David longed for water and
said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the
gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three broke through
the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and
carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out
to the Lord. “God forbid
that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who
went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it
back, David would not drink it. 1 Chronicles 11:17-19
David did
not give the men a command. He merely
stated a longing out loud, not expecting it to be fulfilled. David had a humble heart and to think someone
would die just so he could get a drink of water, hurt him.
By pouring
out the water he taught the men the difference between being a mighty warrior
and a soldier of God. While it may have
offended the men who risked their lives, it taught them a greater lesson. They were to follow David’s commands, but
God’s.