✝️ David’s Mighty Men: A Brotherhood That Changed History

`Good morning, my brothers! As I write this to you, MTM is reaching 23,996 active subscribers weekly! I had no idea this ministry would grow so much so fast and I am overwhelmed by the expressions of gratitude and encouragement I receive daily. We are clearly on to something here but, to keep growing and reaching more guys, I need your help. Allow me to explain below by sharing one of my favorite Old Testament stories. Let’s go!

This week’s manly topics (6-min read):

🤝 FRATERNITY We look at a story about a group of less-than-ordinary guys who joined forces to become an exceptionally formidable force … a force that helped make a Israel’s “Most Wanted” into it’s legendary king.
📰  NEWS What does sauerkraut and grip strength have in common? Aside from glass jars with welded-tight lids, we explore the benefits of both below.
🎁 REQUEST Will you prayerfully consider becoming a MTM Mighty man? This is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor of God’s movement in and through the men of our generation.

FRATERNITY
David’s Mighty Men: A Brotherhood That Changed History

Before David became the legendary king of Israel, he was a hunted man. Fleeing for his life from King Saul, he found himself huddled in the cave of Adullam, alone and uncertain of his future. But something remarkable happened in that desperate moment—something that would not only change David's fortunes but alter the course of Israel’s history. Scripture tells us:

Think about that for a moment. The future king of Israel didn’t build his inner circle from the elite of society. His mighty men—the warriors who would help him establish his kingdom—began as society’s castoffs: men in distress, in debt, and discontented with life.

From Outcasts to Legends

These weren’t men of privilege or pedigree. They were rough around the edges, carrying the weight of failure and disappointment. But under David’s leadership, these broken men transformed into the most formidable fighting force of their time.

The Bible dedicates entire passages to their exploits:

• Josheb-Basshebeth, who killed eight hundred men in a single battle

• Eleazar, who fought so fiercely that his hand froze to his sword

• Benaiah, who went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion

But perhaps the most telling story about these men comes from when David was hiding in a cave, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David casually mentioned his thirst: “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” (2 Samuel 23:15)

It wasn’t an order. Just a wistful comment. Yet three of his mighty men immediately broke through enemy lines, risked their lives, and returned with water from that well.

When they presented it to David, he was so moved by their loyalty that he couldn’t drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to God, saying: “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this! Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” (2 Samuel 23:17)

Transformed by Trouble, Welded by War

What transformed these troubled men into mighty warriors? The answer lies in three crucial elements:

1. Shared purpose: These men rallied around David not just because of who he was, but because of who they could become through him. They believed in David's God-given destiny to lead Israel.

2. Shoulder-to-shoulder challenge: They didn’t just talk about brotherhood; they fought together, bled together, and conquered together. Their bond was forged in the crucible of shared hardship.

3. Leadership that inspired greatness: David saw potential in men others had written off. He called them to a higher standard and helped them see themselves as God saw them.

The result was a band of brothers whose influence extended far beyond their own lives. These men helped establish David’s kingdom—a kingdom that became the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

Becoming Today’s Mighty Men

The story of David’s mighty men offers us a powerful blueprint for masculine friendship and impact today. When men unite around purpose, challenge each other to greatness, and commit to a cause bigger than themselves, they become unstoppable.

That’s what we’re building here at More The Man—a modern brotherhood of men committed to becoming the men God has called us to be.

Like David’s mighty men, each of us has faced our own battles: financial struggles, broken relationships, moral failures and, most egregious, faithlessness. But God specializes in transforming the miserable into the mighty, the busted into the bold.

Will You Help Build the MTM Brotherhood?

Just as David’s vision required mighty men to bring it to reality, our mission at MTM needs supporters—men willing to invest not just their hearts but also their resources to expand this movement.

When I started More The Man, I didn't set out to build another men’s ministry. I envisioned a brotherhood that challenges men to rise above “modern” mediocrity and embrace their God-given purpose. In just seven months, we've grown from zero to nearly 25,000 men receiving regular encouragement and practical wisdom.

