Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo, the son of Ahohi. He was one of the three warriors who were with David when they defied the Philistines who were assembled there for battle. When the men of Israel retreated, he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand grew so tired that it seemed stuck to his sword. The LORD gave a great victory on that day. When the army returned to him, the only thing left to do was to plunder the corpses.
2 Samuel 23:9-10 NET
All we know of Eleazar, son of Dodo, is contained in these two verses and the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 11:12-14. He was one of David’s elite warriors. And he was stubborn.
During one of the many battles between Israel and the Philistines, Israel was on the losing side and retreated. All except for Eleazar, although the 1 Chronicles account suggests that David stood with him.
Eleazar took his stand on the battlefield and fought against overwhelming odds. He fought until his hand seemed stuck to his sword. And when he was done, he was surrounded by a pile of dead Philistines. The Israelite army returned eventually. But only to plunder the corpses. But Eleazar’s name made it into the Israelite Army Hall of Fame.
This is an interesting story. But it is much more than that. It illustrates the spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6:10-18. Our fight is not against flesh and blood Philistines. Instead, Paul describes our battle as being against the forces of evil in the spiritual realm.
And Paul challenges us to be like Eleazar and to take our stand against them. Whatever patch of ground God has given you, stand and defend it. Your patch of ground might be your family, your workplace, the church you serve, or something else. But wherever or whatever it is, take up the armor God provides, fall to your knees in prayer, and take the battle to the enemy.
Like Eleazar, you may feel like you are battling alone. And you may grow weary and even be wounded in the fight. But if you stand your ground against the enemy, you will emerge victorious.
