2 Samuel 23:15
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate! And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate!
David spoke these words while hiding in the cave of Adullam when Bethlehem was held by the Philistines, out of physical thirst, even being faint with thirst. Three of his men broke through danger and risked their lives to bring him the water. He refused to drink it because they had endangered their lives for him, regarding it as too sacred to drink and as if drinking their blood. Instead he poured it out as a sacred offering to God. His refusal showed reverence for human life placed in danger for his sake, and proved that a life spent amid violence had not hardened him.
Though faint with thirst, even fear of death could not make him accept it, which illustrates the power of firm religious principle to govern a person under pressure. His thirst illustrates spiritual thirst, a longing for spiritual drink and a deeper knowledge of God and for divine instruction. With that same longing, those under false teachers need to turn from them and seek divine instruction.
The draught from the well pictures the light and truth in the message for the last days offered to God's people, and those who failed to receive it lost the opportunity to take their place in God's work and help advance it. The well supplies an image of spiritual refreshment and blessing, a rich draught experienced when the light and glory of Jesus are present and the Spirit comes upon believers. The well's water is an image of spiritual refreshment and victory in God, a rich, full draught after fierce conflict with the enemy.