Nevertheless David, Pt. 2

Intro: This morning we looked at the heart of David as he desired to build a house for the Lord. Even though his desire was great, God said no. David’s desire was divinely fulfilled through his son Solomon.

Tonight I want us to look at another one of David’s desire and when it was fulfilled the response from his heart.

Text; 2 Samuel 23:13-17

2 Samuel 23:13–17 NKJV

13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in 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!” 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that 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, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

1. David Reflecting upon God’s Goodness; 1-5

[1-5] David’s last words reflecting upon God’s goodness

From a shepherd to a king

How God spoke to him and through him as he lead Israel. [Sweet Psalmist, “73”]

How God had prospered him as tender grass awaking to the morning sun, even though he was not deserving.

2. David Remembering his Mighty Men; 8-12

David was blessed to have 30 loyal men who stuck with him through thick and thin. These men lay down their lives for the cause of God’s kingdom following God’s anointed.

[8] Adino the Enzite, chief captain, led by example and slew 800 men at one time

Joshua 1:9 NKJV

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

[9-10] Eleazar fought the Philistines when everybody else fled

Galatians 6:9 NKJV

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

[11-12] Shammah fought to keep a field of beans for Israel while everybody else fled

2 Timothy 4:16–17 NKJV

16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

3. David’s Desire; 13-15

David is hold up in a cave [stronghold] in the summertime [harvest] and the Philistines are in the valley below him. He is essentially trapped, with no source of fresh water. The Philistines also have set up a garrison [500 men] in Bethlehem, Davids hometown for a trap if he tries to get water there.

[15] David’s desire for the sweet well water from Bethlehem would be like our desire for something from home that we are not privileged to anymore.

Longing- yearning, to covet, lust after

Turn to [John 4:6-15] She began to long for living water that always satisfies.

How long has it been since you have thirsted for the living water of God?

4. David’s Mens Devotion; 16

What selfless devotion demonstrated by these three soldiers!

Bethlehem was 12 miles away, they had to get past the troops in the valley and somehow get to the well, by the gate with a garrison watching for David, get water and come back 12 miles and get past the Philistines in the valley. Really!

What an example to follow. That devotion should be to the Lord Jesus Christ who has done more for us than any man ever could:

Saved us from the sin

Given us His Holy Spirit to guide, teach, protect, and provide for us day by day

Given us the power to overcome and conquer all the temptations and trials that confront us.

Given us perfect assurance, guaranteeing us that we are acceptable to Him and will live forever in heaven with Him.

Romans 12:1 NKJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

5. David’s Heart; 16c-17

Nevertheless- however, on the other hand, David poured the water out. “What?”

David was so overwhelmed by their devotion to honor his desire without him ever asking them too, he poured out the water to the Lord.

Drink Offering- The drink offering accompanied the giving of another sacrifice, such as the burnt offering, and was not offered independently. It was an act of dedication that symbolized a person’s life poured out in the service of the Lord. The three men had given themselves as a sacrifice to the Lord to serve David.

David counted the water as their blood, the risking of their lives for him!

Lesson; Should our hearts not also have the same desire to lay our life down for the One who died for us and rose again?

Matthew 16:24 NKJV

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

John 14:15 NKJV

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

John 15:13 NKJV

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

1 John 3:16 NKJV

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Close;

Where is your heart tonight?

Does it desire the sweet living water of the words of life?

Does it desire to be used of God in a mighty way like these men?

Is it willing to be poured out as a drink offering unto the Lord?