1 Chronicles 11

So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord. v.18

Read chapter 11
I don't know about you, but I got a little frustrated with David reading verses fifteen through nineteen.  We read in this chapter of David's mighty men.  These were amazing warrior men  not only for David but for the Lord as they were faithful to both to live and die for them.  In this chapter we have one account where three of the men go risk their lives to bring David water and then David dumps it on the floor instead of drinking it.  Gah I would be so frustrated if I were one of those men after probably almost killing myself for something that was pointless.  But then I took a breath and read it again (well probably five more times) and realized a few things I was making up in my mind over what was written.  For one, David didn't just dump the water out, but he "poured it out to the Lord."  This pouring out of the water was an offering.  David thought himself unworthy of such a sacrifice these men made for them and decided it was for the Lord to receive.  It was an act of worship to pour the water out unto the Lord.  This also showed David's strength of his own appetite that he would not let rule him.  To have rule over your own spirit is no easy thing.  "It is an honour to a man to have the command of himself; but he that will command himself must sometimes cross himself" Matthew Henry.  Third, David sees the water as the blood of these men (verse 19).  He realized they risked their lives for him and is giving those lives to the Lord.  David's strength came not in his might men, but in the Lord who made him victorious.  Yet these mighty men are worthy of being mentioned of their devotion of risking their lives no matter the task for the Lord.  These might men are listed at the beginning of the account of David in Chronicles instead of at then end of David's account in 2nd Samuel, showing moral first over chronology.  How would you respond if you were one of David's men who risked your life for a drink that was poured out unto the Lord?  What is a similar task done today unto the Lord by others that doesn't make sense for the risk involved?  How can you see it as an act of worship to the Lord or as an honor to those that risked their lives?