2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 23:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Certain individuals who desired to honor him went forth and risked their lives to fetch him water, navigating through the ranks of adversaries. Upon its arrival, the king reflected on his actions, realizing that in the midst of such conflict, he had not subdued his thirst. And what was his response? He accepted the water but chose not to drink it; instead, he offered it as a sacrifice to God.

I am not troubled by impure food, but rather by the impurity of sinful desires. I recognize that Noah was granted the freedom to consume any food that would satisfy him (See Gen. 9:3), and that Eli regained his strength through sustenance (See 1 Kings 17:6). Furthermore, John, who is known for his remarkable asceticism, remained untainted by sin even when he fed on harsh locusts and wild honey (See Matt. 3:4). I also recall how Esau was led astray by his cravings for a bowl of lentils (See Gen. 25:30-34), and how David chastised himself for his thirst (See 2 Sam. 23:17). Our reigning King in heaven was tempted not with meat, but with bread (See Matt. 4:3).

Which individual could be deemed more excellent and robust than St. David? He longed for water from the well of Bethlehem, even though he was surrounded by an opposing army. This yearning was unshakeable; however, he managed to contain it. It is not evident that others also suffered from a lack of water, despite the vast number of soldiers. The king's need for water was certainly less acute, given the presence of nearby springs. Yet, David felt an inexplicable longing for the water located amidst his foes, making it attainable only through considerable peril. He exclaimed: Who will provide me water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate?

His chosen champions pierced through the ranks of the enemy's forces and brought forth the much-cherished water that the King longed for, untouched. However, the man, enlightened through his discipline, quickly condemned himself for his longing for water, which put the soldiers at risk, and he offered it up to the Lord, as it is written, ‘poured it out to the glory of the Lord’ (1 Chronicles 11:18). The water that was released transformed into an offering for the Lord, as he atoned for his desire through sincere self-reflection. The man who once had no qualms about desiring another’s spouse came to dread even the longing for water. This change occurred because he, recalling his past transgressions and feeling remorse, abstained even from that which was lawful. This illustrates true repentance, as we genuinely grieve for our wrongdoings. Let us reflect on the greater treasures of our Creator. He observes our sins and chooses to forgive us.

Fish are ensnared by bait on a hook, and birds become trapped in nets while seeking their sustenance. Even resilient beasts, driven by hunger, can fall into a pit, where the allure of food leads them astray without a thought for their well-being. Therefore, draw lessons in restraint and temperance from prayer and the lives of those who have gone before us. Through prayer, we are reminded by the Lord to be vigilant, as He warns, "But watch yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down by covetousness and drunkenness" (Luke 21:34). As for examples from the past, we see that David refrained from drinking the water he longed for, recognizing the significance of another's sacrifice; likewise, Daniel chose to forgo royal banquets in favor of a simple diet of vegetables (See Dan. 1:12).