What other biblical figures demonstrate similar perseverance as Eleazar in 2 Samuel 23:10? Eleazar’s Iron Grip on the Sword “but he rose up and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword. And the LORD brought about a great victory that day” (2 Samuel 23:10). Eleazar’s perseverance is pictured in three vivid strokes: • he “rose up” when others fell back, • he fought “until his hand was weary,” • his hand “clung to the sword,” fused to the very instrument God used for victory. Kindred Spirits in the Old Testament • Shammah – 2 Samuel 23:11-12: “he took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory.” One man, one patch of lentils, one unwavering stand. • David – 1 Samuel 17:48-50: the shepherd who ran toward Goliath while others cowered, refusing to concede an inch of God’s honor. • Joshua and Caleb – Numbers 14:6-9; Joshua 14:10-12: forty-five years of waiting did not cool Caleb’s resolve: “give me this hill country… with the Anakim.” • Gideon – Judges 7:7-8: pressed on with only three hundred men, trusting God rather than numbers. • Moses with lifted hands – Exodus 17:11-12: “when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed… but Moses’ hands were heavy,” so others propped them up until the battle was won. • Job – Job 13:15; 42:10-17: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” Months of agony ended in double blessing, but Job never let go of faith. • Nehemiah – Nehemiah 4:17-18: builders “labored with one hand and held a weapon with the other,” persevering through ridicule and threats until the wall was finished. Steadfast Voices in the New Testament • The Apostle Paul – Acts 14:19-22; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28: stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, yet telling new believers, “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” • The Early Church – Acts 5:40-42: flogged for preaching Jesus, they “never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news.” • The Lord Jesus – Hebrews 12:2-3: “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame… so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Perfect perseverance, the model and the power behind every other example. Shared Threads of Perseverance • An unshakable confidence in God’s promise: each held fast because God had spoken. • Endurance that ignores personal cost: weary hands, aging bodies, opposition, even a cross. • Victory credited to the Lord: “the LORD brought about a great victory” (2 Samuel 23:10, 12). Human effort was real; divine enablement made it decisive. Applying Eleazar’s Lesson Today • Grip the Word as Eleazar gripped the sword (Ephesians 6:17). • Stand when others retreat, trusting God to bring the victory (Galatians 6:9). • Fix eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith,” whose perseverance secures ours (Hebrews 12:2). |
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