1 Chronicles 11:15-19 New International Version
15 Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave
of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
16
At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison
was at Bethlehem.
17 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that
someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”
18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water
from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused
to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord.
19 “God forbid
that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went
at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David
would not drink it.
Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.
The King Worth Everything
1 Chronicles 11:15-19
In this passage, we read about three heroic men who fetched water for King David by going through enemy lines. They risked their lives to give their king water after they heard the king said he was thirsty.
“And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” ”
1 Chronicles 11:17 ESV
“Then the three mighty men broke through the camp 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 it. He poured it out to the Lord ”
1 Chronicles 11:18 ESV
King David poured out the water to the Lord and would not drink it. He would not drink the water because his men risked their lives for him. David never intended his men to risk their lives over some water.
“and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.”
1 Chronicles 11:19 ESV
Jesus wants us to be obedient and he calls for us to sacrifice all for God. Jesus wants us to live for Him. This is actually more difficult than to die for Jesus. Yes, some people are called to be Martyrs, but those martyrs have lived obedient lives, and many decisions have led them to this sacrifice.
King David saw what his men did and honored their sacrifice. Although he was thirsty, he poured it out to the Lord.
King David did not drink the water because the sacrifice was not what he wanted. He did not want to encourage his men to make foolish sacrifices to please the king. However, he also knew that his men did go to great lengths by risking their life to get the water, and he honours their sacrifice by giving the water to the lord. He turned their zealous but foolish act into a sacrifice for God.
“ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
Jesus sees our faithfulness and our sacrifices. Jesus has not forgotten us. Our King knows what we do and will not forget.
We should not ask, “Will I die for Jesus”, but we should ask, “Will I live for Jesus?”. We should sacrifice as we live for Jesus surrendering everything to Jesus. This is the life that brings glory to God and fulfilment to us.
