saying, “Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.
Parallel translations
- WEB and said, “My God forbid me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?” For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.
- KJV 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.
- ESV and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.
- NKJV And he said, “Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.
- NASB and he said, “Far be it from me before my God that I would do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For they brought it at the risk of their lives.” Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.
- NLT “God forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David said he could not drink what was virtually the blood of men who risked their lives, so he poured it out. He honored their sacrifice by refusing to consume it selfishly.
Overview
David equates drinking the water with drinking the men's blood, since they jeopardized their lives to obtain it, and reverence forbade such a thing. His restraint shows a king who values his men's lives above his own comfort and devotes their costly gift to God. This regard for the preciousness of life poured out points toward the One whose blood was truly given, and who calls His own a costly, redeemed people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 2 Sam 23:17saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.
- Ps 72:14He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.
- Judg 5:18Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.
- Rom 16:4who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
- 1 Cor 15:30And why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
- Mark 14:24He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
- Job 31:31if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’—
- 1 Kgs 21:3But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”
- Rom 6:1–2What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?
- John 6:55For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.
- Judg 9:17for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian,
- 1 Sam 19:5He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”
- Lev 17:10If anyone from the house of Israel or a foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from among his people.
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Christ at the center
The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
How 1 Chronicles 11:19 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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