The Bible is filled with amazing accounts of valour and courage in God's people. One notable example took place in the cave of Adullam where David hid with his mighty men. After David fled for his life from the face of King Saul, many men gathered to him who were distressed, in debt, or discontented. From these David's "mighty men" were forged through the grace of God and the leadership of David. This man after God's own heart made a profound positive impact in the lives of the people he led.
2 Samuel 23:13-15 reads, "Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" As the men rested during the hot summer day in the cool of the cave, David longingly wished (out loud!) for a drink of water from the well in his hometown of Bethlehem. No doubt he had been refreshed many times at the well after hot days tending sheep in the arid conditions. But such refreshment was quite out of reach because of distance and the garrison of enemy Philistines which encamped in Bethlehem. What happened next is remarkable.
2 Samuel 23:16-17 continues: "So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 17 And he said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men." Though David did not task anyone with bringing him water to drink from the well, three men decided they wanted to bless and please David by doing just that. Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah trekked to Bethlehem, broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew the water from the well near the gate, and returned to David with water in hand. David was amazed at the risk his men had taken and felt himself unworthy to drink of the water for which he longed. He refused to drink the water and instead poured it out unto the LORD.
I daresay they were not offended David poured out the water unto the LORD, and the fact he did is a reason why these men loved him enough to risk their lives to bring water from the well in Bethlehem. David valued the lives and well-being of his men over the satisfaction of his own thirst; he poured out life-sustaining water because he saw himself unworthy of so great a sacrifice and gift. That is why they loved him so. It wouldn't surprise me that as they were returning to the cave with the prized water one of them said, "You know, David is a man of such humility I bet he won't even drink this water." Yet without being asked love demanded they freely give for the benefit of their beloved leader, a man who had been anointed at king by Samuel and filled with the Spirit of the Living God who refused to lift a hand or speak an unkind word against the murderous king who pursued him like a dog. In the dimness of Adullam water from Bethlehem splashed to the ground, a testimony of honourable men, a humble leader, and the greatest God who is worthy of all sacrifice and glory. Drinking water became mud on the ground in an act of worship, an acceptable offering of praise.
Was it is waste for David to pour out the water? Some might say so, but I disagree. The sacrifice and love of David's men would never be forgotten. Is it any surprise these three would be numbered in the Chronicles as David's mightiest men? In freely giving David water he was free to do as he wished with it, and so great was the cost in procuring it David expressed his unworthiness to even drink it, for he felt only God was worthy of such sacrifice. Jesus said in Matthew 10:42, "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Even the simple gift of a cup of cold water is recognised and rewarded by the God who sees all. When the gifts you give aren't used or appreciated in the way you intend, realise that when you do it for Christ's sake He will accept it as unto Him. How sad it would be to give a gift and resent someone because they have not shown appreciation as you thought they should. Give glory to God for prompting you to give and supplying the means to do so. God sees the sacrifice of his children and every one - even when we give a cup of cold water - will be remembered forever.
2 Samuel 23:13-15 reads, "Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" As the men rested during the hot summer day in the cool of the cave, David longingly wished (out loud!) for a drink of water from the well in his hometown of Bethlehem. No doubt he had been refreshed many times at the well after hot days tending sheep in the arid conditions. But such refreshment was quite out of reach because of distance and the garrison of enemy Philistines which encamped in Bethlehem. What happened next is remarkable.
2 Samuel 23:16-17 continues: "So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 17 And he said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men." Though David did not task anyone with bringing him water to drink from the well, three men decided they wanted to bless and please David by doing just that. Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah trekked to Bethlehem, broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew the water from the well near the gate, and returned to David with water in hand. David was amazed at the risk his men had taken and felt himself unworthy to drink of the water for which he longed. He refused to drink the water and instead poured it out unto the LORD.
I daresay they were not offended David poured out the water unto the LORD, and the fact he did is a reason why these men loved him enough to risk their lives to bring water from the well in Bethlehem. David valued the lives and well-being of his men over the satisfaction of his own thirst; he poured out life-sustaining water because he saw himself unworthy of so great a sacrifice and gift. That is why they loved him so. It wouldn't surprise me that as they were returning to the cave with the prized water one of them said, "You know, David is a man of such humility I bet he won't even drink this water." Yet without being asked love demanded they freely give for the benefit of their beloved leader, a man who had been anointed at king by Samuel and filled with the Spirit of the Living God who refused to lift a hand or speak an unkind word against the murderous king who pursued him like a dog. In the dimness of Adullam water from Bethlehem splashed to the ground, a testimony of honourable men, a humble leader, and the greatest God who is worthy of all sacrifice and glory. Drinking water became mud on the ground in an act of worship, an acceptable offering of praise.
Was it is waste for David to pour out the water? Some might say so, but I disagree. The sacrifice and love of David's men would never be forgotten. Is it any surprise these three would be numbered in the Chronicles as David's mightiest men? In freely giving David water he was free to do as he wished with it, and so great was the cost in procuring it David expressed his unworthiness to even drink it, for he felt only God was worthy of such sacrifice. Jesus said in Matthew 10:42, "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Even the simple gift of a cup of cold water is recognised and rewarded by the God who sees all. When the gifts you give aren't used or appreciated in the way you intend, realise that when you do it for Christ's sake He will accept it as unto Him. How sad it would be to give a gift and resent someone because they have not shown appreciation as you thought they should. Give glory to God for prompting you to give and supplying the means to do so. God sees the sacrifice of his children and every one - even when we give a cup of cold water - will be remembered forever.
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