I’ve financed everything to get us to this point but I can’t keep shouldering the burden alone. That’s why I am asking for your help in this our 28th issue.

To reach more men—to truly build an army of David-like leaders who will impact families, workplaces, and communities—we need your support. We need our own mighty men who will say, “We are yours! We are with you!”

Your monthly gift isn’t just a donation; it’s an investment in transforming men’s lives. All donations are tax-deductible through Encouraged Life, our 501(c)3 organization:

• $10/month or $100/year: Fuels encouragement for as many as 200 men—less than the cost of a sandwich. Includes a welcome shoutout.

• $25/month or $200/year: Builds this community, impacting 400 men. Give $200 upfront for an MTM-branded journal to capture your prayers and reflections. You'll also receive a newsletter shoutout and spot on our donor page.

• $50/month or $500/year: Shapes a legacy for 1,000 men. Choose $500 upfront for the journal journal, a shout-out on the MTM X profile, newsletter recognition, and donor page listing.

Annual gifts lock in your commitment and the journal. Monthly giving keeps it flexible. Either way, you’ll be recognized on our donor page with gratitude. Visit the “Donate” page for the details.

Every Man Has a Role to Play

Remember that in David’s army, men contributed in different ways. Some fought on the front lines, while others managed supplies, crafted weapons, or provided strategic counsel. Each role was vital to the mission.

The same is true at MTM. If your financial situation doesn’t allow for monetary support right now, know that we value you tremendously. Sharing this newsletter with others, applying these principles in your own life, and being an active part of this brotherhood are powerful ways to advance our mission. Your growth as a man directly contributes to our collective impact.

THIS JUST IN
📣 NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB 📣 

Training
“For physical training is of some value …” 1 Timothy 4:8

• There are few expressions of strength as useful (and memorable) as grip strength. Grip strength is not only useful if you're Tom Cruise and prone to hanging off the edge of buildings or airplane landing gear on a regular basis. Grip strength is the measure of a man (just ask that lid your wife is going to ask you to open.) Loss of grip strength is often associated with aging but it's really more a symptom of a dangerously sedentary lifestyle. A 2018 study in The Lancet followed 140,000 adults (35 to 70) and found that every 11-pound drop in grip strength raised fall risk by 16% and mortality by 17%. For men 50 to 75, grip training builds strength and flexibility while protecting your capability to deal with the most recalcitrant of lids. Get yourself a grip strengthener and knock out two to three sets of ten squeezes every other day … and then daily.

Nutrition
“… your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit ...” 1 Corinthians 6:19

• While sour Krauts (grumpy Germans) are best avoided, sauerkraut (and similar fermented foods) has a credible claim to superfood status. Fermented foods have been shown to improve digestion (probably while sauerkraut is necessary when eating vast quantities of pastrami and rye bread), boosts the immune system, helps with weight loss and even relieves anxiety and depression (though looking at a plate of sauerkraut has been known to make children depressed.) A 2021 Stanford study found that ten weeks of daily servings of fermented foods cut inflammation by 10% and boosted gut health. Aim for one tablespoon of any one of these daily—kefir in coffee, sauerkraut on a sandwich. No access? A tablespoon of plain yogurt with live cultures works, too. Courtesy Healthline Media

Style
“… whatever you do, do it all for God’s glory.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

• Here’s a fancy name for a simple idea: enclothed cognition. Enclothed cognition is the idea that the way you dress affects how you think about yourself. In one study,  researchers demonstrated that people performed better on attention tasks when wearing lab coats described as “doctor's coats” versus identical coats described as “painter's coats.” In another, participants rated themselves higher on traits like intelligence and competence when standing in front of a mirror wearing formal clothing. Recall how God instructed Moses about the priestly garments he and his supernatural-gifted tailors were to make. Think about how Aaron’s perception of himself transformed as he was clothed in preparation to enter God’s presence in the Tabernacle. The MTM take-away: Leverage this aspect of how God designed the way you think as you consider 1) that you are Heaven’s ambassador and 2) what you wear each day.