2 Samuel 23:17

saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — David speaks to his three mighty men immediately after they risk their lives to draw water from Bethlehem’s gate. He addresses the Lord directly at the moment of receiving the water, declaring his refusal to drink it.

The words — חָלִילָה (chālîlâ) literally means “far be it” or “by no means,” marking absolute rejection. David couples it with יְהוָה (YHWH) to anchor his refusal in reverence for the Lord’s authority over life.

The thread — The prohibition against consuming blood runs through Genesis 9:4 and Leviticus 17:10 as a divine boundary for all flesh. David’s refusal to drink the water mirrors these texts by treating the men’s blood as sacred rather than common.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human sacrifice or reckless devotion cannot be consumed as a reward. It requires readers to reject the commodification of costly obedience and instead honor the boundary between human life and divine sovereignty.

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

וַיֹּ֡אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he said חָלִילָה֩cha.li.Lahfar be itלִּ֨יl/ito <the>/ meיְהוָ֜הYah.wehO Yahweh מֵעֲשֹׂ֣תִיme./'a.So.t/ithan/ to do/ I זֹ֗אתZotthis [thing]הֲדַ֤םha./Dam¿/ [the] blood of הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ha./'a.na.Shimthe/ men הַהֹלְכִ֣יםha./ho.le.Khimwho/ went בְּנַפְשׁוֹתָ֔םbe./naf.sho.Ta/mwith/ lives/ their וְלֹ֥אve./Lo'and/ not אָבָ֖ה'a.Vahhe was willing לִשְׁתּוֹתָ֑םli/sh.to.Ta/mto/ drink/ them אֵ֣לֶּה'E.lehthese [things]עָשׂ֔וּ'a.Suthey did שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁתshe.Lo.shet[the] three הַגִּבֹּרִֽים׃ סha./gi.bo.Rimthe/ warriors

King James Version

And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

Cross-references

Leviticus 17:10 If anyone from the house of Israel or a foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from among his people.
Genesis 9:4 But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.
Genesis 44:17 But Joseph replied, “Far be it from me to do this. The man who was found with the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may return to your father in peace.”
Judges 5:18 Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.
1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
1 Samuel 26:11 But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”
2 Samuel 20:20 “Far be it!” Joab declared. “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy!
1 Kings 21:3 But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”
Psalms 72:14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.
Matthew 26:28 This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.