There is some debate as to whether these three unnamed heroes are associated with the three in the preceding verses (1 Chronicles 11:11–14) or with the names in the list that follows (1 Chronicles 11:20–25). The three of the thirty are introduced in 1 Chronicles 11:15–16, one of whom was probably Eleazar (1 Chronicles 11:12).1 The Philistines again are the enemy, and the incident probably took place when David was in hiding from Saul in the cave of Adullam, at the stronghold in the wilderness hills between Gath and Bethlehem.2 It is, however, possible that the incident occurred early in David’s reign (2 Samuel 5:17–25). David’s craving for water from the well at Bethlehem’s gate, his hometown, was not likely caused by physical thirst because he was some 21 kilometres from Bethlehem with the enemy blocking the way. His thirst symbolized his longing to have access again to home and a restoration to normality. This same sentiment of soul-thirst is expressed in Psalm 63:1.
The three, however, take this expressed desire literally and break through the Philistine defences to Bethlehem to fetch water for their king. As William Blaikie has pointed out, the description of the exploit of the mighty men…is singular proof of [David’s] great personal influence. He was so loved and honoured that to gratify his wish, these three took their lives in their hands to obtain the water.
3 But the Chronicler also wants to clearly emphasize David’s ability as a leader to inspire remarkable bravery and unshakable loyalty among his men.
David then pours out the hard-won supply of water for which the three had risked their lives on the ground. This gesture was not an act of ingratitude but rather recognition of their sacrificial action. The water represented the men’s lifeblood, and to drink it would have been the same as drinking the blood of a sacrificial animal.
In refusing to drink the water, David utters an oath formula before God: Far be it from me
(1 Chronicles 11:19), which was an emphatic way of swearing to avoid a certain action (see Genesis 18:25). David used it several times to swear that he would not harm Saul, God’s anointed king (1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 26:11). The phrase at the risk of their lives
translates the Hebrew words with their souls,
and so David poured it [the water] out to the Lord.
There are some commentators who interpret this as an act of worship through the presentation to the Lord of a drink or libation offering. The answer, however, is found in the Mosaic law, where the Israelites were forbidden to eat the blood of a slaughtered animal and instead had to pour it out on the ground. The blood was treated with respect, for it symbolized the God-given life of the animal (Leviticus 17:10–14; Deuteronomy 12:16).4 For David to have drunk the water would have been equated with drinking the blood of his men, who were prepared to sacrifice their lives for him.
This action had no atoning merit, and it did not have the same meaning as pouring out of water before the Lord
in connection with the people’s penitence (1 Samuel 7:6). Peter Leithart says this in a summary of David’s act: David will not refresh himself by sending his men into death. Before he becomes king, he proves himself an ideal king. He will defend a barley field to feed his people; he will not exploit the bold prowess of his mighty men for personal pleasure. His men take risks, but he will not make them spear fodder.
5
15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David at the cave of Adullam, when the army of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.