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but the king was extremely thirsty, and although springs were plentiful there, he could not satisfy his thirst from them.
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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
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and found the spring, and from it boldly brought the king a drink.
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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.
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Therefore, opposing reason to desire, he poured out the drink as an offering to God.
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For the temperate mind can conquer the drives of the emotions and quench the flames of frenzied desires;
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it can overthrow bodily agonies even when they are extreme, and by nobility of reason spurn all domination by the emotions.
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The present occasion now invites us to a narrative demonstration of temperate reason.
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At a time when our fathers were enjoying profound peace because of their observance of the law and were prospering, so that even Seleucus Nicanor, king of Asia, had both appropriated money to them for the temple service and recognized their commonwealth --