Courage for a Snowy Day
Wednesday January 8, 2025
Rev. Dr. Kevin W. Cosby
2 Samuel 23:20-22 (RSV)
20 And Benai′ah the son of Jehoi′ada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds; he smote two ariels* of Moab. He also went down and slew a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 21 And he slew an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but Benai′ah went down to him with a staff, and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear. 22 These things did Benai′ah the son of Jehoi′ada, and won a name beside the three mighty men.
RSV Translators footnote verse 20: “ariels:” meaning uncertain
1 Chronicles 11:22 (RSV) And Benai′ah the son of Jehoi′ada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds; he smote two ariels of Moab. He also went down and slew a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.
Oxford English Dictionary definition of “valiant:” Of an action, deed, etc.: characterized by or showing bravery, courage, or boldness. Now especially of an effort, attempt, etc.: showing bravery or determination, especially in the face of difficulty or likely failure.
I.
Benaiah is called a “doer of great deeds”
•
Not ordinary deeds
•
Not easy deeds
II.
Benaiah’s first mentioned achievement is smiting two Moabite ariels
The translators of the Revised Standard Version would not even guess what an “ariel” was…
And Benaiah smacked two of them!
III.
Benaiah faced:
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The fiercest enemy A lion
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At the worst place In a pit
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Under the worst conditions On a snowy day
IV.
Benaiah means the LORD builds
Jehoiada means the LORD know
