ESOCS Devotional 17 September 2025 – What You Need to Lead Others Well
MEMORY VERSE: “And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that [was] by the gate, and took [it], and brought [it] to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.” 2 Samuel 26:16 KJV
TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 23:16-39
So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord. 17 And he said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it.
These things were done by the three mighty men.
18 Now Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of another three. He lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three. 19 Was he not the most honored of three? Therefore he became their captain. However, he did not attain to the first three.
20 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 21 And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. 22 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men. 23 He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard.
24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah (the Netophathite), Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite (of the sons of Jashen), Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite (armorbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah), 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
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Would you risk your life to bring your commander a drink from his favourite watering hole? How about risking your popularity to defend the victim of a bully? Or refusing to lie on a report at work?
In 2 Samuel 23:16- 17, while David was hiding in a cave, he expressed his desire for a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. Despite the fact that the well was guarded by Philistine soldiers, three of David’s chief men snuck through enemy lines to get water from the well and brought it back to their commander. David’s men had the courage to take incredible risks for him because David trusted God for direction and led them well.
When we trust in God, those we lead can find the courage to obey Him. We can inspire our families to tithe even when money is tight, or encourage our children to stand firm when their faith is challenged by their peers. We can model for our co-workers or employees how to forgive someone who’s messed up, or how to take the time to serve others.
It’s easy to have confidence in a leader whose strength comes from God. People are more willing to follow the example or direction of someone they trust, and it’s easy to have confidence in a leader whose strength comes from God.
Just as David’s faith helped his men to come together and exceed their own expectations because of their loyalty to him, your faith can lead those watching you to do great things for God.
CHALLENGES
- Who is one person you can inspire to take risks for the Lord? What kind of influence do you have with that person?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord help me to wholly trust, follow and obey you, so I can be a better leader, in Jesus name Amen.
FURTHER READING: 2 Samuel 1-15; 1 Corinthians 1:31
ESOCS Devotional 17 September 2025
