15 David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!"
15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
15 And David said longingly, "Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!"
15 David had a sudden craving and said, "Would I ever like a drink of water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem!"
15 And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"
15 David remarked longingly to his men, "Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 23:15
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.