2 Samuel 23:17 — Meaning and Application

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which {is} by the gate!

And the 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: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.

And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: {is not this} the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, {and} slew {them}, and had the name among three. {and slew them: Heb. slain}

Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the {first} three.