Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 5:1-10; 1 Chronicles 11-12.
1 Chronicles 11 tells us of David’s mighty men. Three of these men were remembered for risking their lives to provide aid and comfort to the king.
“Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, while the army of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
“David had a craving and said, ‘Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!’ So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord; and he said, ‘Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.’ Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did” (1 Chronicles 11:15-19).
Their success in this mission was amazing, and their devotion to David was commendable. Yet David refused to drink the water they had brought and even spilled it out on the ground. This was not meant as an insult to these men, but rather it showed David’s concern for the lives of these men and his reverence for God.
These men risked their lives, not in the cause of the Lord, but to provide comfort for the king. Though many human rulers throughout history have expected or demanded this type of service, David was different. He knew that he was not worthy of such sacrifice. Only God was so worthy.
Though in a position of authority, David recognized that he was no greater than those he led and that he was subject to the Lord. If only our leaders would recognize this today.
Tomorrow’s reading: Psalm 133
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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