Your family and its history have a lot to do with who you become. Even though God creates each one of us as an individual with unique characteristics, the influence of our family ultimately determines what the final outcome will be when it comes to who we are and what we do in our lives.

“And Ram begat Amminadab; and Aminnadab begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah” (1 Chronicles 2:10). The name Nahshon or Nachshôwn (Nakh – shone´) in Hebrew means enchanter (5177). Nachshon is derived from nâchash (naw – khash´) which means “to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell” (5172). “And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse” (1 Chronicles 2:11-12) the father of David.

David had seven brothers and at least two sisters. His sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail had four sons, Abishai, Joab, Asahel, and Amasa who were among David’s mighty men, Joab being commander of David’s army after he became king. These men were not born into a good family. They did not have the advantage of money and education. They were shepherds.

It says in 1 Samuel 22:1-2:

David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him.

David changed the course of his family’s history when he became king of Israel. During the years that he was hunted by Saul, David and his family were transformed. They did not become a family of royalty, living in the lap of luxury, they were warriors, adept at traveling the countryside unnoticed until they decided to engage in warfare. They frustrated their enemies and were feared by all who came in contact with them.

David’s mighty men were the best of the best because of their courage and willingness to risk their lives for David’s cause. It’s no wonder they were extremely successful because they had nothing to lose and everything to gain if David became king. I believe the reason David did not give up when he was discouraged was he did not want to disappoint the men who had stood by him and protected him against Saul’s army.