David, Jesus and the Men They Selected
If you are new to Bible matters, I pray this post will assist you on your journey.
When humans are in power, we think we have “GOD” authority over Spiritual matters. That is a huge mistake, assumption and presumption to make. Walking in this level of sin makes for some rather large struggles with humans selecting whom they think has a calling by GOD, versus the Spirit of GOD making the true and accurate distinction?
We humans struggle to discern calling because we look at the wrong signals, while the Spirit of GOD marks calling by entirely different measures. When you (in general) put those two side by side, the tension between soul and flesh becomes obvious.
We, the broken vessels, often elevate the wrong people; the Spirit of the LORD will elevate the unexpected. We see this in many portions of Scripture when GODchooses the younger over the older, the weak over the strong and oddly enough, the outsider over the insider. The kicker is when he promotes the overlooked over the obvious.
I recall times when some brothers have asked me, to pray about their “call” or “purpose.” I have done so and still do.
Many of you can attest to the list I slid in here. I have seen these attributes at work and at-the-ready in people who have been prepared and called by the LORD—not by men. They have been equipped in the secret place. The Spirit marks calling through that person’s own internal witness. That “witness” will resemble a deep, persistent, Spirit-led conviction. I can say with assurance, THIS is about as clear of an action I have personally experienced and still do after 35+ years of following the Holy Spirit’s leading.
In our search for support to fill roles, we can confuse gifting with calling, and we will likely assume that this gifted person MUST be called.” …on the contrary, Scripture shows us that GOD’s Gifts can be present without a calling just yet. Likewise, callings can be present before gifts appear.
EXAMPLE(s):Moses had a call long before he had confidence. Jeremiah had a calling long before he had words and Gideon had a call long before he had courage.
External confirmation seems to align automatically and usually seamless. The fruit and timing will be evident but not usually immediately clear. The LORD will often use people to help you out. How? Things about you have been evidenced by others, and GOD will send folks to you in the oddest of places and at the most interesting of times. Again, I have experienced these things. Many times, in my life I have needed a certain level or type of encouragement. …a nudge to help me to know that I was in the right spot.
The character formation of the Lord’s calling always grows in the soil of humility, obedience, and surrender. If you are a man of prayer and word and obedience, He will lead you. Be faithful where you are planted.
A true calling survives pruning, rejection, and testing and endures under pressure.
The Fruit of the Spirit will match the assignment He has you on/in. …not talent—fruit.
When people are choosing people for a certain role, it will sometimes cause a difficult strain, for them. I’ve heard it called, “The real struggle behind the struggle.” You see, when people want to control their worlds, they will select those they can control. It is a human flaw. We usually want to choose leaders/people who make them us feel “safe.” GOD chooses leaders/people who make His purposes unstoppable. Those differences and motives are strikingly different.
NOTE: That’s why the two often collide.
I imagine that would be the impetus behind what Moses said, “…I would that all the LORD’s people were prophets.” Maybe he understood the Spirit’s calling destroys human categories.
What do you see as the ‘heart’ of this issue? I will attempt to shed light on what that looks like and along the way, use the moment when the call (anointing and set apartness) of GOD took place for both David and Yeshua.
We can all understand that neither of them would likely have been selected by a man to serve GOD. If they did, the human would do his best to control David and Yeshua, so they could not outshine them, or undermine their authority or position.
Both Yeshua and David were chosen and Anointed by GOD’s representative, by the Oil of GOD’s Spirit. In the aftermath of what is detailed in Scripture, we KNOW that is true.
After David was anointed by Samuel while still a shepherd, his brothers just could not understand why. The bigger picture is… Little brother had something they did not, thus he was chosen by GOD and not by human standards — 1 Samuel 16
Here comes this fella walking along and gets into the Jordan for His own turn at tevilah or tival (immersion)—just like the others who were standing around dripping wet. What is the difference? I see at least two. (1) The dove over Him (Anointing). This is real Anointing, NOT the version man declares. The people likely understood the symbolism of the dove; and (2) the Voice of confirmation. Well, that will do it. It’s a wrap! — Yeshua was anointed by the Spirit and identified as GOD’s chosen Son—Matthew 3:16–17
NOTE: GOD’s choice of approval precedes public recognition.
David was a humble shepherd. As you may have read, he was the youngest and least regarded in his family. He was only a sheep herder.
Yeshua was born in a lowly place (Beit lechem-city of bread), laid in a watering trough of sorts, and raised in Nazareth—an insignificant town.
What was the outcome? The LORD GOD always exalts the humble. Man’s judgement and usage of another man will be often misguided and selfishly motivated.
Have you realized yet that both Yeshua and David were rejected by their own people? GOD’s anointed suffers rejection before, during and after they start moving in the direction of their appointment.
