7
David had been attacking the Philistines all day long, and together with the soldiers of his nation had slain many of them.
8
Then when evening fell, he came, sweating and quite exhausted, to the royal tent, around which the whole army of our ancestors had encamped.
9
Now all the rest were at supper,
10
but the king was extremely thirsty, and although springs were plentiful there, he could not satisfy his thirst from them.
11
But a certain irrational desire for the water in the enemy's territory tormented and inflamed him, undid and consumed him.
12
When his guards complained bitterly because of the king's craving, two staunch young soldiers, respecting the king's desire, armed themselves fully, and taking a pitcher climbed over the enemy's ramparts.
13
Eluding the sentinels at the gates, they went searching throughout the enemy camp
14
and found the spring, and from it boldly brought the king a drink.
15
But David, although he was burning with thirst, considered it an altogether fearful danger to his soul to drink what was regarded as equivalent to blood.
16
Therefore, opposing reason to desire, he poured out the drink as an offering to God.
17
For the temperate mind can conquer the drives of the emotions and quench the flames of frenzied desires;