Of David's sacred regard for human life, striking evidence had been given, even while he himself was hunted like a beast of prey. One day while he was hidden in the cave of Adullam, his thoughts turning back to the untroubled freedom of his boyhood life, the fugitive exclaimed, "Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" 2 Samuel 23:13-17. Bethlehem was at that time in the hands of the Philistines; but three mighty men of David's band broke through the guard, and brought of the water of Bethlehem to their master. David could not drink it. "Be it far from me," he 737 cried; "is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?" And he reverently poured out the water as an offering to God. David had been a man of war, much of his life had been spent amid scenes of violence; but of all who have passed through such an ordeal, few indeed have been so little affected by its hardening, demoralizing influence as was David.

David havde tydeligt vist, hvor højt han agtede menneskeliv, selv da han blev jaget som et vildt dyr. Da han holdt sig skjult i Adullams hule, tænkte han tilbage på sin ubekymrede barndom og udbrød: "Hvem skaffer mig en drik vand fra cisternen ved Betlehems port?" 2. Sam. 23, 13-17. Betlehem var på dette tidspunkt i filisternes hænder, men tre af Davids tapre krigere banede sig vej gennem vagtmandskabet og bragte deres herre en drik vand fra Betlehem. Men David kunne ikke få sig selv til at drikke det. "Herren vogte mig for at gøre det! Skulle jeg drikke de mænds blod, som har vovet deres liv!" Derpå udgød Han ærbødigt vandet som et offer til Gud. David havde været kriger og havde tilbragt en stor del af sit liv på slagmarken, men få er blevet præget så lidt af krigens forhærdende og demoraliserende indflydelse som han.