The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:6-7
The sons of Belial; Hebrew, belial ; not a proper name, but a word signifying "worthlessness," and especially vicious worthlessness (see note on 1 Samuel 1:16 ). It is from this worthlessness that opposition arises to the just king, and he recognizes it as that which thwarts his efforts. The words may be rendered ― "But the ungodly are as thorns, to be all of them thrust away; For they may not be taken hold of with the hand. And the man that would touch them Must arm himself with... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:5
Comfort from the everlasting covenant. David, as he approached the close of life, had this vision ( 2 Samuel 23:2-7 ) of the just king, and the happiness which would attend his reign. It reminded him of what ought to have been the character of his own rule, and what might have been its blessedness. The perfect realization of the picture by himself and his subjects was not, indeed, possible; but the actual condition of things was not inevitable. He knew that he himself had largely... read more