1 Chronicles 11:17

KJV

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that [is] at the gate!

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} longed {H183}, and said {H559}, Oh that one would give me drink {H8248} of the water {H4325} of the well {H953} of Bethlehem {H1035}, that is at the gate {H8179}!

Complete Jewish Bible

David had a craving and said, "I wish someone could give me water to drink from the well by the gate of Beit-Lechem!"

Berean Standard Bible

David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

American Standard Version

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 11:17 captures a deeply human moment of King David amidst a significant period in Israel's history. While entrenched in a stronghold, likely during conflict with the Philistines, David expresses a profound desire for water from his childhood home, Bethlehem. This seemingly simple, nostalgic longing, made perilous by the enemy occupation of Bethlehem, serves as the catalyst for an extraordinary act of selfless loyalty and daring by his mighty men, revealing the depth of their devotion and the unique bond between king and warriors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of David's ascendancy and consolidation of power. It immediately follows the account of David being anointed king over all Israel and his successful capture of Jerusalem, establishing it as his capital ([1 Chronicles 11:1-9](/1_chronicles/11 "1 Chronicles 11:1-9 - David Becomes King and Captures Jerusalem")). The preceding verse, [1 Chronicles 11:16](/1_chronicles/11-16 "1 Chronicles 11:16 - Philistine Garrison in Bethlehem"), explicitly sets the scene by noting the Philistine presence in Bethlehem, David's hometown, which directly precedes his longing. This longing then serves as the dramatic trigger for the heroic deeds of David's mighty men, detailed in [1 Chronicles 11:18-19](/1_chronicles/11 "1 Chronicles 11:18-19 - The Mighty Men's Daring Act"), making this verse the emotional core that prompts their extraordinary display of loyalty and sacrifice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's early reign was characterized by ongoing military engagements, particularly with the Philistines, who were a formidable and perennial threat to Israel's sovereignty. At this juncture, David was likely situated in a fortified stronghold, possibly Adullam, a known refuge for him. Bethlehem, David's ancestral home, was under Philistine occupation, making it enemy territory. The mention of the well "at the gate" is culturally significant; city gates were not merely entry points but central hubs for commerce, justice, and defense. For a well to be located there meant it was a vital, prominent, and highly dangerous objective under enemy control. Water was a precious and often scarce resource, especially during military campaigns, and accessing it from an occupied city's well represented a perilous undertaking.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully highlights the **humanity and vulnerability of David**, portraying him not merely as a formidable warrior-king but as a man susceptible to simple, nostalgic desires, perhaps intensified by the rigors of war and the proximity of his occupied hometown. It also underscores the **profound power of nostalgia and the emotional pull of home**, as David's longing is not for just any water, but specifically for water from the well of Bethlehem, a place deeply connected to his personal history and identity. Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **extraordinary loyalty and selfless sacrifice**, as David's seemingly casual wish immediately precedes one of the most remarkable displays of devotion by his elite warriors, as detailed in [1 Chronicles 11:18-19](/1_chronicles/11 "1 Chronicles 11:18-19 - The Courage of David's Mighty Men"). This act, also recounted in [2 Samuel 23:15-17](/2_samuel/23 "2 Samuel 23:15-17 - Parallel Account of David's Mighty Men"), serves as a testament to the deep bond and mutual respect between David and his most trusted companions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Longed (Hebrew, יָאַב, _ya'av'_):** The Hebrew verb יָאַב (_ya'av_) conveys a strong, intense yearning or craving, often bordering on desperation. It suggests a deep, emotional pull or a profound wistfulness rather than a mere physical thirst. In this context, it emphasizes the depth of David's emotional state, perhaps a momentary lapse into vulnerability or weariness amidst the pressures of leadership and war. This word choice elevates David's desire from a simple physical need to a profound, almost aching, emotional connection to his past and home.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David longed,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the king's internal state. The verb "longed" (יָאַב, _ya'av_) signifies a deep, almost aching desire, revealing a moment of profound humanity and perhaps weariness in the midst of his kingly duties and military campaigns. It portrays a powerful leader in a vulnerable, contemplative posture.
* **"and said,"**: David vocalizes his longing, making his internal desire known to those around him. While not explicitly a command, this utterance is heard by his loyal men as a heartfelt wish from their king, setting the stage for their extraordinary and spontaneous response. It highlights the intimate relationship and understanding between David and his elite warriors.
* **"Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem,"**: This is the core of David's expressed desire. The specificity of "the well of Bethlehem" is crucial. It's not merely water, but water from his childhood home, a place deeply embedded in his personal history and identity, now under enemy control. This emphasizes the nostalgic and sentimental dimension of his longing, connecting him to his roots amidst the pressures of kingship and war.
* **"that [is] at the gate!"**: This final clause underscores the extreme danger and peril involved in fulfilling David's wish. The well being "at the gate" means it was in a highly exposed and contested area, likely guarded by the Philistine garrison. This detail vividly portrays the life-threatening nature of the task and sets the dramatic stage for the immense courage and loyalty demonstrated by David's mighty men.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its depth. **Nostalgia** is central, as David's longing is not for arbitrary water but specifically for water from the well of his childhood home, Bethlehem. This evokes a profound emotional connection to his past and roots, creating a poignant contrast with his present reality as a king in a besieged stronghold. There is also an element of **Irony**; the mighty King David, who has just unified Israel and captured Jerusalem, expresses a simple, almost wistful desire for water from a well in an occupied town, highlighting his human vulnerability amidst his immense power. Furthermore, the verse serves as a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, immediately preceding and setting the stage for the extraordinary act of loyalty and sacrifice by David's mighty men, who risk their lives to fulfill their king's heartfelt, yet seemingly casual, wish. This act of devotion underscores the profound and unique bond between David and his most trusted warriors.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This poignant moment in David's life transcends a simple physical thirst, revealing the profound humanity of even the most powerful leaders and the deep emotional ties to one's origins. The subsequent selfless act of David's mighty men, spurred by this longing, elevates the narrative to a powerful demonstration of loyalty, sacrifice, and devotion that goes beyond mere duty. The water from the well, though physically satisfying, becomes a symbol of the cost of true leadership and the extraordinary lengths to which faithful followers will go for their beloved leader. This narrative invites reflection on the nature of service and the value of discerning the unspoken needs of those we lead or serve, highlighting that true devotion often involves risk and self-denial for the sake of another.

* [2 Samuel 23:15-17](/2_samuel/23-15 "2 Samuel 23:15-17 - David's Mighty Men Bring Water to Him")
* [Psalm 42:1-2](/psalms/42-1 "Psalm 42:1-2 - As a Deer Pants for Streams of Water")
* [John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's longing for water from Bethlehem's well offers a timeless mirror for our own desires and the depth of our commitment to others. It reminds us that even in positions of strength or leadership, we remain vulnerable humans with needs and emotional connections to our past. This passage challenges us to consider what we truly long for—is it fleeting comfort, or something deeper and more eternal? More profoundly, it highlights the transformative power of selfless service and loyalty. David's men didn't wait for a command; they perceived a heartfelt desire and acted with incredible courage, demonstrating a devotion that transcended obligation. This prompts us to examine the quality of our own service to God and others: are we merely fulfilling duties, or are we attuned to the deeper needs and longings, willing to go the extra mile, even at personal cost, out of genuine love and devotion? This narrative encourages us to cultivate a heart that is not only ready to serve but also sensitive to the unspoken needs of those around us, reflecting the sacrificial love exemplified by Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "wells of Bethlehem" in your life—those places, memories, or comforts that you deeply long for, and how do those longings shape your present perspective and priorities?**
* **How can we cultivate a spirit of selfless service and discerning loyalty, akin to David's mighty men, in our relationships, families, churches, and communities?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to "risk" something significant to meet a need or fulfill a longing, either for Him or for others, that goes beyond mere obligation or convenience?**

### FAQ
**Why was David's longing for water from Bethlehem so significant?**

Answer: David's longing was significant for several reasons. First, it revealed his deep humanity and vulnerability, showing that even a mighty king could experience simple, nostalgic desires. Second, Bethlehem was his hometown, making the desire for water from its well a sentimental connection to his roots and past. Third, and most crucially, Bethlehem was under Philistine occupation at the time, making access to the well extremely dangerous. This elevated his seemingly simple wish into a perilous challenge, which his mighty men courageously undertook, thereby demonstrating their extraordinary loyalty and devotion. The act itself was a profound testament to the bond between David and his warriors, as detailed in [1 Chronicles 11:18-19](/1_chronicles/11 "1 Chronicles 11:18-19 - The Mighty Men's Feat").

**Was David's longing a command or a casual wish?**

Answer: The text suggests it was a heartfelt, wistful longing rather than a direct command. The Hebrew word for "longed" (יָאַב, _ya'av_) implies a deep yearning. David "said" it, indicating he vocalized his desire, but there's no indication he ordered his men to retrieve the water. However, his mighty men perceived it as a profound wish from their king and, out of their immense loyalty and devotion, took it upon themselves to fulfill it, risking their lives in the process. This highlights the depth of their relationship and their understanding of David's heart, as seen in the parallel account in [2 Samuel 23:15-17](/2_samuel/23 "2 Samuel 23:15-17 - David's Mighty Men's Loyalty").

**What happened after David's men brought him the water?**

Answer: After his mighty men risked their lives to bring him the water, David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord, declaring, "Far be it from me, O my God, to do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?" (as recorded in [1 Chronicles 11:19](/1_chronicles/11-19 "1 Chronicles 11:19 - David Pours Out the Water")). This act demonstrated David's profound respect for the sacrifice of his men and his reverence for God, acknowledging that such a costly gift, obtained at the risk of human life, was too sacred for his own consumption and belonged only to the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly simple longing of King David for water from the well of Bethlehem, a place under enemy occupation, carries profound Christ-centered resonances. Bethlehem, the very town from which David longed for water, would centuries later become the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the ultimate [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water") who truly quenches the deepest thirsts of humanity. David's men, risking their lives to bring him physical water, foreshadow the ultimate act of self-sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus. Just as David's men faced peril at the "gate" of Bethlehem, Jesus, the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd"), willingly laid down His life, facing the ultimate enemy, death, at the "gate" of Jerusalem, to provide eternal life. David's refusal to drink the costly water, pouring it out as an offering to the Lord, points to Christ's perfect sacrifice—His "blood" (life) poured out not for His own benefit, but as a perfect, unblemished offering for the redemption of humanity, a sacrifice far greater than any earthly water, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:12](/isaiah/53-12 "Isaiah 53:12 - Christ's Sacrifice"). Jesus, the true King, did not merely long for water; He became the source of life-giving water, inviting all who are thirsty to [come to Him and drink](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus Calls the Thirsty"), offering a spiritual refreshment that transcends any physical longing and brings eternal satisfaction.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 23:15

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which [is] by the gate!

2 Samuel 23:16

And the three mighty men brake through the host 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: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.

John 4:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Isaiah 12:3

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

John 4:10

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Psalms 143:6

I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

Psalms 42:1

¶ To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.