NOTE: BOTH led a community of the unwanted and castaways
Here are some other Similarities I found that both of them shared, this included exiles and foreigners among David's elite "mighty men." It carries several deep and rather impactful and symbolic significances:
Both Attracted Loyal Followers
Both Were Warrior-Kings, but in Different Ways
Both Were Shepherds of God’s People
Both Established a Kingdom
Both Attracted Loyal Followers
Both Were Covenant Figures
Both Were Kings of Jerusalem
The comparisons can go on, but I led with those because I want to build on the King as seen and erected and exemplified in David.
NOTE: One thing I will attempt to expose you to is “David as a type (foreshadowing) of Jesus.
The truth be told is, I have been wanting to study this for over a year. I’ve learned a LOT! Many of you know that David as king points forward to the Greater King. That King, as we know, identifies as Jesus (Yeshua) — the ultimate and perfect King that David was used to foreshadow.
As I pool together some interesting and cool things concerning King David, I pray that you will see the “Son of David” (Yeshua) in many of David’s ways, approaches and reign.
The initial gathering of David's men at the cave of Adullam is described as a group of those who were "in distress, in debt, or discontented" – 1 Samuel 22:1-2
This motley crew of social outcasts and exiles of David’s men of renown was transformed into an elite, loyal fighting force. This mirrors GOD's ability to take the weak and rejected of the world and use them for His mighty purposes, granting them dignity and resolution. David's welcoming of the marginalized reflected GOD's own character of mercy and compassion for those on the edges of society.
Early on David was hearing and obeying ADONAI but not trying to make anything happen in his own strength—as we do. In your Bible reading, you will notice that men were urging and prompting him to “make moves” that would secure his place in/for certain roles—namely king. David refused to do so. What he did instead was he inquired of the LORD what his will was. I really like it when he would ask, “Shall I go up?”
Like King Jesus, Davis redefined what “GOD’s anointed king” looks like. Even though David was a popular fella, He understood that GOD’s authority was not validated by popularity, power, or associations (institutions). True leadership (kingship) begins with GOD’s calling and prep, not human approval.
Men, consider these words… GOD’s man may look weak or insignificant at first, but I assure you, if the Spirit of the LORD has approved of him, that fella is legitimate from the moment GOD chooses him.
Oh man! Both of those men had loyal followers. As leaders (pre-king), they emphasized loyalty and faith over all else. There was a distinction given, but the presence of foreigners and exiles highlighted that loyalty and faithfulness to GOD and His anointed king were more important than status. David, just like Jesus had an uncanny and unheard-of amount of inclusivity and commitment from a very diversified group of men. These men demonstrated unwavering devotion to David, often risking their lives for him (like the three who fetched water from Bethlehem's well). …only to become an offering. This serves as a powerful example of the radical commitment expected of all who follow GOD—regardless of their background.
All these attributes reveal that the Merciful and Powerful GOD values shepherd-leaders, not ego-driven dictators and control minded men.David literally shepherded sheep. Yeshua shepherded and guided, kept souls and laid down His life—literally.
Reading about David and looking ahead to the letters in Red, there are numerous Books of prophets in Scripture along the way that are reminders of Israel's own diversified history and future. …and we, the nations, are a part of it all because of the two most prominent “kings” Israel has ever had led us and them.
The Biblical mandate for the Israelites to treat foreigners well was always rooted in their own history: "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you... for you were strangers in the land of Egypt"—Leviticus 19:33-34
David's actions aligned with this Command, showcasing a leader whose heart was aligned with GOD's Laws of justice and hospitality. They show that GOD’s Messiah gathers the broken, not the elite.
David’s mighty men and Yeshua’s disciples share a remarkable trait. They are ordinary, troubled, or marginalized. They are a amazingly clear typology of the body of Christ.
This tells me that the kingdom of GOD advances through transformed people, not pre-qualified ones. The king’s role is not merely to rule over the strong, but to restore the weak. THIS is a central theme to Jesus’ time with the sheeple he loved on.
I enjoy the Scriptures, and I have a believer’s perspective on this next thing. David's army served as a type or symbol of the body of Messiah, which is a multi-ethnic "community of outcasts" made up of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue who pledge allegiance to King Jesus. Believers are considered "foreigners and strangers" in this world, with their primary citizenship in Heaven, united under a single, Holy King.
Do you remember how diverse David’s fighting machine was? Now, consider the multi‑ethnic Kingdom of GOD under the Messiah. He is the Greater Son of David.
David’s men began as “outcasts”—the distressed, indebted, and discontented, who were transformed into a cohesive, faithful body— 1 Samuel 22:2
Their unity under David symbolizes the breaking down of racial and national hostilities, anticipating the reconciliation found in Christ.
I enjoy Biblically, contextually and metaphorical references found in there. The details found in Scripture are NOT just there for window dressing or page fillers.
…FOR INSTANCE: David had “mighty” men—those men are not defined by where they started, but by who they became while in covenant with GOD’s anointed king.
