How can we apply the loyalty shown in 1 Chronicles 12:11 today? The Verse “Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth.” (1 Chronicles 12:11) Setting the Scene • 1 Chronicles 12 describes warriors defecting from Saul’s collapsing kingdom to stand with David, God’s anointed king. • Verse 11 names three of them—Eliel, Johanan, and Elzabad—quiet, almost hidden figures whose choice shouts loyalty. • Their decision meant leaving familiar territory, risking Saul’s wrath, and embracing an uncertain future—all because they trusted God’s plan for David. What Their Loyalty Looked Like • Discernment—recognizing where God’s hand rested (Psalm 75:6-7). • Courage—crossing enemy lines to side with truth (Joshua 1:9). • Steadfastness—remaining beside David through wilderness hardships (Proverbs 17:17). • Team-mindedness—submitting their individual gifts to a greater mission (Philippians 2:3-4). Why Loyalty Matters Today • Our culture prizes convenience; Scripture prizes covenant faithfulness (Malachi 2:10). • Christ still gathers men and women who will stand with His kingdom when it costs (Luke 9:23). • The Church’s witness is strengthened when believers stick with God, His Word, and one another (John 13:35). Practical Ways to Live Out This Loyalty 1. Stay anchored to Christ and His Word – Guard daily time in Scripture; refuse to drift with shifting opinions (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 2. Support God-given leadership – Pray for pastors and elders; speak well of them rather than joining grumbling (Hebrews 13:17). 3. Show up in hard seasons – Visit the grieving, bring meals to the sick, sit with the discouraged (Galatians 6:2). 4. Honor commitments – Keep vows in marriage, church membership, and ministry teams; let your “yes” be yes (Matthew 5:37). 5. Guard unity – Address conflict biblically, refuse gossip, and pursue reconciliation (Ephesians 4:3). 6. Stand for truth in public – Speak biblical convictions with grace even when unpopular (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). 7. Invest long-term – Give time, talents, and treasure where God has placed you instead of chasing the next trend (1 Corinthians 15:58). Looking to the Greater David • Jesus exemplified ultimate loyalty—“having loved His own…He loved them to the end” (John 13:1). • Our loyalty is a grateful response to His: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). • As Eliel, Johanan, and Elzabad attached themselves to David, so we attach ourselves to Christ, confident that “those who wait for the LORD will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 49:23). Takeaway Quiet names in an ancient list still call us to bold, covenant-keeping allegiance—first to Christ, then to the people and purposes He entrusts to us. |
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