2 Samuel 23:1-8

1 Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Yishai says, The man who was raised on high says, The anointed of the God of Ya`akov, The sweet psalmist of Yisra'el:

2 The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, His word was on my tongue.

3 The God of Yisra'el said, The Rock of Yisra'el spoke to me: One who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,

4 [He shall be] as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, [When] the tender grass [springs] out of the eretz, Through clear shining after rain

5 Most assuredly my house is not so with God; Yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things, and sure: For it is all my salvation, and all [my] desire, Although he doesn't make it grow.

6 But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, Because they can't be taken with the hand

7 But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear: They shall be utterly burned with fire in [their] place

8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Yoshev-Bashshevet a Tachkemonite, chief of the captains; the same was `Adino the Etznite, against eight hundred slain 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.