1 Chronicles 11:19
New International Version
“God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

New Living Translation
“God forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

English Standard Version
and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

Berean Standard Bible
saying, “Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

King James Bible
And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

New King James Version
And he said, “Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

New American Standard Bible
and he said, “Far be it from me before my God that I would do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For they brought it at the risk of their lives.” Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.

NASB 1995
and he said, “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

NASB 1977
and he said, “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

Legacy Standard Bible
and he said, “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he was not willing to drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

Amplified Bible
and he said, “Far be it from me before my God that I would do this thing! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For they brought it at the risk of their lives.” So he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

Christian Standard Bible
David said, “I would never do such a thing in the presence of my God! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives? ” For they brought it at the risk of their lives. So he would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David said, “I would never do such a thing in the presence of God! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” For they brought it at the risk of their lives. So he would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.

American Standard Version
and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

Contemporary English Version
and said, "Drinking this water would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives to get it for me." The Three Warriors did these brave deeds.

English Revised Version
and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and said, "It's unthinkable that I would do this, God. Should I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives? They had to risk their lives to get this water." So he refused to drink it. These are the things which the three fighting men did.

Good News Translation
and said, "I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives!" So he refused to drink it. These were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers.

International Standard Version
said in response, "May God forbid me to do this! I won't drink the blood of these men, will I? After all, they risked their lives to bring it to me." That's why he wouldn't drink it. The Three Warriors did these things.

Majority Standard Bible
saying, ?Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?? Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

NET Bible
and said, "God forbid that I should do this! Should I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?" Because they risked their lives to bring it to him, he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three elite warriors.

New Heart English Bible
and said, "Far be it from me before my God, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?" For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The Three warriors did these things.

Webster's Bible Translation
And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

World English Bible
and said, “My God forbid me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?” For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and says, “Far be it from me, by my God, to do this; do I drink the blood of these men with their lives? For with their lives they have brought it”; and he was not willing to drink it; these [things] the three mighty ones did.

Young's Literal Translation
and saith, 'Far be it from me, by my God, to do this; the blood of these men do I drink with their lives? for with their lives they have brought it;' and he was not willing to drink it; these things did the three mighty ones.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Far be it to me from my God from doing this: shall I drink the blood of these men with their souls? for with their souls they brought them. And he would not drink them. These did the three strong ones.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Saying: God forbid that I should do this in the sight of my God, and should drink the blood of these men: for with the danger of their lives they have brought me the water. And therefore he would not drink. These things did the three most valiant.

Catholic Public Domain Version
saying: “Far be it from me, that I would do this in the sight of my God, and that I would drink the blood of these men. For at the peril of their own lives, they brought the water to me.” And for this reason, he was not willing to drink. The three most powerful accomplished these things.

New American Bible
saying, “God forbid that I should do such a thing! Could I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” So he refused to drink it. Such deeds as these the Three warriors performed.

New Revised Standard Version
and said, “My God forbid that I should do this. Can I drink the blood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. The three warriors did these things.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And said, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing in the presence of my God; for these men went forth with the jeopardy of their lives. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three valiant men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said: “God forbid me from LORD JEHOVAH that I would do this before my God! These men went out, they went by the blood of their throats!” And he was not willing to drink them. These things the three men did.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and said: 'My God forbid it me, that I should do this; shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it.' Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
God forbid that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men with their lives? for with the peril of their lives they brought it. So he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Mighty Men
18So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD, 19saying, “Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men. 20Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 23:17
saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

2 Samuel 23:15-16
David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” / So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,

1 Chronicles 11:17-18
David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” / So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,

1 Chronicles 11:15-16
Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. / At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 11:20-21
Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Mark 14:36
“Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

Luke 22:42
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

John 4:34
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.

John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

Philippians 2:6-8
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

Hebrews 5:7-8
During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. / Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.

1 Samuel 26:11
But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

1 Samuel 24:6
So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”

1 Samuel 24:10
Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’


Treasury of Scripture

And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

My God

2 Samuel 23:17
And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

1 Kings 21:3
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.

Romans 6:1,2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? …

shall I

Leviticus 17:10
And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

Job 31:31
If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

Psalm 72:14
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

Romans 16:4
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

in jeopardy

Judges 5:18
Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.

