2 Samuel 23:15

And Dauid longed, and said, Oh that one would giue mee drinke of the water of the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate. 2 Samuel 23:15 (KJV)

There is no biblical verse that reads “And David longed, and said, Oh, that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” This quotation does not appear in 2 Samuel 23:8‑39 or anywhere else in Scripture. The passage 2 Samuel 23:8‑39 is indeed commonly referred to as “David’s Mighty Men,” but it consists solely a list of David’s elite warriors and brief accounts of their heroic deeds. It contains no reference to a well in Bethlehem or to David expressing a desire for water. Since the quoted verse is not part of the biblical text, any discussion of David’s longing for water from the Bethlehem well, including suggested symbolic meanings, is unfounded.

The quoted text specifies that the well David longs for is located by the gate of Bethlehem. This detail emphasizes the specific location of the well and provides clear context for David’s request. The verse begins with David’s heartfelt desire for a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem. The broader passage in 2 Samuel 23:8‑39 highlights the heroic feats of David’s mighty men. It describes the exploits of David’s most valiant and loyal warriors. These warriors were renowned for their courage, loyalty, and dedication to protecting David and his kingdom.

The chapter remains valuable for its portrayal of the loyalty and bravery of David’s mighty men, but it does not provide the theological or spiritual illustration presented in the original article.