Men of Valor: Eleazar

by David Chadwick

Eleazar, the son of Dodo, is our next man of valor. As a side note, Dodo is not a name I would recommend naming your next child!

2 Samuel 23 gives the account of his story.

Also called “a man of valor,” Eleazar was another one of the three mighty men in King David’s inner circle. He, too, was a Benjamite, from the tribe of King Saul. Like Jashobeam, I wonder if he had to decide where his loyalties would lie, either with David or Saul and take a stand.

Eleazar was most known for fighting against the Philistines, along with Jashobeam and Shammah, the other two of David’s three mighty men. While fighting for so long with such intensity against the Philistines, he “stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword” (2 Samuel 23:10). This brought about their victory!

I love the fact that Paul refers to the Word of God as a sword (Ephesians 6:17). In Eleazar’s story, even in the midst of his fatigue, it was almost as if his hand became a part of the sword to win the battle. Because of that, Eleazar went on to be the key for that victory! I pray that all of us, and with the work of our hands, will become one with the sword, the Word of God, obeying its every command, so that we too may reign victorious in the battles of our lives.

Eleazer was also among the three who broke through the Philistine lines in Bethlehem to get a drink of Bethlehem’s clear, clean water for King David when David was camped in the caves of Abdullam.

David was so moved by their efforts that he, in humility, poured out the water as a drink offering to God. He said, “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” He refused to enjoy the water while his friends risked their lives for him. David was showing true servant leadership, not desiring to use his men for his glory but to serve them for God’s glory.

A loyal, good, and competent friend is more valuable than gold! Eleazar was that kind of friend to David.

The world needs more men of valor like Eleazar who fight for one another, protect one another, and seek to honor one another and the Lord!

My prayer for you men, today is this: may the God of all hope inspire you to develop hearts of loyalty. May your valor be displayed through your willingness to stand up for those around you.

May you always be a man who chooses to stand with conviction for God’s truth over popular opinion. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen!