1 Chronicles 11:18

KJV

And the three 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: but David would not drink [of] it, but poured it out to the LORD,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the three {H7969} brake through {H1234} the host {H4264} of the Philistines {H6430}, and drew {H7579} water {H4325} out of the well {H953} of Bethlehem {H1035}, that was by the gate {H8179}, and took {H5375} it, and brought {H935} it to David {H1732}: but David {H1732} would {H14} not drink {H8354} of it, but poured it out {H5258} to the LORD {H3068},

Complete Jewish Bible

The three broke through the army of the P'lishtim, drew water from the well by the gate of Beit-Lechem, took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it; instead, he poured it out to ADONAI

Berean Standard Bible

So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,

American Standard Version

And the three 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: but David would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto Jehovah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 11:18 narrates a poignant episode demonstrating extraordinary devotion and David's profound spiritual response. When David, from his stronghold, expressed a wistful desire for water from his hometown well in Bethlehem, then occupied by Philistines, three of his elite warriors risked their lives to retrieve it. Recognizing the immense cost—the potential "blood" of his men—David refused to drink the water, instead pouring it out as a sacred offering to the LORD, transforming a costly personal gift into an act of ultimate worship and consecration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within [1 Chronicles 11](/1_chronicles/11 "1 Chronicles 11 - David's Mighty Men"), a chapter primarily dedicated to listing David's most valiant warriors and their heroic deeds, immediately following the account of David being made king over all Israel. The Chronicler's purpose in detailing these "mighty men" is to underscore the divine favor on David's reign, the loyalty he inspired, and the providential hand of God in establishing his kingdom. This specific incident, also recounted in [2 Samuel 23:13-17](/2_samuel/23-13 "2 Samuel 23:13-17 - David's Mighty Men and the Bethlehem Well"), serves as a powerful illustration of the character of David's leadership and the profound devotion of his followers, setting a moral and spiritual tone for the subsequent narratives of his kingship and the preparations for the temple.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described take place early in David's reign, likely when he was based in a stronghold like Adullam or the cave of Adullam, while the Philistines maintained a strong military presence, even garrisoning Bethlehem, David's ancestral home. This period was characterized by ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines, making any foray into enemy-held territory exceptionally perilous. Water, in the arid climate of ancient Israel, was a precious commodity, often requiring significant effort to obtain, and a specific well could hold deep sentimental value, especially for someone longing for home. Culturally, the act of pouring out a liquid as an offering (a libation or drink offering) was a recognized form of worship in the ancient Near East, including Israel, signifying dedication, gratitude, or propitiation to a deity, as seen in various Old Testament contexts like [Exodus 29:40](/exodus/29-40 "Exodus 29:40 - The Daily Burnt Offering and Drink Offering").

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of 1 Chronicles 11:18 highlights several profound themes. Firstly, it showcases **extraordinary loyalty and selfless devotion**, as the three warriors demonstrate a willingness to risk their lives for their leader's mere wistful desire, transcending the call of duty. Secondly, it illuminates **David's profound reverence and sacrificial leadership**, as he recognizes the sacredness of the lives risked for his comfort, valuing their "blood" above his own craving. This act underscores David's spiritual sensitivity and his understanding of the immense cost of human life, a theme echoed in biblical law regarding the sanctity of life (e.g., [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Sanctity of Blood")). Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates **consecration and true worship**, as David transforms a personal gift, obtained at great hazard, into a sacred offering to the LORD, acknowledging God as the ultimate recipient of such a costly sacrifice and demonstrating that genuine worship often involves the surrender of what is most precious.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Brake through (Hebrew, _pāratz'_):** This verb signifies a violent, forceful, or bursting forth action, often implying breaking through a barrier or enemy lines. It emphasizes the sheer determination, courage, and the perilous nature of the warriors' mission. They didn't merely slip past; they "burst through" the Philistine host, highlighting the extreme danger and the extraordinary effort involved in their act of devotion.
* **Poured it out (Hebrew, _nāsakh'_):** This term specifically refers to the act of pouring out a liquid, often in the context of a libation or drink offering. It transforms the physical act into a ritualistic, sacred gesture. David's action is not merely discarding the water but performing a solemn act of dedication, acknowledging that such a costly gift, representing the potential "blood" of his men, was too sacred for personal consumption and could only be appropriately offered to the LORD Himself.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** The use of the covenant name of God, YHWH, emphasizes that David's offering was directed to the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It underscores the theological depth of David's action, elevating it beyond a mere superstitious gesture to a profound act of worship and recognition of divine authority and holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the three brake through the host of the Philistines":** This clause immediately establishes the immense courage and danger involved. The "three" are the chief of David's mighty men, indicating their elite status and unparalleled bravery. Their action was not a stealthy infiltration but a forceful penetration of enemy lines, highlighting their audacious loyalty and the high stakes of their mission.
* **"and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that [was] by the gate":** This specifies the sentimental and strategic target. The well of Bethlehem, David's hometown, held personal significance for him. Its location "by the gate" implies it was a prominent and likely guarded position, further emphasizing the difficulty and risk of obtaining the water.
* **"and took [it], and brought [it] to David":** This details the successful completion of their perilous task. The water, obtained at such a high cost, was presented to David as a tangible expression of their extreme loyalty and devotion, a personal gift born of immense sacrifice.
* **"but David would not drink [of] it, but poured it out to the LORD":** This is the pivotal moment of the verse, revealing David's profound spiritual discernment. His refusal to drink is not a rejection of their gift but a recognition of its sacred cost. He equates the water with the "blood" (life) of the men who risked everything, deeming it too precious for mere personal gratification. By pouring it out to the LORD, David transforms it into a solemn libation, an act of worship and consecration. He acknowledges that such a costly sacrifice, representing the very lives of his loyal men, could only be fittingly offered to God, the giver and sustainer of life.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 1 Chronicles 11:18 is rich with **Symbolism**. The water, a basic necessity, becomes a powerful symbol of life itself, and by extension, the lives of the men who risked everything to obtain it. David's refusal to drink it and his act of pouring it out transforms it into a **symbolic offering** of their "blood" or life force to God. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** in the verse: the physical, violent act of the warriors breaking through enemy lines is juxtaposed with David's quiet, spiritual act of pouring out the water. This highlights the different forms of devotion and sacrifice. Furthermore, the narrative employs **Irony**, as David's casual, almost wistful longing for water leads to an act of profound sacrifice by his men, which then elicits an even more profound act of spiritual consecration from David himself, elevating a simple desire into a moment of deep theological significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This incident profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of the sanctity of life and the nature of true sacrifice. David understood that the water, though physically just water, was imbued with the "blood" (life-risk) of his men. To consume it for his personal comfort would be to trivialize their immense sacrifice. His act of pouring it out to the LORD elevates the offering from a personal gift to a sacred libation, acknowledging that the ultimate value of life and costly sacrifice belongs to God alone. This teaches us that genuine worship often involves recognizing the true cost of things, valuing human life above personal desire, and consecrating our most precious possessions, efforts, or even desires to God. It is a powerful reminder that all good gifts come from God, and the most profound acts of gratitude and devotion are those that return the costly gifts to Him in worship.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Sanctity of Blood"): "For the life of the flesh is in the blood..." This verse underscores the biblical understanding of blood as representing life, making David's reference to the water as "blood" deeply significant.
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Sacrifice"): Christ's ultimate self-emptying and obedience unto death exemplifies the highest form of costly sacrifice for others.
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice"): Calls believers to present their bodies as "living sacrifices," holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's response to his mighty men's extraordinary sacrifice offers a timeless lesson in leadership, gratitude, and the nature of true worship. It challenges us to look beyond the surface of gifts and services rendered to us, to discern the true cost—the effort, sacrifice, and perhaps even risk—that others undertake on our behalf. Are we quick to consume what is given, or do we, like David, pause to consider the "blood" (the life, time, energy, or resources) that went into it? This story calls us to cultivate a profound sense of gratitude and to honor the sacrifices of others by not taking them lightly. Furthermore, David's act of pouring out the water to the LORD reminds us that our most costly and precious possessions, talents, or even the fruits of others' sacrifices for us, are ultimately to be consecrated to God. True worship is not merely about what we give from our abundance, but what we are willing to surrender because of its sacred value, recognizing that all things ultimately belong to Him. It teaches us to transform personal gain into divine glory, valuing God's honor above our own comfort or desire.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "costly water" have others provided for you, and how have you honored their sacrifice?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to consume for personal gratification what God might be calling you to consecrate to Him?**
* **How does David's leadership—his humility and reverence for life—challenge your own understanding and practice of leadership, whether in your family, church, or workplace?**
* **What does it mean for you, practically, to transform a personal blessing into an act of worship to the LORD?**

### FAQ
**Why did David pour out the water instead of drinking it?**

Answer: David refused to drink the water because he recognized the immense cost and the potential "blood" (life) of his men that had been risked to obtain it. He viewed the water as sacred, equating it with the lives of his loyal warriors who had broken through enemy lines. To consume it for his personal comfort would have been to trivialize their profound sacrifice. Instead, by pouring it out to the LORD, David performed an act of spiritual consecration, transforming the costly gift into a solemn libation—a drink offering—to God. This act acknowledged God as the ultimate recipient of such a profound sacrifice and demonstrated David's deep reverence for the sanctity of life and his commitment to honoring God above his own desires. It was an act of worship, recognizing that such a precious "gift" could only be fittingly offered to the divine.

**What is a "drink offering" and why is it significant here?**

Answer: A "drink offering" (or libation) was a ritual in ancient Israelite worship where liquids, typically wine or water, were poured out as an act of dedication or worship to God. It was often offered alongside other sacrifices, symbolizing the pouring out of one's life or devotion to the LORD. In [Exodus 29:40](/exodus/29-40 "Exodus 29:40 - The Daily Burnt Offering and Drink Offering") and [Numbers 15:5](/numbers/15-5 "Numbers 15:5 - Drink Offerings"), we see specific instructions for these offerings. David's act of pouring out the water from Bethlehem is significant because it transforms a moment of personal desire and a heroic feat by his men into a profound act of spiritual worship. It was not a prescribed ritual in this context, but David's spontaneous act reflects a deep understanding of consecration—that what is most valuable, especially that which involves the risk of life, should ultimately be dedicated to God. It signifies that the water, representing the very "blood" of his men, was too sacred for common use and could only be offered to the holy God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's profound act of pouring out the water, which he considered the "blood" of his men, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. David, recognizing the immense cost of human life, refused to benefit from a sacrifice that was too great for him to consume, instead consecrating it to the LORD. In a far greater and more profound way, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly poured out His own "blood"—His very life—not as a symbolic offering, but as the actual, atoning sacrifice for humanity's sin. Unlike the water that David could not drink, Christ's blood is given for us to partake of, offering eternal life and cleansing, as He Himself declared at the Last Supper (e.g., [Mark 14:24](/mark/14-24 "Mark 14:24 - The Blood of the Covenant")). David's reverence for the lives of his men, leading him to offer their "blood" to God, points to the infinitely greater love of God who, in Christ, did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God's Unfailing Love")). Thus, David's act, while noble, ultimately finds its complete fulfillment and redemptive power in the self-emptying sacrifice of Christ, who poured out His life as a fragrant offering to God for our salvation ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")).

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

1 Samuel 7:6

And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured [it] out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

Song Of Solomon 8:6

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love [is] strong as death; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.

Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

1 Samuel 19:5

For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest [it], and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

2 Corinthians 5:15

And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Acts 20:24

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.