2 Samuel 23:1-7

David’s Last Words

1 These are the last words of David: “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs:

2 “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,

4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

5 “If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.

6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand.

7 Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.”

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.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 11:3; 2 Samuel 7:8-9; Psalms 78:70-71; Psalms 89:27
• 2. 1 Samuel 2:10,35; Psalms 18:50; Psalms 20:6; Psalms 84:9; Isaiah 45:1; Habakkuk 3:13; 1 Samuel 16:12-13; Psalms 89:20
• 3. Matthew 22:43; Mark 12:36; 2 Peter 1:21
• 4. Deuteronomy 32:4; S 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalms 18:31; 2 Samuel 22:2,32
• 5. Psalms 72:2
• 6. S Genesis 42:18
• 7. 2 Chronicles 19:7,9; Isaiah 11:1-5
• 8. John 1:5
• 9. Psalms 119:147; Psalms 130:6; Proverbs 4:18
• 10. S Judges 5:31; Psalms 89:36; Matthew 13:43
• 11. S Deuteronomy 32:2
• 12. S Genesis 9:16; Psalms 89:29; Isaiah 55:3
• 13. Isaiah 5:6; Isaiah 9:18; Isaiah 10:17; Isaiah 27:4; Isaiah 33:12; Micah 7:4; Nahum 1:10; Matthew 13:40-41