2 Samuel 23:15David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"
The setting
Cave of Adullam, Israel, ~1000 BC. David is hiding from Saul, surrounded by outcasts and fugitives. He sees Bethlehem in the distance, now occupied by Philistines...
The emotion here: homesick and vulnerable as an exiled king
The original word
kāsaph (כָּסַף) — to long intensely, like silver refined by fire
Why it matters
Bethlehem's well was the town's main water source, located near the gate where elders met
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Samuel 23:15
David could SEE his hometown from the cave — it was only 6 miles away but unreachable
Common misconceptionPeople think David was just thirsty, but this was about longing for home and simpler times when he was a shepherd boy, not a hunted king.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Samuel 23:15
Bible Genome reading
2 Samuel 23:15 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Samuel 23:15 comes from the book of 2 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is lonely, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include longing, homesickness. Notable phrases: David longed; water of the well of Bethlehem.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same lonely
“At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why h…”
— Mark 15:34
“Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house."”
— Mark 6:4
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?" That is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me…”
— Matthew 27:46
“Yahweh God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."”
— Genesis 2:18
“I am a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.”
— Job 30:29
Your reflection
What does 2 Samuel 23:15 mean to you, today?
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