What can we learn about loyalty from the warriors listed in 1 Chronicles 11? The Setting: David’s Mighty Men and Our Focus on Verse 37 • 1 Chronicles 11 records an elite band of warriors who “gave strong support to him in his kingdom” (11:10). • Verse 37 slips in two names—“Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai.” • Their stories are untold, yet their inclusion testifies to unwavering devotion. God noticed, David remembered, and Scripture preserves their loyalty for every generation. Snapshots of Loyalty in 1 Chronicles 11 • Shared hardship – These men stood by David during years of exile (11:15–19). Loyalty showed up in caves, not palaces. • Immediate obedience – Three of them risked enemy lines to fetch water from Bethlehem simply because David sighed for it (11:18). No debate, only action. • Single-minded allegiance – “They strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom” (11:10). Their strength was channeled toward one purpose—God’s anointed king. • Unsung faithfulness – Names like Naarai have no exploits recorded, yet God lists them alongside giants such as Benaiah and Abishai. Quiet loyalty counts. Naarai Son of Ezbai: What His Name Teaches 1. Presence matters. He showed up, stayed close, and never peeled off when easier opportunities arose. 2. Bearing the family testimony. “Son of Ezbai” ties his loyalty to a household that apparently cultivated faithfulness. Loyalty often begins at home. 3. Living proof that rank is irrelevant. Famous or unknown, every servant will answer for loyalty (cf. Matthew 25:21). Biblical Threads That Reinforce This Lesson • Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” • Ruth 1:16 – Ruth clings to Naomi when prospects look bleak—loyalty over comfort. • John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” David’s men modeled that readiness. • 2 Timothy 2:3–4 – Good soldiers of Christ do not become entangled in civilian pursuits but please the One who enlisted them. Marks of Loyal Service We Can Emulate • Steadfast commitment even when recognition is unlikely. • Quick, costly obedience that does not wait for applause. • Alignment with God’s chosen purposes rather than personal agendas. • Faithfulness birthed in private—long before public acknowledgment ever comes. Practical Takeaways for Today • Show up consistently where God has placed you; unseen faithfulness is still recorded. • Refuse to abandon God-given relationships when circumstances sour. • Let your home cultivate loyalty; children copy what they see. • Measure success not by fame but by steadfast service to the King. |
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