8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite , chief of the captains , he was called Adino the Eznite , because of eight hundred slain by him at one time ; 9 and after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite , one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there to battle and the men of Israel had withdrawn . 10 He arose and struck the Philistines until e his hand was weary and clung to the sword , and the Lord brought about a great victory that day ; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain. 11 Now after him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite . And the Philistines were gathered into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils , and the people fled from the Philistines . 12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot , defended it and struck the Philistines ; and the Lord brought about a great victory . 13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam , while the troop of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim . 14 David was then in the stronghold , while the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem 15 David had a craving and said , "Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate !" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines , and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate , and took it and brought it to David . Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord ; 17 and he said , "Be it far from me, O Lord , that I should do this . Shall I drink the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives ?" Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:8-17
Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:8-39
(Read 2 Samuel 23:8-39)
David once earnestly longed for the water at the well of Bethlehem. It seems to be an instance of weakness. He was thirsty; with the water of that well he had often refreshed himself when a youth, and it was without due thought that he desired it. Were his valiant men so forward to expose themselves, upon the least hint of their prince's mind, and so eager to please him, and shall not we long to approve ourselves to our Lord Jesus, by ready compliance with his will, as shown us by his word, Spirit, and providence? But David poured out the water as a drink-offering to the Lord. Thus he would cross his own foolish fancy, and punish himself for indulging it, and show that he had sober thoughts to correct his rash ones, and knew how to deny himself. Did David look upon that water as very precious which was got at the hazard of these men's blood, and shall not we much more value those benefits for purchasing which our blessed Saviour shed his blood? Let all beware of neglecting so great salvation.