Bible Strands
2 Samuel 23:16
So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David’s three mighty men act during his reign while Bethlehem remains under Philistine control. They breach the enemy camp to retrieve water from a local well and return it to David.
The words — The verb וַיִּבְקְעוּ (vayivke'u) literally means “they broke through,” describing the warriors’ violent penetration of the Philistine camp. The word שָׁלֹשׁ (shloshet) identifies the exact number of men who executed the feat.
The thread — The act of pouring a liquid to the LORD echoes Jacob’s pillar offering in Genesis 35:14 and the daily drink offerings prescribed in Numbers 28:7. This physical gesture later frames the New Testament principle that Christ’s love compels sacrificial action in 2 Corinthians 5:14.
Why it lands — The text records David’s refusal to drink the water and his declaration that it represents the blood of men who risked their lives. It demands that a reader recognize the weight of sacrifice and direct reverence toward God rather than personal desire.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth–lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.
Cross-references
- Genesis 35:14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with him—a stone marker—and he poured out a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
- Numbers 28:7 The drink offering accompanying each lamb shall be a quarter hin. Pour out the offering of fermented drink to the LORD in the sanctuary area.
- 1 Samuel 7:6 When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.
- Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street.
- Romans 5:7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
- Philippians 2:17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
- 1 Samuel 19:5 He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”
- 2 Samuel 23:9 Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated,
- Acts 20:24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.