2 Samuel 23:1-7

1 These are the last words of David: "Here is the declaration by David, son of Jesse-- the declaration by the man whom God raised up, whom the God of Jacob anointed, the singer of Israel's psalms:

2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me. His words were on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, 'The one who rules humans with justice rules with the fear of God.

4 He is like the morning light as the sun rises, like a morning without clouds, like the brightness after a rainstorm. The rain makes the grass grow from the earth.'

5 "Truly, God considers my house to be that way, because he has made a lasting promise to me, with every detail arranged and assured. [He promised] everything that helps me, everything that pleases me. Truly, he makes these things happen.

6 "Worthless people are like thorns. All of them are thrown away, because they cannot be picked by hand.

7 A person who touches them uses iron [tools] or the shaft of a spear. Fire will burn them up completely wherever they are."

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.