Judges 9:17
(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

1 Samuel 19:5
For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

These

1 Chronicles 11:12
And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.

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1 Chronicles 11
1. David Becomes King over All Israel
4. Jerusalem
10. David's Mighty Men














Far be it from me before my God to do this
This phrase reflects David's deep reverence and fear of the Lord. The Hebrew root for "far be it" (חָלִילָה, chalilah) conveys a strong sense of abhorrence or prohibition. David's response is not merely a personal decision but a declaration made in the presence of God, indicating his awareness of divine accountability. This highlights the importance of aligning one's actions with God's will, a principle deeply rooted in the conservative Christian perspective that emphasizes living a life that honors God above all.

he said
The act of speaking here is significant. In the Hebrew tradition, words hold power and authority. David's verbal declaration is a public testament to his values and leadership. It underscores the importance of leaders articulating their convictions clearly and courageously, setting an example for others to follow.

Should I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?
The phrase "drink the blood" is a metaphorical expression. In ancient Near Eastern culture, blood symbolizes life (Leviticus 17:11). David equates drinking the water brought by his men to consuming their very lives, emphasizing the gravity of their sacrifice. This metaphor underscores the sanctity of life and the respect owed to those who serve and sacrifice, a principle that resonates with the Christian ethic of valuing human life as created in the image of God.

For they brought it at the risk of their lives
This phrase highlights the bravery and loyalty of David's men. The Hebrew word for "risk" (בְּנַפְשׁוֹתָם, benafshotam) literally means "with their souls," indicating the totality of their commitment. This act of valor is a testament to the bond between David and his warriors, reflecting the biblical theme of covenant loyalty and the call to selfless service, which is central to Christian discipleship.

So he refused to drink it
David's refusal is an act of honor and respect. By not drinking the water, he acknowledges the sacrifice of his men and elevates their act to one of sacred significance. This decision reflects the biblical principle of humility and the recognition that true leadership involves honoring and valuing the contributions of others above personal gain.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty men
The term "mighty men" (גִּבּוֹרִים, gibborim) refers to David's elite warriors, known for their extraordinary feats. This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the importance of community and the collective strength found in unity and shared purpose. In the Christian context, it echoes the call to be part of the body of Christ, where each member plays a vital role in advancing God's kingdom.

(19) Shall I drink the blood of these men?--Literally, the blood of these men should I drink in their lives (souls)?

Their lives appears to be spurious here, as it occurs again immediately, and is read only once in Samuel. David regards the water as blood: it had been obtained at the hazard of life, and "the life is the blood" (Genesis 9:4). The question in Samuel runs: "The blood of the men who went in (= at the risk of) their lives?" The verb seems to have fallen out by accident.

For with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it.--Literally, in their lives. This remark is not found in Samuel, and looks like an explanation of the words, "shall I drink the blood of these men?"

These things did these three mightiest.--Rather, these things did the three mighty men (or, warriors). The Hebrew text of this narrative presents only a few verbal differences from 2Samuel 23:13-17.

Verse 19. - My God forbid it me. Compare the Hebrew of this with that of the expression in the parallel (2 Samuel 23:17), where יְהוָה is found in the place of our מֵךאלֹהַי. It is probable that the preposition nieni is lost from before "Jehovah." Shall I drink the blood, etc.? i.e. the water which has been obtained at the imminent peril of the life of these three brave men (comp. Genesis 4:10, 11; Genesis 9:4-6; John 6:53, 54).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
saying,
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Far be it
חָלִילָה֩ (ḥā·lî·lāh)
Interjection | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it!

from me,
לִּ֨י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

my God,
מֵאֱלֹהַ֜י (mê·’ĕ·lō·hay)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

to do
מֵעֲשׂ֣וֹת (mê·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this!
זֹ֗את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

How can I drink
אֶשְׁתֶּ֤ה (’eš·teh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

the blood
הֲדַ֣ם (hă·ḏam)
Article | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

of these
הָאֵ֨לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

men
הָאֲנָשִׁים֩ (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

who risked their lives?”
בְנַפְשׁוֹתָם֙ (ḇə·nap̄·šō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

Because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they had brought it
הֱבִיא֔וּם (hĕ·ḇî·’ūm)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

at the risk of their lives,
בְנַפְשׁוֹתָ֣ם (ḇə·nap̄·šō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

[David] refused
אָבָ֖ה (’ā·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 14: To breathe after, to be acquiescent

to drink it.
לִשְׁתּוֹתָ֑ם (liš·tō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

Such
אֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

were the exploits
עָשׂ֔וּ (‘ā·śū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

of the three
שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

mighty men.
הַגִּבּוֹרִֽים׃ (hag·gib·bō·w·rîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 11:19 And said My God forbid it me (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
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