and told their stories. He celebrated them. Unlike Saul who grew jealous when David accomplished mighty feats, David elevated those who did great work in his service.

The Lord worked through them. There are multiple spots throughout this reading where some mighty action of one of the men is described, and then we are told that God enabled the man to accomplish the feat. Shammah the Hararite took a brave stand on his own against a force of Philistines, we are told, "and the LORD worked a great victory" (2 Samuel 23:11-12).  Dodo son of Ahohi slew the Philistines so thoroughly that he became more worn out by continuing to swing his sword than by the resistance of the opposing army, and the narrative adds, "And the LORD brought about a great victory that day" (2 Samuel 23:9-10).

DO | HOW DO WE RESPOND?

How can we respond in our worship, attitude, and actions? IN OUR ACTIONS we should endeavor to build up and work together with teams, to recognize and encourage the talents of others, and to work together to accomplish big goals.

PRAY | HOW DOES THIS BRING US TO GOD?

Whether in response to anything pointed out here, or to something else in your Bible reading time, take a few moments before you close up your Bible to pray in response to God. If you need a format for prayer, both the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), CALL (Confess, Ask, Love, Listen), and PRAY (Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield) methods are helpful ways to stay consistent.

-Sean