“Yoshev-Bashevet the Tach’kmoni, chief of the three, also known as ‘Adino the ‘Etzni; he is the one who came against 800 men, whom he killed in a single encounter.“-2 Samuel 23:8
Alrighty, let’s begin our text analysis of the recorded events connected to the awesome warriors in David’s war cabinet.
So the first sword-wielding dude we’re introduced to is Yoshev-Bashevet, the Tach’kmoni.
The fact that he’s listed first tells us a lot.
It means he was the most prominent homie of them all!
Well, of course, he was below Joab.
But Joab wasn’t even mentioned, as we went into yesterday.
We’re told he was also called Adino the Etzni, and as already discussed, the name “Yoshev-Bashevet” was most definitely a copyist error.
In the Book of 1st Chronicles, we find a totally different name for him.
He is called Yashov’am there.
Again, as I mentioned, that was most certainly his real name, as Yoshev-Bashevet doesn’t make any sense.
So we’re told this warrior killed 800 men in a single battle.
To be clear, this doesn’t mean he killed all 800 men alone as Samson did when he slaughtered thousands of Philistines with a single jawbone.
Also, don’t think the number 800 is a precise body count.
It ain’t.
It just means Yashov’am was in charge of the battle that resulted in the defeat of about 800 enemy soldiers.
Of course, I’m sure he led by example and fought bravely in the trenches alongside his men.
Next, verse 9 gives us an accounting of a man referred to as “Eleazar son of Dodo.”
Notice this verse starts with the words, “After him.”
This refers to status or rank.
In other words, Eleazar reported directly to Yashov’am.
He is remembered for courageously standing against the Philistines when grossly outnumbered.
Apparently, he fought so hard that his hand was still cramped into a death grip around the handle of his sword after the battle ended.
Onward.
The next verse also begins with the words “After him.”
Again, this means that the listed warrior, Shammah son Age, was the 3rd in line of command.
He is most remembered for protecting a field of lentils from the Philistines.
During warfare in those days, it was normal for an invading force to first attack its opponent’s food supply.
Now I want you to notice something interesting.
We’re told that the P’lishtim had “assembled at Lechi.”
Does that location ring a bell for you?
It should.
Let’s travel back to Judges Chapter 15
“The P’lishtim went up, pitched camp in Y’hudah and attacked Lechi. The men of Y’hudah said, ‘Why are you attacking us?’ They replied, ‘To arrest Shimshon, that’s why — to treat him the way he treated us.'”-Judges 15:9-10
Interesting!
This is the same location where the same enemy, the Philistines, attacked Israel.
And afterwards, this was the same place where Samson single-handedly slaughtered thousands of Philistines with that jawbone of a donkey.
This leads to our takeaway for today.
Are you noticing the common enemy Israel is fighting in all of these battle accounts?
They’re all Philistines, man!
Well, to be clear, 2 Samuel 23:8 doesn’t say who Yashov’am fought, but given the context, I think it’s pretty clear it was most likely the Philistines.
And do you recall the Greek word for the Philistines?
It’s the Palestinians.
That’s right.
The same enemy Israel fought thousands of years ago is the same enemy Israel is fighting today.
I’m telling you, man.
Scripture is just as relevant to our modern times as it was back in the Biblical era when these words were first penned.
In fact, because I really understand Scripture.
And I mean because I really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY understand Scripture.
Unlike most folks…
Who just skim the Gospels…
Dip their ridiculous toes into Paul’s letters a bit…
And then hand their brains over to whatever anti-Semitic, replacement-theology nonsense is coming from the pulpit.
I possess insight into what’s happening in the world right now that surpasses even the rulers of nations.
I ain’t even kidding, man!
I could tell the current Prime Minister of Japan right now what’s up with Scripture, and how her policies had better favor Israel if she wants her nation to flourish.
And you too will gain this superior insight into world events if you make an effort to understand Scripture, and not blindly surrender your God-given brain to whatever you’re force-fed from the pulpit
Ya feel me, man?
Tragically, there are so few homies in the world who understand how Biblical history connects to world events today.
Remember, history is His Story.
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“For whatever was written in former days
was written for our instruction,
that through endurance and through the
encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4
“Now these things happened
to them as examples,
but they were written down
for our instruction,
on whom the end of
the ages has come.”
1 Corinthians 10:11
“All Scripture is breathed out by God
and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:16
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