9
Now all the rest were at supper,
10
but the king was extremely thirsty, and though 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.
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But David, though 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.
17
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.