David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
Parallel Translations
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David longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
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And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, that is at the gate!
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And David longed, and said: 'Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!'
Cross-references (8)
Passages linked to 1 Chronicles 11:17 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 2 Samuel 23:15-16 David longed, and said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” The three mighty men broke through the army 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; but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh.
- Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.
- John 4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
- John 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
- Psalms 63:1 God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.
- Numbers 11:4-5 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly; and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;
- Psalms 42:1-2 As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
- Psalms 143:6 I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (5 sources)
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Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 17. David longed] See the notes on 2Sa…
Verse 17. David longed] See the notes on 2Sa 23:15-17.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain O that. Hebrew, "Who will." David wished to see…
O that. Hebrew, "Who will." David wished to see his native country freed from the troops of the Philistines. --- In. Hebrew, "by the gate."
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 17. give me drink of the water] R.V. give…
17. give me drink of the water] R.V. give me water to drink.
that is at] R.V. which is by (so Sam.).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (17) That is at (in) the gate !—No such…
(17) That is at (in) the gate !—No such well is now known. The so-called “David’s well” is half a mile north-east of the town.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain The well of Bethlehem at the gate. Nothing else…
The well of Bethlehem at the gate. Nothing else is known of this well. No trace of it exists now, according to Dr. Robinson ("Bibl. Res.," 1:473). The traditional well is half a mile distant, to the north of the town, and consists of a group of three cisterns, while the present town is supplied with water by an aqueduct.
Vers. 17-19.
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David"s drink offering.
This incident is narrated also in 2Sa_23:13-17. The "hold" that is mentioned is probably the frontier fortress of Adullam, on the Philistine border, "which, from its strength and position and the neighbourhood of the caverns, was judged by David to be the best place of defence against the invasions of the Philistines." Robinson says, "There is no well of living water in or near the town of Bethlehem." "There is, however, a cistern of "deep, clear, cool water," called by the monks David"s well, about three-quarters of a mile to the north of Bethlehem. Possibly the old well has been filled up since the town was supplied with water by the aqueduct." Josephus speaks of the well as being near the gate. David would not drink of the water when it was brought him, for this reason he looked upon it, not as water, but as blood, seeing that it had been procured at the hazard of men"s lives; and, knowing that it was forbidden by the Law to drink blood, (Lev_17:11, Lev_17:12) he poured it out upon the ground as a solemn offering unto the Lord, and as a thanksgiving for the preservation of their lives.
I DAVID"S HOME FEELINGS. In him there was strong family affection. This is seen in his relations with his grown-up sons. There was also strong attachment to his early home, the place of his youthful associations. Strong home feeling is usually found in the inhabitants of hilly and mountainous countries; as may be illustrated from the mal-du-pays, the characteristic sickness of the Swiss when away from their mountains. It does not appear that David did more than give utterance to a suddenly conceived wish. It was an impulsive utterance, which he did not mean should be taken as a command. Herein is given us a lesson on the importance of guarding carefully our speech, watching the door of our lips. He is not wise who utters all he feels. It is a great grace to be enabled to keep silence.
II THE DEVOTION OF DAVID"S FOLLOWERS. This is one of the most interesting features of the incident. It brings to view the relations between David and his men, and helps us to realize the fascination which David exerted. Some men have this power over their fellows a gracious power, if they use it to lead their fellow-men to higher and holier things; a fatal power, if they make it the means of dragging others down to their own doom. It may be pointed out that special gifts ensure this kind of leadership. Of these, grace of body, generosity of disposition, a skill of getting on otherslevel, an absence of stir-assertive pride, and a winning geniality of manner, are important. If God gives grace of natural disposition, such as wins for us general favour, let us remember that this brings its holy burden of responsibility.
III THE PROWESS IN WHICH DEVOTION FOUND EXPRESSION. Estimate it from a military point of view. It could but be regarded as a "foolhardy "enterprise; and yet the very suddenness and dash of it almost guaranteed its success. To gratify a wish these men would imperil their lives.
IV THE PIOUS ESTIMATE OF THE VALUE OF LIFE. This tended to bind David"s followers yet more closely to him. Such considerateness for them showed his loving and thoughtful and pious character. It was worth while serving one who eared for them so tenderly. Compare Wellington"s personal interest in his soldiers, and the personal enthusiasm which he created. The sense of the value of human life is the very foundation of social morality, it stays man"s hand from being lifted up against his fellowman. And respect for man"s best treasure his life finds varied expression in respect for all his other treasures and possessions. We will not injure him, in his life, nor in taking anything that is his. Lead on to show how the value of life is enhanced when we add to it two considerations
(1) Man"s immortality;
(2) man"s salvation, through a sacrifice of infinite value. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.