2 Samuel 23:1-7

1 David son of Jesse was the man whom God made great, whom the God of Jacob chose to be king, and who was the composer of beautiful songs for Israel. These are David's last words:

2 The spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his message is on my lips.

3 The God of Israel has spoken; the protector of Israel said to me: "The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God,

4 is like the sun shining on a cloudless dawn, the sun that makes the grass sparkle after rain.

5 And that is how God will bless my descendants, because he has made an eternal covenant with me, an agreement that will not be broken, a promise that will not be changed. That is all I desire; that will be my victory, and God will surely bring it about.

6 But godless people are like thorns that are thrown away; no one can touch them barehanded.

7 You must use an iron tool or a spear; they will be burned completely.

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] [Verses 6-7 in Hebrew are unclear.]