“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 Sam. 23:15). A longing expressed with an exclamation mark! Here we find David once more as a type of Christ, and three of his mighty men as types of devotedness in the believer.
In the account of David’s mighty men given in 2 Samuel, three men are particularly singled out at the beginning of the account — Adino the Eznite (called Jashobeam in 2 Chronicles 11), Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, and Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. They were evidently extremely valiant men in war, each one having achieved a single-handed victory against overwhelming odds. Each one fought against the Philistines, who were actually within the territory of the land of Israel, and thus they are a type of the enemy within the profession of Christianity, as opposed to those who cause trouble from without.
The First Place
But were these exploits, although impressive, enough in themselves to warrant the first place given to these men? Others of David’s mighty men, such as Abishai, were equally fearless in facing the enemy and in undertaking dangerous missions. In addition, these three names are not recorded elsewhere in connection with David’s wars and military campaigns, while the names of several other valiant men are mentioned a number of times. Two of the three are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27, but only after David came to the throne and in connection with the courses of men that served David month by month. What then was the reason that they were given the first place?
I would suggest two possible reasons why David valued them so much. First of all, it seems that they were content to serve David quietly and in the background. They were not seeking public recognition or a place of prominence; they were happy as long as they were serving God’s rightful king. Second, they likely were the three men who were involved in getting the water for David from the well of Bethlehem. The Scripture does not say so specifically, but the fact that the incident concerning the well of Bethlehem is placed directly after their names would seem to suggest that they were the ones involved in this deed of both devotedness and courage.
Desire for Refreshment
Let us picture the scene. David, God’s rightful king, was compelled to be “in an hold,” in a place of safety from Saul. In addition, the Philistines were occupying his hometown — the place so dear to his heart. There was evidently a well there that had particularly good water — water that, no doubt, had often refreshed David in time past. Now, for all practical purposes, it was inaccessible to him. But he expresses a longing for it, and these three men were close enough to him to hear it.
So it is today, in this world. Our David, the Lord Jesus Christ, has been rejected as the rightful King and has been crucified. Although risen from the dead, as yet He does not have His rightful place, and those who are His enemies possess the world that His hands have made. But He desires refreshment, not as a matter of command or even as a request, but only as a matter of expressed desire. Will He get it?
An Answer to the Desire
Without telling David, it is recorded that these 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” (2 Sam. 23:16). Notice that they had listened carefully to David’s desire; they brought the water specifically from the well in Bethlehem “which is by the gate.” It was not an easy task, and they did not do it stealthily or at night. Rather, “they brake through the host of the Philistines”; there was a cost involved and serious danger too.
These men were not only valiant in combat; they also were courageous when there was no command to do so. They risked their lives, not under military orders, but because of their love and devotedness to David. They valued David for who he was, not merely because he was their captain, and David’s appreciation of their act was demonstrated when, instead of drinking the water, he “poured it out unto the Lord” (2 Sam. 23:16). He would not take that which was brought to him and enjoy it until others could enjoy it too.
So again it should be with us. The Lord Jesus does not demand it, but He desires refreshment that can come only from His people in this world. There is a cost involved, but the praise and worship that is rendered under the difficult circumstances in this world have a special value to Christ. He values worship as well as service, and devotedness as well as courage. In a coming day, there will be unhindered praise, not only from all the redeemed, but from all creation. Here and now, there is a price to be paid for honoring the rightful King, but the refreshment given under such conditions cannot be duplicated, even in all eternity.
No doubt, after Saul was dead and all David’s enemies were subdued, he was able to enjoy the water of the well of Bethlehem whenever he wished. But the memory of those men who risked their lives to get it for him in the day of his rejection would remain with him. Could it be that it was for this reason, as well as for their bravery in warfare, that David accorded these men the first place? What a wonderful encouragement for us in this Old Testament picture!
W. J. Prost