Why did David desire specifically water from the well of Beis Lechem?
Rashi, citing Bava Kama 60b: He wanted to ask a question 1 to the Sanhedrin sitting in Beis Lechem. 2
Radak: That water was cold (this is Kli Yakar's text of Radak) and good. It was harvest season (summer), like it says, and then one desires cold water due to the heat. Perhaps there was no good water in the fortress in which David was.
Bar Kapara (in Yerushalmi Sanhedrin 12b): It was Sukos; he wanted the water for Nisuch ha'Mayim. Radak - David made a Bamah; Bamos were permitted at the time.
Rav Huna (in Yerushalmi Sanhedrin 12b): He wanted to know Halachos of captives (of the seven nations, whether one must kill them, or if one may keep them alive).
R. Shimon bar Rebbi (in Yerushalmi Sanhedrin 12b): He desired to know [the place] to build the Beis ha'Mikdash.
Malbim: Since David used to live near Beis Lechem, he was used to that water.
Bava Kama 60b: He wanted to know whether one who lit a fire is liable for something concealed that was burned, or if may use others' money (burn stacks in which Pelishtim were hiding) to save himself, or if he may feed his animal from barley of Yisraelim, on condition that he will pay with lentils.
Radak (16): This is astounding. This was in Me'aras Adulam. How do Chazal equate it to the episode of the field in Efes Damim?!
