Men of ability flocked to David, especially when the elders of Israel anointed him king. Who would not want to throw in with such a leader? One group included David’s mighty warriors, who gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised.

One of the mightiest was Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a leader among the most powerful warriors. Ishmaiah grew up in the town of Gibeon, in the territory of Benjamin.

Do you remember when the Gibeonites deceived Joshua? They disguised themselves as weary travelers from a far land and made a binding covenant with Israel. Cunning people, yet possessing a certain faith in the Lord as they knew with certainty God would follow through on his promises to Moses.

Joshua let the Gibeonites live, but forced them serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the alter of the Lord. Then one descendent developed into a warrior and leader of renown—Ishmaiah.

We don’t actually know if Ishmaiah descended from the Gibeonites who fooled Joshua, or just grew up in the city of their name. However, as the Gibeonites assimilated into the society around them and faithfully served the alter, nothing kept them from joining David in this time of national upheaval.

It wouldn’t surprise me to know the Lord elevated the son of servers to a leadership position in a powerful military. David was the least among his brothers, and Ishmaiah from the least of communities. In the Lord’s economy, starting out among the least doesn’t matter. It’s who you throw in with along the way that makes the difference.

I Chronicles 12 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Simone Pellegrini