Definition: And the three 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: but David would not drink [of] it, but poured it out to the LORD,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really important passage about leadership and being careful with power. Here’s what it means in plain language: The Basic Story: This verse comes from a story about King David’s advisors – specifically, a group of men who were trying to trick him into giving them a large amount of water from the spring near Bethlehem. They wanted to use this water for their own benefit and to make David look bad. Let's unpack it word by word: “1 Chronicles 11:18” : This is the verse itself, part of a larger story in the Book of Chronicles. It’s important because it’s a specific event described within the Bible. “And the three brake through the host of the Philistines” : This means a group of people – likely warriors or leaders – were sneaking into the main group of soldiers (the “host”) of the Philistines. The Philists were the people who lived in the area around Israel and were often enemies. “and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem” : They were taking water from a specific spring – Bethlehem – which was located near the area where the Philistines were camped. “that [was] by the gate” : This is crucial! The water wasn’t just being taken; it was being removed from a place of importance, like a well or spring. It was being deliberately diverted. “and took [it], and brought [it] to David” : They carefully collected the water and brought it to King David. “but David would not drink [of] it” : This is the key part . David refused to drink the water. He felt it was God's water, and he wasn’t going to misuse it. “but poured it out to the LORD” : Instead of drinking it, David poured the water out as a sacrifice or offering – a way to show his devotion and trust in God. What does this verse mean about leadership and responsibility? This story is often interpreted as a warning against excessive power and the dangers of those who abuse their position. It suggests that: God’s Word is Important: David’s refusal to drink the water shows he valued God's word above personal gain. Careful with Your Blessings: The verse reminds us that even blessings and opportunities should be used wisely and for good purposes. Trusting in God's Will: It encourages us to trust that God has a plan and will use our gifts and leadership for His purpose. In short, this verse is a story about obedience, humility, and the importance of using power responsibly. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the story in more detail? Discuss the significance of David’s actions? Compare this passage to other stories in the Bible regarding leadership or temptation?