These men were not elite soldiers, they were social outcasts and had no political or tribal advantage, yet later during their time with David, Scripture calls them gibborim — mighty ones, and records their names and deeds in 2 Samuel 23:8–39 and 1 Chronicles 11:10–47 (if you want to dig into them a bit more).
Why were those men of dedication called gibbor? They learned to walk in their call and purpose. How? Their leader supported their growth. Below are the details of a gibbor man:
A proven warrior
One who has endured testing
One marked by courage, loyalty, and faithfulness
Often used of men who stand firm under pressure
Gibbor does not describe raw power alone — it does, however, describe character forged through adversity. David’s men are “mighty” because they remain loyal when loyalty costs them something.
In my counting, there are thirty-seven men that surrounded David. Sure, there are areas that detail 30 & 33, but if you count them all, you will see there are 37 (one is not as visible as the others, but they are all there).
Every person is important in the Kingdom of GOD. That is also the same in the rule and reign of David. Scripture names each man individually.
USUALLY, the Ancient Near Eastern kings listed warriors to glorify themselves. David’s list does something unusual, it names individuals and specifically preserves the memory of foreigners and outcasts. That very detailed list includes men who later died or were wronged—Uriah, the Hittite.
Just like Yeshua, David’s authority is relational, not exploitative. He remembers his men, not just their usefulness. This reflects the theme that GOD’s calling comes first and selection over human method.
REMINDER: This group was structured into two main classes: "The Three" (the most elite) and "The Thirty"(a larger core group, which ultimately totaled 37 men). The structure of the mighty men is Biblical, not speculative.
The Three (Chiefs): Josheb-basshebeth (also called Jashobeam or Adino the Eznite), a Tahkemonite/Hacmonite, chief of the captains. Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite.
Shammah son of Agee the Hararite.
The Thirty:The larger group of David's mighty men, known as "The Thirty," included figures like Asahel and Elhanan, among others listed in 2 Samuel 23:24-39. Joab, David's commander, is typically not counted among the 37.
This next word may be new to your Biblical vocabulary. The Hebraic meaning of these “Men” is listed as – anashim. Itdoes not simply mean adult males. The significance has much deeper and intimate meanings.
Men of standing
Men bound by relational loyalty
Men recognized for responsibility and trustworthiness
Often used for men acting in representative or covenant roles
NOTE: These fellas were not on payroll as hired fighters, they are covenant men, bound personally to David.
Who would be the men GOD uses? Let’s look at the descriptions of the men around David and the ones with Yeshua and who they were when “selected” or “called.”
David’s Mighty Men— Anashim
First gathered at the cave of Adullam
Described as distressed, indebted, and discontented—1 Samuel 22:2
Social outcasts, fugitives, and marginalized men
No political or military advantage
Begin broken → became gibborim
Mighty in strength
Mighty in loyalty
Mighty in courage
Mighty in endurance
Their greatness is forged through shared hardship
Risked their lives for David (e.g., water from Bethlehem)
Remained loyal even when David is not yet king
Loyalty is personal and costly
Yeshua’s Men — Talmidim
Fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and sinners
Untrained in rabbinic schools
Largely ignored by religious elites
Spiritually hungry but socially unimpressive
Begin fearful and confused
Fail publicly and repeatedly
Transformed after resurrection and Spirit empowerment
Become bold witnesses and shepherds
Departed their livelihoods to follow Him
Remained after others walk away
Loyalty tested at the cross—and restored after failure
David shows the pattern of godly leadership. Yeshua fills it with proper meaning, as His Father required.
David’s life establishes the god-like pattern of kingship: GOD chooses His king apart from human schemes, forms him in obscurity, surrounds him with the rejected and overlooked, and advances the kingdom through covenant loyalty rather than organized power. David’s mighty men “once distressed, indebted, and discontented” are changed through proximity to GOD’s anointed king into faithful, courageous servants. The king is revealed not merely by his authority, but by the people he forms and shepherds.
Yeshua does not abandon this pattern—He gives it proper meaning. Where David embodies the model imperfectly, Yeshua completes it perfectly. He gathers the broken, calls the unqualified, restores the fallen, and establishes an everlasting kingdom not through coercion, but through sacrificial love and obedience to the Father. What David prefigures in shadow, Yeshua brings into full light: the true Shepherd‑King whose authority is confirmed not by force, but by transformation.
Thus, David prepares us to recognize the Messiah; and Yeshua reveals what the pattern was always pointing toward.
Yeshua Makes the Pattern Full (brings to fullness with actual substance.) “Fulfillment” is not cancellation or replacement — it is completion by filling.
1. Greek thinking often views fulfillment as ending (completion)
2. Hebrew thinking views fulfillment as arrival at intended purpose (fulfillment)
Something is fulfilled when it becomes what it was always meant to be. Just as in David and the rejected men who surrounded him, Yeshua will use all nations to serve Him in the Kingdom that belongs to His Father. If you and I are to be men who trust and serve the Mighty One of Israel, we must allow the Spirit of the LORD GOD to lead us throughout our journey with Him.