David’s Last Words
April 5, 2022
Commentary
The list of David’s mighty men is introduced by a short poem (vv. 1–7) known as David’s last words. In the first stanza (v. 1), David identifies himself as “the son of Jesse,” a simple farmer from Bethlehem. David was never ashamed of his background. God lifted him “up on high” and placed him among the great men of the world, as one “anointed by the God of Jacob.” This is the same God who saved David, and the same God who saves us today.
David’s awareness of being God’s instrument is clear in the second stanza (vv. 2–4). He acknowledged that the LORD had spoken to him and through him (v. 2). The Spirit came upon David, just as He did upon those who wrote the Old Testament. Peter explains that Scripture was written as men were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2PE 1:20–21). David declares that “one who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” (v. 3). Sadly, many decisions in government today, regardless of party, are not made in the fear of God. A king who rules as God’s servant is compared to the brightness of the sun on a clear morning and to light after rain (v. 4).
In the third stanza (vv. 5–7), David reflects on the covenant God made with him. God promised an everlasting commitment to David and his house (2SA 7:8–16). This covenant secured David’s future by God’s grace. In contrast, evil men are described as thorns to be removed and judged (MAT 13:30, 41). David’s message is humble and clear: “My house is not worthy of this.” What he received did not come by merit, but by God’s faithful grace alone, reminding us to depend fully on God’s promises, mercy, and unchanging faithfulness in every season.
Application
Am I humble about where God has brought me from? Do I listen for God’s voice and fear Him in my choices? Am I trusting His promises for my future? How can I honor God now with gratitude, obedience, and quiet faithfulness? I should reflect on how God has worked in my life by grace, not merit.
2 Samuel 23:1–7 (NET)
1 These are the final words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised up as the ruler chosen by the God of Jacob, Israel’s beloved singer of songs:
2 The Lord’s Spirit spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke, the Protector of Israel spoke to me. The one who rules fairly among men, the one who rules in the fear of God,
4 is like the light of morning when the sun comes up, a morning in which there are no clouds. He is like the brightness after rain that produces grass from the earth.
5 My dynasty is approved by God, for he has made a perpetual covenant with me, arranged in all its particulars and secured. He always delivers me, and brings all I desire to fruition.
6 But evil people are like thorns— all of them are tossed away, for they cannot be held in the hand.
7 The one who touches them must use an iron instrument or the wooden shaft of a spear. They are completely burned up right where they lie!”
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