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.

2 SAMUEL 23:16KJV
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2 Samuel 23:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 23:16 mean?

2 Samuel 23:16 describes how three of David’s bravest warriors broke through enemy lines to fetch water from a well in Bethlehem for David, but when they brought it to him, he refused to drink it and instead poured it out as an offering to the LORD. This act showed both the devotion of the men and David’s deep respect for their sacrifice.

In this verse, David is in a stronghold while the Philistines occupy Bethlehem, his hometown. The three men risk their lives to fulfill David’s longing for water from a specific well. When they return, David feels unworthy to drink what they risked their lives for, so he pours it out to God as a sacred gesture, treating their bravery as something holy.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 23:16

  • "Three" (שָׁלֹשׁ, shalosh): This word emphasizes that it was a small, select group of David’s mightiest warriors, highlighting the extraordinary nature of their deed.
  • "Men" (גִּבּוֹר, gibbor): This word means "mighty man" or "warrior," underlining the courage and strength of those who carried out this dangerous mission.
  • "Brake through" (בָּקַע, baqa): This verb means to break open or burst through, painting a vivid picture of the men forcefully pushing through enemy lines rather than sneaking or slipping by.
  • "Poured it out" (נָסַךְ, nasakh): This word is often used for pouring out a drink offering in worship, showing that David’s act was not wasteful but a deliberate act of reverence to God.

Why 2 Samuel 23:16 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that David refused the water out of disrespect; instead, he honored the men’s sacrifice by offering it to God, treating their risk as something sacred.
  • The verse highlights the loyalty and bravery of David’s men, showing the deep bonds and mutual respect between David and his followers.
  • It connects to the wider passage by illustrating the extraordinary deeds of David’s mighty men, setting the tone for the rest of the chapter, which recounts their heroic acts.

Where else these words appear

“drew” Hebrew H7579 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 24:11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
  • Genesis 24:44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
  • Ruth 2:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

“out” Hebrew H5258 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • Psalms 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
  • Jeremiah 19:13 And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

“Bethlehem” Hebrew H1035 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
  • Ruth 1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
  • 2 Samuel 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

“through” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 2 Chronicles 21:17 And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
  • Isaiah 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.