Exodus 17:2

“Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, etc.] Contended with him by words, expostulating with him in a very angry and indecent manner for bringing them thither; loading him with reproaches and calumnies, wrangling and quarrelling with him, and using him very ill, giving hard words and bad language: and said, give us water, that we may drink; directing their speech both to Moses and Aaron, as the word “give” f538 being in the plural number shows; which was requiring that of them which only God could do and signifying as if they were under obligation to do it for them, since they had brought them out of Egypt, and had the care of them; and having seen so many miracles wrought by them, might…”

“the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink, &c.--The want of water was a privation, the severity of which we cannot estimate, and it was a great trial to the Israelites, but their conduct on this new occasion was outrageous; it amounted even to "a tempting of the Lord." It was an opposition to His minister, a distrust of His care, an indifference to His kindness, an unbelief in His providence, a trying of His patience and fatherly forbearance.”

“Tempt the Lord - It is a general characteristic of the Israelites that the miracles, which met each need as it arose, failed to produce a habit of faith: but the severity of the trial, the faintness and anguish of thirst in the burning desert, must not be overlooked in appreciating their conduct. return to 'Top of Page'”

“17:2 testing the Lord is explained in 17:7. They doubted that God was really with them or cared for them, and they demanded that he prove his presence and care. God invites a test based on faith (“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief,” Mark 9:24), but he abhors a test based on doubt (i.e., I don’t believe, and I think God should prove himself to me, as in John 6:30). The test based on doubt makes us the judge and God the defendant.”

“the people: Exo 5:21, Exo 14:11, Exo 14:12, Exo 15:24, Exo 16:2, Exo 16:3; Num 11:4-6, Num 14:2, Num 20:3-5, Num 21:5 Give us: Gen 30:1, Gen 30:2; Sa1 8:6; Luk 15:12 wherefore: Exo 17:7, Exo 16:2; Num 14:22; Deu 6:16; Psa 78:18, Psa 78:41, Psa 78:56, Psa 95:9, Psa 106:14; Isa 7:12; Mal 3:15; Mat 4:7, Mat 16:1-3; Luk 4:12; Act 5:9, Act 15:10; Co1 10:9; Heb 3:9 Exodus 17:3”