The Anchor and the Ark

Be it far from me

Have you ever heard or read something that did not make any sense? Not a ridiculous saying, I am referring to a statement that causes you to stop and say what and read the phrase again or simply ask the person who said it to repeat what they said. I have always loved history, therefore, and it was the Old Testament that I read first. Here we find little-known, and less-studied verses in the Bible.

2 Samuel Chapter 23 vs. 14-17

¹⁴And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

¹⁵And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

¹⁶And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless, he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.

¹⁷And 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? Therefore he would not drink it.

2 Samuel Chapter 23 records the names of David’s mighty men and recounts some stories about each of them. One story is from David’s exile, when he had to flee King Saul who was trying to kill him. King Saul was well aware his days as the king of Israel were numbered. Not only had the prophet, Samuel, foretold the end of Saul’s reign, but Samuel had also anointed David as his successor while Saul was still the king. Rather than submitting to the will of the Lord, however, Saul considered David a threat and sought to kill him. Consequently, David was on the run, hiding from Saul throughout the land of Israel for over four years. From Gibeah to Moab, and from the wilderness of Ziph to Ein Gedi, David and his men hid in shelters, strongholds, and caves, and even found refuge among the Philistines. One of David’s earliest and most trusted hideouts was the Cave at Adullam.

Adullam was located in the Shephelah region of Israel just south of the upper end of the Elah Valley where the hills begin to rise into the Judean Highlands. It was just five miles from the site where David slew the Philistine giant Goliath, propelling him into fame throughout all of Israel. In these verses, three of David’s men overheard him longing for water from the well of Bethlehem, where he was born and spent the days of his youth. Imagine a sweltering, dusty summer day as David remembered the cool water from the village well of his tender youth. Since David had been a shepherd, we can infer he often stopped at this well for his sheep to gain refreshment. I can imagine this little shepherd boy longing for days of yesteryear when he thought of the refreshing waters. Certainly, David had not given orders for his men to bring him water from that well. Neither, had he intended his friends and companions to be prompted by his words to attempt a dangerous journey. Nonetheless, these three valiant men took his longing seriously and broke through enemy lines to draw water for David from the well of Bethlehem. Only to trod the same perils traversing back to their sanctuary to bring David what they perceived he desired. It was approximately 25 miles round trip. Yes, they were on a journey and a mission for certain. It was then as I reflected on those four words that perplexed me. I realized it was not the journey or even the destination. Because David’s men brought him water at the risk of their own lives, he considered it too precious to drink himself and instead poured it out as an offering to God. This was David’s way of proclaiming, the truth “Only God is worthy of such a sacrifice” this remarkable gift. This little shepherd boy, giant killer, and anointed King of Israel declares “Be it Far From Me” did you hear it, did you see it. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.” David was in solitude and reflection in Adullam. GOD alone is worthy and desires the gift of our devotion. So as I pondered this magnificent journey called life I realized four truths:

Everyone is on their way somewhere.
The reflection we see in the mirror tomorrow results from today’s labor.
Servants exist to serve, not to be served.
There is a difference between isolation and solitude.

On Our Way Somewhere

From the dawn of life, we are on a journey,

a destination for certain

What shall we each accomplish

before the final curtain?