It sounds like kids’ stuff—a fight in a pea patch. But it wasn’t just a fight in the pea patch; it was a fight over the pea patch. Still, it doesn’t sound like one of those ‘mother of all battles’ or a confrontation of epic proportions. And yet, when all was said and done, it was rated, years later, as a great victory.

We don’t know how big the pea patch was, but we know it was loaded with lentils—something like peas! The harvest would provide food for the locals living in Lehi. There was a threat, however, as there always is. The Philistines were in the area, and they had a long track record of actively opposing and fighting against the people of God, threatening them and warring against them. A rather infamous giant still talked about today was a Philistine.

Was the pea patch worth defending against the pillaging and foraging of the Philistines? The Philistines obviously thought it was worth a fight. Their troops gathered for a showdown over the pea patch.

Whether the crop of lentils was being cultivated or harvested, we don’t know. But when the pea-patch workers lifted their heads and saw the Philistines approaching, they all dropped everything and fled from the field. Well, — everybody except Shammah. He wasn’t going to give up on the pea-patch.

Out of fear, others rushed to abandon the field, but there, in the very center of the field, stood Shammah, all alone, the son of Agee. It was a remarkable sight. There he was, standing almost up to his knees in leafy lentil plants drooping with pods. With his eyes darting to the right and the left, Shammah defeated the enemy one by one. Did he swing around in the field and target what was coming from behind? 360 defense. We don’t know how long the confrontation lasted. The Bible tells us that Shammah was still vertical when it was all over, and the enemies were all horizontal.

Here is one Bible verse that sums up the battle:

But he (Shammah) took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD worked a great victory. 2Samuel 23:12

The Christian’s enemy is not concerned about unproductive fields or the wastelands of sins. Our enemy is focused on what is spiritually working and what is doctrinally sound. Our enemy is at war against high-yield fields that are producing for the Lord and have the potential for a rich harvest. Even some Christians may suggest the pea-patch isn’t worth fighting for — there are bigger hills to die on. But Shammah wasn’t ready to relinquish even one field — even if it was the pea patch.

Dear Christian, are you wondering if you should just cave into the pressure being exerted by other Christian friends, your employer, temptations in the world or even your own weaknesses and fears? Are you starting to think that what you have been standing for isn’t worth dying for? Are you thinking about fleeing the field? Will you run away from the threat and abandon the pea patch – or will you be like Shammah and humbly stand firm for the Lord in the middle of the field through thick and thin? The Lord will give you a great victory, too.

Defending the pea-patch may have seemed relatively insignificant to onlookers or those who didn’t value the field – but to King David, he placed Shammah in his Top 3 of his Top 30 Mighty Men. (2 Samuel 23)

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience or a verse that has been a blessing to you –  in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.