2 Samuel 23:16 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The three break through enemy lines to fetch the water, but David refuses to drink it and pours it out to the LORD.
What Does 2 Samuel 23:16 Mean?
Hearing David's longing, the three warriors do the unthinkable. They cut through the Philistine host, draw water from the coveted well, and carry it back to him. Yet David will not drink it; instead he pours it out on the ground as an offering to the LORD.
The act stuns by its reverence. Water won at such risk seemed too sacred for David to consume; he gives it back to God. Loyal love offered him a costly gift, and he answered by lifting it higher still, to the Lord. It is a picture of worship: the most precious things received in life are best returned to the One who gave them.
2 Samuel 23:16 in the Original Language
nasak (נָסַךְ), 'poured out' -- to pour a drink offering, presenting something costly wholly to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 23:16
What does 2 Samuel 23:16 mean?
The three break through enemy lines to fetch the water, but David refuses to drink it and pours it out to the LORD.