David's Strength and Humility

Read 2 Samuel 12:18-31, 8:3-12 & 23
 
2 Samuel 23:9b-10 Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. 10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day.
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2 Samuel 23:15-20 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. 17 “The Lord 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. (Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazer and Hararite)
 
DAVID’’S followers were deeply loyal to their leader and highly skilled in warfare. Eleazer’s and David’s personal disposal of a group of Philistines is another testimony of God’s strength surrounding David. As David was a highly skilled warrior, he attracted strong, skilled warriors. The Three are David’s top fighters in his group. These valuable soldiers risked their lives for David’s desired drink of water from Bethlehem. It hardly seemed worthwhile, but they demonstrated their gifts to overcome the enemy. Sometimes the battle requires outward strength. Sometimes the victory demands stealth and silence. David had the men to accomplish God’s purposes.
   What, then, do you think of David pouring the cup of water onto the ground? Was he minimizing, even ridiculing the soldiers’ valiant success?
   On the contrary, David was honoring his men. When he looked at the water in the cup he saw the water is as precious as the blood of these men. Their blood could easily have been on the ground in Bethlehem. David did not see in the cup a drink of water but a sacrifice from his soldiers. Drinking this water would have been as drinking the men’s blood. Gratefully, David offered the water as a drink offering to the LORD.
   David’s offering demonstrated he treasured the LORD’s provision of gifted soldiers. It was his sign he joined with his soldiers to worship God.
   A vital trait of being a Christian is to offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God. This means that you are willing to give up your greatest desires to honor God and those he places in your life. A living sacrifice is to join with others only for God’s good without thought of personal gain or loss. Be grateful to God for the many people who help you. Become united in purpose with others to worship God with your life.
 
Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.