2 Samuel 23:1-7

David's Last Words

1 These are the last words of David: The proclamation of David son of Jesse, the proclamation of the man raised on high,^[a] the one anointed by the God of Jacob,^[b] the favorite singer of Israel:

2 The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me, His word was on my tongue.^[c]

3 The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, "The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,^[d]

4 is like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, the glisten of rain on sprouting grass."

5 Is it not true my house is with God? For He has established an everlasting covenant with me, ordered and secured in every [detail].^[e] Will He not bring about my whole salvation and [my] every desire?

6 But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside; they can never be picked up by hand.

7 The man who touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear. They will be completely burned up on the spot.

2 Samuel 23:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 23

In this chapter are recorded the last words of David under a divine inspiration, 2Sa 23:1-7; and an account is given of his great men, famous for warlike exploits, particularly of three mighty men who did very marvellous things, 2Sa 23:8-17; and of two others next unto them, which belonged to another class of three, 2Sa 23:18-23; and then of thirty one more, 2Sa 23:24-39; who are all mentioned by name.

Footnotes

• [a] Or raised up by the high [God]
• [b] 1 Sm 16:12-13; Ps 89:20
• [c] Mt 22:43
• [d] Ps 72:1-3; Isa 11:1-5
• [e] 2 Sm 7:12-16; Ps 89:29; Isa 55:3