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 warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. 
- 2 Samuel 23:15-16
 
These men risked their lives to get David a drink of water. And they did so boldly. They didn’t sneak through the lines at night or go the long way around and approach the lines from the rear. Instead, they “broke through the lines.”
 
Why would anyone risk their lives to get someone a drink of water?
 
Try on some answers …
 
Perhaps it was a life-and-death situation. Maybe David needed the water urgently or he would die. Maybe they saved his life. How would you know whether or not this was a sound theory?
 
Maybe these men were just reckless fools drunk on bloodlust and ready for any excuse to charge the enemy army. The assault could have been fueled by testosterone and ego, with no bigger meaning behind it. How would you know whether or not this was a sound theory?
 
Maybe these “mighty warriors” were fighting FOR David’s spirit and the morale of the army rather than just AGAINST the Philistine line. Perhaps they took a calculated risk that a symbolic victory could give everyone hope for the days ahead. How would you know whether or not this was a sound theory?
 
Good Bible readers will float and test theories as to why things are happening in the text and why people say and do the things they do. If you want more than a surface-level reading of the Bible and more than a surface-level relationship with God, you’d be wise to build these muscles.
 
Here are some tools that can help:

• Brainstorm theories … try to come up with 3 or 4 that could explain the text
• Look at the context … reading a little bit before and after the passage can sometimes give you a clearer understanding of the motivations
• Discuss with a buddy … the process of articulating what you’re reading and thinking can sometimes create space for new insights
• Pray … the Holy Spirit can use all of the above to guide you deeper into truth and, ultimately, deeper into relationship with him

 
Don’t be a passive Bible reader. Take some time to dig. Try one or all of the tools above and see what you discover.