2 Samuel 23:15-17
“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 mighty men 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 before the LORD. “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.”
The best of men are liable to err; but in this they differ widely from the ungodly, that they are glad, as soon as they find out their error, to have it rectified.
David inconsiderately expressed a wish for some water out of the well of Bethlehem; but when he saw what his inconsiderateness had occasioned, and especially what might have arisen from it, he was grieved at himself for what he had done, and rejected with abhorrence the gratification which he had before desired.
This anecdote respecting him may appear unworthy of a distinct consideration; but it is in reality very instructive. Let us consider,
I. David’s wish.
To view it aright, we must notice:
1. David’s wish, as foolishly indulged.
That water was not necessary to him; for his army was not at all reduced to straits for lack of water; and by the circumstance of its being in the possession of his enemies, it was unattainable, unless his enemies should be first subdued. To wish for it therefore merely to gratify his appetite, was foolish; and to express that wish to others was wrong.
In David we see a picture of human nature in general. All are wishing for something which they do not possess, though it is neither necessary to their welfare, nor easy to be attained. “You desire and have not,” is the account given of men by the voice of inspiration, James 4:2; and it characterizes all from early childhood, until age or infirmity has cured the disease. This tendency of our minds is decidedly sinful, inasmuch as it argues discontent with the lot assigned to us by Providence, and too high an estimation of the things of time and sense, Numbers 11:4-5. God, and heavenly things, may be desired with the utmost intenseness of our souls, Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 63:1; but earthly things, whatever they may be, are no further to be desired than as God may be enjoyed in them, or glorified by them, Psalm 73:25; and, as David in this wish had respect to nothing but mere personal gratification, he so far acted in a way unworthy of his high character.
2. David’s wish, as rashly desired.
Three of his most distinguished warriors determined, if possible, to gratify his desire; and, of their own accord, without any order from David, cut their way through the Philistine army, drew the water, and brought it to him. This was rash and presumptuous in the extreme. Had they been moved to it by God, as David was to go against Goliath with a sling and a stone, or as Jonathan was to climb up a rock, and, unsupported by anyone but his armor-bearer, to attack a Philistine garrison, they would have acted right; because in executing the divine will they might expect the divine protection; but to go on such an errand without any command either from God or man, was to expose themselves unnecessarily to the utmost peril, and in reality to tempt God.
Doubtless a contempt of danger is a great virtue in a soldier; but it may be unduly exercised; and we are persuaded that, before men put their lives in jeopardy, they should inquire whether the occasion is sufficiently important to demand it, or, at least, whether they are called to it in the way of duty.
3. David’s wish, as piously suppressed.
When the water was brought to him, he refused to drink of it; and, with a mixture of shame and gratitude, poured it out as a drink-offering unto the Lord. To him it appeared, that the drinking of it would be like drinking the blood of his most faithful servants; and therefore, as much as he had desired it before, he would on no account gratify his appetite at such an expense. This argued true love to those who had served him at so great a risk, and genuine piety towards God—whose merciful kindness he thus gratefully acknowledged.
But how little of such self-denial is there in the world! How few, when a desired gratification is within their reach, will abstain from the indulgence of it, from the consideration of the evils which may accrue to the object that administers to their delight! If however we condemn David for cherishing such a wish, we cannot but applaud the forbearance he exercised in reference to it, when it was obtained.
Let us now contemplate,
II. The lessons to be learned from it.
1. How strong a principle is love!
Love dictated the measure which these soldiers took; while therefore we disapprove the act, we must admire the principle from which it proceeded. Love is a principle “strong as death;” nor can “many waters quench it.” Love is a principle also by which, not soldiers only, but people in every situation and relation of life should be actuated; and how happy would it be for the world, if it operated universally in its full extent! How happy if, in our social and domestic circles, the only contest was, who should show most love, and exert himself in the most self-denying way for the good of others! This is the spirit which God himself approves, Hebrews 10:24. May the Lord grant it may increase and abound among us more and more 1 Thessalonians 3:12.
2. How should we delight to exercise love towards our Lord Jesus Christ in particular!
He is “the Captain of our salvation,” and “of all the hosts of Israel;” and he has opened to us access to the waters of life, “of which whoever drinks shall never thirst! John 4:10; John 4:13-14.” Moreover, to effect this, he has not merely jeopardized his life, but actually laid down his life! Knowing assuredly all the sufferings he must endure in order to procure these blessings for us, he voluntarily undertook our cause, and never drew back, until he could say, “It is finished!”
Is He not then worthy to be loved by us? Yes, should there be any bounds to our love to him? Should we not be “willing to be bound, or even to die, for his sake?” Surely, whatever dangers we may be encompassed with, we should say, “None of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear unto me,” so that I may but fulfill his will, and promote his glory!
3. With what grief and indignation should we mortify every sinful desire!
When once we see what sin has done, we shall see what it merits at our hands. It was to counteract the effects of sin, that Jesus shed his blood. Shall we then indulge sin of any kind? However gratifying it may be to our feelings, should we not say, like David in our text, “Is not this the blood of God’s only dear Son, even of my best Friend, who laid down his life for me? I will not drink it! I will sacrifice my every lust unto the Lord.”
Ah, brethren! look at sin in this view; and if it is dear to you as a right eye, or apparently as necessary as a right hand, do not hesitate one moment to cast it from you with abhorrence; humbling yourselves for having ever conceived a desire after it, and adoring your God that it has not long ago involved you in everlasting death and misery!
Charles Simeon