1 Chronicles 11 19

1 Chronicles 11:19 kjv

And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

1 Chronicles 11:19 nkjv

And he said, "Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it." Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

1 Chronicles 11:19 niv

"God forbid that I should do this!" he said. "Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?" Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

1 Chronicles 11:19 esv

and said, "Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it." Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

1 Chronicles 11:19 nlt

"God forbid that I should drink this!" he exclaimed. "This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me." So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 19 Meaning

1 Chronicles 11:19 recounts David's refusal to drink the water fetched by three of his mighty men from the well of Bethlehem, expressing deep reverence for God and respect for the extraordinary risk his men took. He perceived their life-threatening act as making the water akin to their very blood, thereby sacred and unfit for his personal consumption, choosing instead to pour it out as an offering to the Lord. This demonstrates David's humility, piety, and profound appreciation for sacrificial loyalty.

1 Chronicles 11 19 Context

1 Chronicles 11 begins by establishing David as king over all Israel in Hebron, leading to the capture of Jerusalem and its establishment as the city of David. The chapter then shifts to list David's mighty men, detailing their extraordinary feats. Verse 19 specifically recounts an incident that occurred earlier in David's life, likely during his time as a fugitive or when Bethlehem was occupied by Philistine forces. While David was in the stronghold (likely the cave of Adullam, as suggested by the parallel in 2 Samuel 23), he longed for water from the well of Bethlehem. Three of his elite warriors risked their lives, breaking through the Philistine lines, to retrieve it for him. This immediate context highlights the extreme loyalty and courage of David's men, but more profoundly, David's deep spiritual response to their self-sacrifice, transforming an act of physical refreshment into a moment of sacred worship. The historical setting is one of conflict and longing, making the act of fetching water a truly costly endeavor.

1 Chronicles 11 19 Word analysis

• and said, "Far be it from me": The Hebrew, chalilah li (חָלִלָה לִּי), expresses a strong exclamation of repulsion or profanation, literally "profane for me," "let it be sacrilege to me." It indicates something is utterly unfitting, an abhorrence that David would consider personally defiling or unholy to do. It denotes a deep sense of moral and spiritual impossibility. This phrase emphasizes David's profound revulsion and a deep understanding of what is permissible or holy in God's eyes.
• O my God, to do this!: David directly addresses God (אֱלֹהַי - Elohai), making his decision a personal vow and an act of devotion, not merely a refusal. It highlights his direct and intimate relationship with the Divine and implies that his actions are always considered in the context of his allegiance to God. This elevates the decision beyond personal sentiment to a spiritual principle.
• Shall I drink the blood: The term "blood" (דָּם - dam) here is used metaphorically. David understood the "water" as symbolically infused with the life-blood of his men, given the extreme risk they took. Biblically, blood is intrinsically linked to life and is sacred (Lev 17:11). To consume it was forbidden (Gen 9:4; Deut 12:23). David recognized that the cost was so immense, so tied to their very lives, that for him to simply quench his thirst with it would be to trivialise their ultimate sacrifice and violate a deep spiritual principle.
• of these men who have staked their lives?: The phrase "staked their lives" (בּנַפשׁותיהם - b'nafshoteihem) signifies risking their very souls or lives. It refers to a commitment so extreme it could cost them everything. David keenly grasped the ultimate price involved—the willingness of these men to die for his desire—and it moved him deeply, compelling him to treat their deed as a holy offering. This highlights the selfless and dangerous nature of their action.
• Therefore he would not drink it.: This indicates David's decisive and unwavering resolution. It's an act of immediate application of a recognized divine principle. He didn't hesitate or reconsider.
• These things did David's three mighty men.: This concluding sentence succinctly affirms the extraordinary valor and loyalty of his elite warriors, cementing their place in the record of remarkable deeds performed in service to King David and by extension, to God's anointed. It highlights the men's dedication, which stands in contrast to David's self-denial.

1 Chronicles 11 19 Bonus section

This incident reveals David's growth as a king and his alignment with divine principles concerning the sanctity of life, especially in contrast to later failings (e.g., the Uriah incident). His initial longing for the water was a human desire, but his response upon receiving it showed his mature spiritual insight. It exemplifies the transformation of common sustenance into a consecrated offering due to the 'price' paid. The act of pouring out the water to the Lord parallels sacrificial practices in the Old Testament, where liquids (libations) were offered to God, symbolizing consecration and homage. David did not treat this as a personal trophy but as a costly and holy gift to be returned to the giver of all life. It speaks to a deep sense of humility and reverence for the sanctity of human life when dedicated in service.

1 Chronicles 11 19 Commentary

1 Chronicles 11:19 is a profound illustration of spiritual discernment and ethical leadership. David, despite his intense thirst, recognized that the water, while physically present, was spiritually charged with the life-cost of his men. His utterance, "Far be it from me, O my God," signifies not mere preference but a deep moral conviction, an understanding that to partake of such a costly gift for personal indulgence would be an act of spiritual profanity. This water had been 'purchased' by their blood, making it a sacred offering to be consecrated to God alone. David's pouring it out was an act of worship, transforming a personal craving into an act of self-denial and reverence. This choice revealed David's heart as a king who not only valued the lives of his subjects but also submitted his own desires to a higher spiritual law, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ (Phil 2:8) and calling believers to present their lives as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1).

Examples for practical usage:

• Leaders recognizing the sacrifices of their team, not taking them for granted.
• Believers understanding the "cost" of spiritual blessings or the sacrifices of those who paved the way.
• Exercising self-denial or foregoing a personal gain out of reverence for a sacred principle or costly service of others.