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! 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, And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore, he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.” -1 Chronicles 11:17-19
Desire is a “two-sided” coin that has driven mankind to the heights of triumph and to the pits of ruin. The Bible says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). It is well known and rightly believed among Gods people that “every good and perfect gift is from above (James 4:2). Another admonition given by the spirit of God is to “Guard your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
God above knows that man’s heart and his desire are intimately connected. Jesus said, “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). The greatest guide and safeguard for the heart of men is found in the injunction of Jesus, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
This author wants to consider David, and notice the man who gave to God the desire of his heart.
Under Sauls leadership, the Philistines had encroached greatly into the land of Gods promise. David wanted to “out” the Jebusites, who inhabited Jerusalem, and make it the capital (1 Chronicles 11:4-5). David did take the city, and when it was accomplished, he “built it round about” (1 Chronicles 11:8).
God has always called men to stewardship (Genesis 2:15). Many men are guilty of destroying everything they involve themselves in. The Bible says, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthains 2:11). God calls on men to build- for Him- not for them. Every time a man devises in his heart something contrary to Gods will- it will be evident in the outcome. David improves the city and became “greater and greater for the Lord was with him” (1 Chronicles 11:9).
David was surrounded by valiant men (1 Chronicles 11:11-14; 20-25). But the text under consideration (11:17-19) reveals David is in the cave of Adullem. The army of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim, and a garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem.
It is at this juncture David begins to remember the sweet water of his childhood. The thrice anointed King of Israel desired with “longing” a drink of water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem. It seems as David cannot have it and that causes him to want it all the more. Davids’s wish was the command of his mighty friends. All David had to do was vocalize his longing and these men undertook a dangerous and daunting mission.
They did it! They broke through the garrison, pulled up water from the well and delivered to David the desire of his heart.
It was this act of loyalty and self-sacrifice that moved David to honor the bravery and thoughtfulness. Their actions caused the good King to want to honor and worship God.
David took the desire of his heart and gave it back to God.
There would have been nothing inherently wrong had David satiated his heart’s desire with the water from his childhood well. What a leader he was when he gave it back to God. What a friend David was when he honored the selfless act by dedicated the water and the men’s actions to honor and worship God.
David set an important precedent that would bless the lives of Gods people if practiced. James says, “You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts” (James 4:3).
How many great blessings Christians would receive if they determined to return, in some way, all their blessings back to God? “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
If a man will “prove” God with his possessions, God will pass the test (Malachi 3:10).
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