2 Samuel 23:1-8

1 Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son of Jesse, the oracle of the man whom God exalted, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the favorite of the Strong One of Israel:

2 The spirit of the Lord speaks through me, his word is upon my tongue.

3 The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God,

4 is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land

5 Is not my house like this with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. Will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?

6 But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up with the hand;

7 to touch them one uses an iron bar or the shaft of a spear. And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot.

8 These are the names of the warriors whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the Three; he wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.

2 Samuel 23:1-8 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]. Q Ms: MT [who was raised on high]
• [b]. Heb [But worthlessness]
• [c]. Heb [in sitting]
• [d]. Gk Vg Compare 1 Chr 11.11: Meaning of Heb uncertain
• [e]. 1 Chr 11.11: Meaning of Heb uncertain