1 Chronicles 11:19

¹⁷ David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

¹⁸ So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,

saying, “Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

²⁰ Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three.

²¹ He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: saying, “Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.
KJV: And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
WEB: and said, “My God forbid me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?” For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.
ASV: and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with [the jeopardy of] their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.
DARBY: And he said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing! should I drink the blood of these men [who went] at the risk of their lives? for at the risk of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.
BLB: and he said, “Far be it from me, my God, that I should do this; shall I drink the blood of these men with their lives? For with their lives they brought it.” And he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

ÅB: Og han sa: Min Gud, la det være langt fra meg å gjøre dette! Skulle jeg drikke disse menns blod, som har satt sitt liv i fare? For med fare for sitt liv har de båret det hit. Og han ville ikke drikke det. Dette gjorde de tre helter.
OTB: Og han sa:
"Det være langt fra meg for min Gud å gjøre dette.
Skal jeg drikke blodet av disse mennene som gikk med fare for sine liv?
For de brakte det med fare for sine liv."
Derfor ville han ikke drikke det.
Dette gjorde de tre veldige mennene.
B1930: Og han sa: Min Gud, la det være langt fra mig å gjøre dette! Skulde jeg drikke disse menns blod, som har satt sitt liv i fare? For med fare for sitt liv har de båret det hit. Og han vilde ikke drikke det. Dette gjorde de tre helter.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Samuel 23:17
saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.
Read in context
Psalms 72:14
He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.
Read in context
Judges 9:17
for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian,
Read in context
Leviticus 17:10
If anyone from the house of Israel or a foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from among his people.
Read in context
1 Corinthians 15:30
And why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
Read in context
Romans 16:4
who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Read in context
1 Samuel 19:5
He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”
Read in context
John 6:55
For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.
Read in context