One of the most important things a head coach will ever do for his team is pick the right player from his roster to be the team captain. As he looks through his list, he’s not only considering each player’s level of skill. He’s also looking for a player with experience, who is fearless, who has a good attitude, who is a good communicator, who can lead by example, and someone who knows how to encourage and inspire others. Finding that right person can be the difference between a team that rises to the occasion when the chips are down, or a team that folds at the first hint of trouble.
God made David Israel’s team captain. But as great a leader as he was, David still needed wise coaching and loyal teammates to lead into battle.
This morning’s Scripture reading is from 2nd Samuel 23, 13-17.
Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty – an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.
David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 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. “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 the examples of the exploits of the Three.
We can almost see the sweat dripping from his beard. Tired and weary, he’s been holed up in this cave for days. It’s hot outside, with not even the slightest breeze to take comfort in. We can almost hear the casual chatter between David and his men, the type of things men talk about during war when there’s a break in the action and their minds need a distraction. “So there is this well by a gate near my home growing up, just over the hill there into Bethlehem. That well has the sweetest water I’ve ever tasted. Man… what I wouldn’t give for some of that refreshing cold water from that well right now…”
That’s all the Three mighty warriors needed to hear. They looked at each other and without a second thought they’re off to fetch their king some of that good water. David didn’t ask. He was just sharing a boyhood memory with his men. But that’s how much they admired him and his loyalty to God. They were willing to give their lives for a skin of cold well water for their beloved leader.
When they returned, we don’t have to imagine how honored David felt in their presence; his actions said everything. “I cannot drink this, I don’t deserve it. The only honorable thing I can do for your courage and sacrifice is offer it to our Lord.”
When Hebrews offered sacrifices, they never drank the blood. The blood represented life, and they poured it out before God. David would not drink this water that represented the lives of his brave soldiers. Instead, he offered it to God.
You won’t find great leaders who were not great followers at some point in their lives. They lead by example because they live the example. David inspired his men as a result of being inspired by God.
“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge
Former Blackout Artist 