In 2 Samuel 23:15-17, David made a simple statement. He said, “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” He didn’t command anyone to get it. He was just thinking out loud. But three of his mighty men heard it, and they went. They broke through the host of the Philistines—risked their lives—and brought him back that water.
And David wouldn’t drink it.
He looked at the water and saw more than water. He saw the sacrifice. He saw the loyalty. He saw what it cost. So he poured it out to the LORD. He said, “Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?”
That was David. But it also sounds a whole lot like what being a Christian ought to be.
There are five traits we can see in David’s Mighty Men that should be in a follower of Christ.
1. True followers move out of love, not pressure
Those men weren’t told to go. They just loved their king. Same with us.
Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) You can always tell who really loves the Lord—not by how loud they talk, but how quick they move when He wants something.
2. True followers are willing to risk
The Bible says those men “brake through the host of the Philistines.” That wasn’t safe. But they did it because it mattered to their king. Jesus said, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matt. 10:38) Being a Christian can come with fear and even risk. But it’s always worth it for our King.
3. True followers give their best to God
David didn’t drink that water. He poured it out. Not because it wasn’t good—but because it was too good. It was worth more than satisfying his thirst—it was worthy of being poured out to God. Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love.”
Jesus sees what others don’t and He values what others won’t.
4. True followers do what others won’t
Matthew 22:14 – “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Out of all David’s men, only three did this. The rest stood still. That’s how it is today. Many are called, but few step forward. Few give up comfort. Few break through enemy lines. But the ones who do—those are the ones God uses.
5. True followers are never forgotten
1 Corinthians 3:13
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
That little story about the water is in your Bible for a reason. God wanted it remembered. The Bible really is that all of our works will be judged. Not for salvation , but based on if we did our best for our King. Even a drink of water we fetch will be reviewed and reward given, if it’s given in His name.
David’s men didn’t see themselves as heroes. They just wanted to do something for their king. That’s how I want to live. Not needing applause. Not waiting for permission. Just serving out of love. That’s when a simple task can become worship.
