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."
17 David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!"
17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
17 And David said longingly, "Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!"
17 David had a sudden craving: "What I wouldn't give for a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem, the one at the gate!"
17 And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"
17 David remarked longingly to his men, "Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem."
(Read 1 Chronicles 11:10-47)
An account is given of David's worthies, the great men who served him. Yet David reckoned his success, not as from the mighty men that were with him, but from the mighty God, whose presence is all in all. In strengthening him, they strengthened themselves and their own interest, for his advancement was theirs. We shall gain by what we do in our places for the support of the kingdom of the Son of David; and those that are faithful to Him, shall find their names registered much more to their honour, than these are in the records of fame.
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.