Thank God for the Abishais

Second Samuel 21:17

Scripture Reference

Second Samuel 21:15-22 (selected verses)

15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.

16 And Ishbi‑benob, which was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shekels of brass in weight, who was girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.

17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him.

18 Then there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: and Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear’s staff was like a weaver’s beam.

20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

21 But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, slew him.

Introduction

Title: “Thank God for the Abishais”

Dr. Terry LeQuieu preached from Second Samuel chapter 21 on the importance of faithful, available men and women who stand with their leaders and brothers in times of spiritual battle. The passage shows David — the giant killer and anointed king — growing weary in battle, and how his loyal fighters, especially Abishai, saw the need, stepped in, and rescued him. This sermon isn’t merely history; it’s a mirror for our local churches and our personal spiritual lives. The message points to four practical character traits we must cultivate so that when God places someone in need before us, we will be ready to act.

Christmas theme message next week. I’m going to help you with something this morning.

Quote from Preacher

This opening line from Dr. Terry LeQuieu invites attention: he will help the congregation see spiritual truth and practical application from the life of Abishai — one of David’s mighty men who was faithful when David grew faint.

Outline

Availability — Abishai Volunteered
1. Scriptural basis: 1 Samuel 26:6–8 — Abishai immediately answers David’s call: “I will go down with thee.”
2. Explanation: Availability is a spiritual ability. Being available means saying “Here am I” when God or a brother calls. Availability is a gift many refuse because of busyness, distractions, or false humility.
3. Practical note: The church needs people who will show up and be dependable. Availability is one of the greatest abilities you can have (Proverbs reminders: “A faithful man who can find?”).
Awareness — Abishai Observed David’s Need
1. Scriptural basis: 2 Samuel 21:15 — “David waxed faint.”
2. Explanation: Awareness means paying attention. Abishai was close enough to notice David’s exhaustion and to act. Christians are commanded to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to know those who labor among them (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13).
3. Practical note: Awareness grows out of relationship. If you do not know people in your church, you will miss their needs. Seek the Spirit’s prompting to call, visit, or minister when someone is hiding a burden.
Allegiance — Abishai Was Loyal to the Anointing
1. Scriptural basis: 1 Samuel 26 and 2 Samuel 21:17–22 — Abishai had previously risked treason by volunteering to go after Saul, yet he honored God’s timing and David’s position.
2. Explanation: True allegiance honors God’s appointment more than personal preference. Abishai followed David because David was anointed, not because he was perfect. Loyalty is choosing to stand with God’s appointed leaders even when things are messy.
3. Practical note: Character is formed by finishing what you start and standing when the going gets hard. Loyal Christians are rare because many are “bandwagon” followers; the faithful endure.
Assistance — Abishai Stepped In Without Being Asked
1. Scriptural basis: 2 Samuel 21:17 — “Abishai… succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him.”
2. Explanation: Abishai didn’t wait for David’s request; he saw the need and acted. The verb succored means to relieve, rescue, or draw the enemy’s attention away. Sometimes rescue is practical, sometimes it’s spiritual encouragement or prayer.
3. Practical note: Pride prevents many from helping. Don’t wait until you are asked. A need seen is a need met. Take initiative to serve without seeking credit.
Training — David’s Teaching Produced Mighty Men
1. Scriptural basis: Multiple references — David’s earlier life (1 Samuel 17) trained him and his followers to fight giants; later his men finished the work he could not in his old age.
2. Explanation: Mighty men were made under the Giant Killer. Spiritual victory is often reproduced through discipleship. David’s example and training enabled his men to fight giants when he could not.
3. Practical note: Invest in discipleship. Teach sound doctrine, model godly behavior, and develop people who can stand when seasons of weakness come.
Application Principle — Giants Return If Left Unconfronted
1. Scriptural basis: The five stones idea from 1 Samuel 17 and the later battles in 2 Samuel 21.
2. Explanation: David killed one giant in his youth but left four. Those spiritual failures or deferred battles returned later. The message draws practical parallels: depression (Goliath), laziness/procrastination (Ishbi‑benob), doubt/unbelief (Saph), valuing opinion over God’s Word (Lahmi), and greed/lust (unnamed giant with six fingers/toes).
3. Practical note: Confront spiritual giants early: habit patterns, sin, or unbelief will compound if neglected. Help one another — some battles require the faithful Abishai beside you.

Summary

The Scripture shows that even the greatest servants of God can grow weary and need help. David was God’s chosen and yet he became faint in battle. God provided Abishai and David’s mighty men — faithful, available, aware, and willing to assist. The lesson is not to idolize a single leader, but to cultivate a body of Christ that will stand together: available to serve, aware of needs, loyal to God’s anointing, willing to help without being asked, and committed to training others. If we follow this pattern, our churches will not only survive difficulty, they will flourish, and we will not allow unaddressed giants to return and destroy us.

What we need today is we need some Abishais.

Quote to Ponder

This succinct closing line from Dr. Terry LeQuieu is a direct challenge: the church needs people who will be Abishais — those who are willing to notice needs and step into the breach on behalf of others.

Application for the Week

Move from sermon to practice with these concrete steps. Purposefully work to become an Abishai in your church, family, and community this week.

Be Available — Say “Yes” When God Calls
1. Identify one church ministry need this week (children’s ministry, parking lot help, nursing-home visitation, sound team, kitchen prep).
2. Contact the ministry leader and volunteer for a specific time slot. If you are not sure what to do, ask: “Where can I help this Thursday or Sunday?”
Be Aware — Reconnect and Look for Needs
1. Make three pastoral-care contacts this week: call or text three church members you haven’t checked on recently and say, “I’m praying for you today.”
2. Attend one small group or fellowship gathering and simply listen for burdens — don’t fix everything, but notice and bring needs to prayer.
Show Allegiance — Honor God’s Appointed Leaders
1. Pray for your pastor and church leadership each morning this week for five minutes. Write one short note of encouragement or gratitude and deliver it or email it.
2. Obey instructions from leadership willingly where Scripture aligns; practice respectful speech (yes sir, no ma’am, grateful attitude).
Offer Assistance — Act Without Waiting to Be Asked
1. Look for one tangible need (cleaning up, childcare for a young mom after service, mowing a yard for an elderly member) and meet it.
2. If you see a quiet need (loneliness, doubt, financial stress), ask permission to pray with them and offer a practical next step (connect to benevolence, counseling, or a trusted leader).
Invest in Training — Reproduce Mighty Men and Women
1. Assign one hour this week to disciple someone younger in the faith: read a short passage (Psalms or Gospel) and talk about how to apply it.
2. Encourage them to list “giants” they face (fear, laziness, doubt, pride, greed) and pray for a plan to confront one of them now.

Short Prayer to Use: “Lord, make me an Abishai — available, aware, loyal, and willing to assist. Use me to protect and refresh others for Your glory. Amen.”