DAILY TEXT, Saturday, January 3, 2025. Zadok was a strong and courageous young man (1 Chronicles 12:28).

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Saturday, January 3, 2025

Zadok was a strong and courageous young man (1 Chronicles 12:28).

Imagine the following scene. A crowd of over 340,000 men has gathered to make David king over all Israel. For three days, the lively conversations of the men and their songs of praise echo through the hills near Hebron (1 Chron. 12:39). There is a young man named Zadok, who most likely does not stand out among the crowd. However, Jehovah noticed him and wanted us to know that this young man was there (1 Chron. 12:22, 26-28).

Zadok was a priest who worked closely with High Priest Abiathar. He was also a seer, that is, a person to whom Jehovah had given much wisdom and the ability to understand his will (2 Sam. 15:27). He was a very courageous man. During these last days, Satan is increasingly attacking God’s people (1 Pet. 5:8). While we wait for Jehovah to destroy Satan and his wicked system, we need to be courageous (Ps. 31:24). In that way, we can imitate Zadok’s example. w24.07 2 pars. 1-3

Why do we need courage to support the Kingdom of God?

We, as Jehovah’s servants, wholeheartedly support God’s Kingdom, but that often requires courage (Matt. 6:33). For example, in this wicked world, we need courage to obey Jehovah’s standards and to preach the good news of the Kingdom (1 Thess. 2:2). Remaining neutral is also not easy in a system that is increasingly divided (John 18:36). And many of Jehovah’s Witnesses have faced financial hardship, physical abuse, or even imprisonment for refusing to participate in political or military activities.

Why did Zadok have to be brave to support David?

Zadok didn't just go to Hebron to celebrate David's coronation. He was armed and ready for war (1 Chronicles 12:38). He was prepared to follow David into any battle and defend Israel against its enemies. He probably didn't have much experience as a warrior, but he had plenty of courage.

What example of courage did David give to Zadok? (Psalm 138:3).

How did Zadok become so courageous? Surely the fine example of other strong and courageous men around him helped him greatly. One of them was David. Because he “led Israel in its military campaigns” with such courage, all Israel agreed to make him king (1 Chron. 11:1, 2). David trusted in Jehovah and turned to him when his enemies pursued him (Ps. 28:7; read Psalm 138:3). Zadok also benefited from the fine example of other courageous men of his time, such as Jehoiada and his warrior son, Benaiah, and the 22 tribal chiefs who sided with David (1 Chron. 11:22-25; 12:26-28). All of them were determined to support David as king.

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