Shadow Knight Defense
The Vision Of Shadow Knight
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
– Psalms 23:4 (kjv)
The Psalms were written by one of the greatest men to have ever lived, King David, the second King of ancient Israel, and the Father of King Solomon. David was many things, from a lowly shepherd boy to a giant slayer, a mighty Warrior skilled in unconventional warfare, to a musician and a King.
The Psalms were his contributions to the Scriptures, a book of songs and poems, an unfiltered outpouring from the depths of his mind and soul. From glorious adorations of God to the torment and anguish of his tired soul, the Psalms are the unfiltered story of David’s life. The only man having been called by God to be a man after God’s own heart.
The verse above, Psalms 23:4, speculated to have been written during David’s reign as King, (circa 1000 BCE), although speaking of God, harks back to his days as a young man and a shepherd. Like most shepherds of the era, David carried a rod and staff, common tools of the trade. These tools were more than for flock guidance, rather, the rod was used extensively as an weapon against any adversarial force. Such antagonistic forces oft included lions, bears, and other beasts of the field. A rod was a simple tool that a skilled shepherd could wield in skilled violence against almost any persistent threat.
"And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him."
– 1 Samuel 17:34-35
As referenced in 1 Samuel above, David was accustomed to utilizing his rod in defense of his flock. Although Psalm 23 speaks of God, with the rod and staff being used in a more figurative or representational manner, it was an intentional analogy harking back to David’s experience. David speaks of Christ as being like his shepherd who would watch over him, guiding him and protecting him from the evil ever presently encamped about him. Just as he himself found comfort in his physical weapons as a shepherd, he could trust that God would be his shepherd and keep him protected from the darkness around him.
Just as in David’s day, everyone must walk through their own valley of the shadow of death. Evil persists, and the comfort and protection from what lurks in the shadows does not come from running, or hiding, but in carrying the proper tools to successfully combat the evil when it reveals itself.
The Templar
The Knights Templar were formed on the heels of the first Crusade (circa 1100). They were an independent military organization made up of devout men who felt called by Christ to protect and defend the weak and religious pilgrims of the Holy Land from all threats both foreign and domestic. Dedicated to their deep religious convictions, these men lived with a vigor for righteous justice rivaled by few. Respected for their upright lifestyles, selfless acts as protectors, and lack of fear of death, the Knights Templar became renown throughout the medieval era as quite the formidable force demanding respect from all. To this day, the Knights Templar remain among history’s greatest small military forces, deeming them worthy of being referred to as warriors at the “tip of the spear.”
In their day, the Knights Templar would watch over those traveling to and from the Holy Land, waging unconventional warfare in small numbers against everyone from lowly thieves to foreign armies. Much of their strength was found in their strong brotherhood, devotion to Christ, and mental fortitude, making them terrifying adversaries as death was not feared, and surrender was not an option.
The Knights Templar were men who did not just walk through, but charged into the valley of the shadow of death, as in the Psalms, to serve as that shepherd’s rod of protection and comfort for those who suffered through the darkness. The shadows in the valley of death are where the Knights Templar found their home, seeking out and decimating the evil that lurked therein.
With inspiration taken from King David’s Psalms, and the righteous quest of the Knights Templar, the Name Shadow Knight Defense was born. The mission of this company is to provide discreet low viz defensive tools, like those utilized by King David, for the modern-day knights who work in the Shadows. Unfortunately, the most advantageous weapons for combating evil and injustice are not always accessible in today’s cultural/political climate, thus, alternative tools are required. While perhaps not the first line of defense, our tools are designed to be the backstop. Tools that will provide the upper hand in a dangerous situation where confrontation is inevitable.
All will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, some must live there. Deliverance from the death and fear that abide in the valley only come through acknowledgement of Truth, Training, and being equipped with the right tools to resist.