‹ Back

2 Samuel 23:13-17 "And three of the thirty chief men went down, and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam, when a band of Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. And David said longingly, “O that some one would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate!” Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it; he poured it out to the Lord, and said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men."

 

Obviously, this is more than just a verse or two. I wanted to include the whole story because there is a lot there, and it is speaking to me in a particular way today. This is the chapter of the Second Book of Samuel in which the mighty men are introduced, most often by name and deed, but here we just have three unnamed men. These men hear David ask longingly for water from the well of Bethlehem and they go get it for him, breaking through the Philistine camp in Bethlehem to do so. But David doesn't drink the water they bring him, he pours it out as an offering to the Lord saying he should not "drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives" to get it.

 

At first, this seemed kind of a strange story to me. One would think that David would at least suspect that if he longingly asked for water from Bethlehem his very loyal mighty men would try to get it for him. But he is apparently surprised and taken aback that they did so. I think the point is to show how David came to understand and appreciate the loyalty of his mighty men. At this point, it seems he did not know well enough that they would lovingly act on his every word. It was only when presented with the water he had longed for, realizing that these men risked their lives for his whim, that David became aware of how much they loved him and would do for him. Then he felt he had unwittingly sent them on a mission that unnecessarily risked their lives.

 

One might still think, though, that David would drink the water as an expression of gratitude for what his men did. But instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. How much better is that?! He is giving the love and honor these men showed him to the Lord, while also recognizing that he has to be more aware and respectful of their love and loyalty, and showing them both the value of their efforts (which became an offering to the Lord), and that they should wait for his direction before acting in the future.

 

David may not have been wise in speaking his longing aloud, but he finds the perfect way to handle the consequences. He atones, learns, and teaches all at once by offering the water to the Lord. This is a lesson to me to appreciate the love and loyalty of others as the gifts from God they are, and not to inadvertently misuse them for my own wants and desires. Instead, I should offer them back to the Lord and let Him guide all of us on how to properly express our love and loyalty to each other.