Taking the Stronghold of Zion
I. Revelation 3:21, “‘To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My
Father on His throne.’”
A. Hebrews 12 connects the cross with God’s disciplines.
1. Hebrews 12:5, “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise
the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens.’”
2. Jeremiah 5:12, “They have lied about the LORD, and said, ‘It is not He. Neither will evil come upon us, nor shall
we see sword or famine.’”
B. There are elements in the body of Christ today that discount or dismiss the chastening of the Lord.
C. Psalm 103:10, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins”
II. James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith
produces patience.
A. “the testing of your faith”: when Christianity isn’t working for you.
B. I’m living in a place of “disconnect.”
C. Revelation 1:9, I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit
on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet…Rev. 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and
behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
1. Tribulation: the Un-kingdom
2. It’s one thing to be “in the Spirit” (1:10), it’s another thing to be “in the Spirit” (4:2).
III. After David was crowned king of the 12 tribes, one of the first things he did was establish a 24/7 house of
prayer, 2 Samuel 6. But the very first thing he did was the taking of the stronghold of Zion, 2 Samuel 5.
IV. David’s mighty men represent believers mighty in the Spirit who do great exploits for God.
A. Josheb-Basshebeth. 2 Samuel 23:8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth
the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at
one time.
B. Eleazar: 2 Samuel 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with
David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. 10 He
arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about
a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.
C. Shammah: 2 Samuel 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had
gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines.
12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought
about a great victory.
D. Abishai: 2 Samuel 23:18 Now Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of another three. He
lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three.
E. Benaiah: 2 Samuel 23:20 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had
done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of
a pit on a snowy day. 21 And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he
went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.
V. Formative elements to becoming one of David’s mighty men.
A. Gifting
B. Training
C. Exercise
D. Battle experience
E. Anointing
VI. The mighty men distinguished themselves by accomplishing amazing feats SINGLE-HANDEDLY.
A. David staffed his war council with those who had a personal history of exploits. Men of faith.
B. One mighty man wasn’t listed.
VII. Joab led in the taking of the stronghold of Zion. 2 Samuel 5:6-9.
A. “Stronghold”: A topographical landmark whose landscape lended itself naturally toward military defense.
B. Unsuccessful attempts to take Jebus, Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:21.
C. 2 Samuel 5:6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who
spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you," thinking, "David cannot
come in here."
1. The stronghold of “the blind and the lame”
2. Divine healing is like the “final frontier.”
D. 2 Peter 3:3, “scoffers will come in the last days”
E. 2 Samuel 5:7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).
F. 2 Samuel 5:8 Now David said on that day, "Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites
(the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul), he shall be chief and captain." Therefore they say, "The blind
and the lame shall not come into the house." 9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And
David built all around from the Millo and inward.
G. v.8, “the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul”
H. Satan never releases his prisoners, Isaiah 14:17.
I. v.8, Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."
J. v.8, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites…he shall be chief and captain."
1. A holy, compelling incentive.
2. You don’t attempt the water shaft without an incentive.
VIII. My visualization of how Joab penetrated the stronghold.
A. There was no map.
B. It would have to be at night, in total silence. Darkness trains us in resilience of spirit.
C. Underground, water-filled tunnels: Holy Spirit immersion.
D. How ascend the shaft? Shimmy. Strength.
E. Joab opened the gate, Israelites pour in.
F. Joab opened the gate—from the inside.
IX. When this stronghold is taken, there will come a global establishing of the Tabernacle of David in the stronghold of Zion.
“Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound”