2 Samuel 23:13-17 & 1 Chronicles 11:15-19

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

Summary

• A study in values.

Details and/or Comments

• This may be difficult to understand today (living in a different culture, influenced by a different worldview). Today, people might consider this a waste, just like many thought about the perfume that the woman poured on Jesus' feet (John 12:3-8).

• CONSIDER THIS: What would you risk your life for? Something you thought was more valuable than your life.

• Nothing in the passage suggests that either the mighty men or David were wrong in what they did, when considered along with their reasons for doing it.

Scripture

2 Samuel 23:13-17 & 1 Chronicles 11:15-19 – A study in values: Things done by the “three mighty men.”

Scripture Passage #1	Scripture Passage #2	Comments and Links
2Sa 23:13 Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.	1Ch 11:15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.	(Background information.)
2Sa 23:14 David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.	1Ch 11:16 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
2Sa 23:15 David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!	1Ch 11:17 David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!	From thirst, and perhaps memories (from his youth) of how refreshing the water was. "By" the gate - i.e., outside the gate.
2Sa 23:16 The three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: ...	1Ch 11:18 The three broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: ...	The three mighty men risked their lives to get him the water. This Illustrated the value they placed on the King.
... but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh.	... but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh,	David's awareness of the significance of this water (and its value). The actions of the three mighty men had raised the value of the water up to being equivalent to human life. David knew that quenching his thirst was not as high a value. So he gave it to one who is worthy of it. This illustrated the value David placed on God (the King of Kings). Values Hierarchy
2Sa 23:17 He said, Be it far from me, Yahweh, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it.	1Ch 11:19 and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it.	They risked their lives, indicating the value they placed on David. David considered himself not worthy of something so valuable (given that value, because of the actions of the three), so he gave the water to God. Indirectly, he also showed how much he valued the men.
These things did the three mighty men.	These things did the three mighty men.

2 Samuel

5:22-25  •  23:13-17

Scripture Passages (Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.) Genesis  •  Exodus  •  Leviticus  •  Numbers  •  Deuteronomy  •  Joshua  •  Judges  •  Ruth  •  1 Samuel  •  2 Samuel  •  1 Kings  •  2 Kings  •  1 Chronicles  •  2 Chronicles  •  Ezra  •  Nehemiah  •  Esther  •  Job  •  Psalms  •  Proverbs  •  Ecclesiastes  •  Song of Solomon  •  Isaiah  •  Jeremiah  •  Lamentations  •  Ezekiel  •  Daniel  •  Hosea  •  Joel  •  Amos  •  Obadiah  •  Jonah  •  Micah  •  Nahum  •  Habakkuk  •  Zephaniah  •  Haggai  •  Zechariah  •  Malachi Matthew  •  Mark  •  Luke  •  John  •  Acts  •  Romans  •  1 Corinthians  •  2 Corinthians  •  Galatians  •  Ephesians  •  Philippians  •  Colossians  •  1 Thessalonians  •  2 Thessalonians  •  1 Timothy  •  2 Timothy  •  Titus  •  Philemon  •  Hebrews  •  James  •  1 Peter  •  2 Peter  •  1 John  •  2 John  •  3 John  •  Jude  •  Revelation

—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.