Neville Goddard on 2 Samuel 23:13-17 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read 2 Samuel 23 in context

Scripture Focus

13And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

14And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

15And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.

17And 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.

2 Samuel 23:13-17

Biblical Context

Three mighty men risk their lives to fetch water for David; he refuses to drink it and pours it out to the LORD, honoring the sacrifice behind the gift.

Neville's Inner Vision

Longing is a scene in consciousness where you imagine the Bethlehem well as a present possibility. The three mighty men symbolize three steadfast states—courage, loyalty, and gratitude—breaking through the Philistine host of doubt to bring the precious water. David’s longing is not merely craving; it is an opportunity to align sensation with awareness. He does not drink the water; instead, he pours it out to the LORD, recognizing that the life behind the offering comes from a higher consciousness. In Neville terms, the water represents a fulfilled wish already contained within the I AM, not something to chase outward. The act of pouring it out is a revision: the true power is not in clinging to the desire, but in acknowledging the source of its energy. True worship is the courageous letting of the longing into alignment with the divine, accompanied by gratitude for the offerings of the self. When this inner sacrifice is held, the outer world manifests the harmony that was already present in consciousness, without strain or lack.

Practice This Now

Practice: In a quiet moment, visualize the well by the gate of Bethlehem and invite three inner states—courage, fidelity, and reverence—to cross through distractions and fetch the water. Then pour the blessing back to the LORD, feeling gratitude as if the desired good is already yours.