2 Samuel 23:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1-7

We have here the last will and testament of king David, or a codicil annexed to it, after he had settled the crown upon Solomon and his treasures upon the temple which was to be built. The last words of great and good men are thought worthy to be in a special manner remarked and remembered. David would have those taken notice of, and added either to his Psalms (as they are here to that in the foregoing chapter) or to the chronicles of his reign. Those words especially in 2 Sam. 23:5; though... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1

Now these be the last words of David ,.... Which refer not to the psalm in the preceding chapter, but to what follows; not the last words he spoke, for he said many things afterwards; for the advice he gave to Solomon, and the instructions to him about building the temple, were delivered after this time; but these were the last after he had finished the book of Psalms; or the last that he spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, or that he delivered out by way of prophecy; though... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:1

These be the last words of David - I suppose the last poetical composition is here intended. He might have spoken many words after these in prose, but none in verse. Other meanings are given; this I prefer. The words of this song contain a glorious prediction of the Messiah's kingdom and conquests, in highly poetic language. The sweet psalmist of Israel - This character not only belonged to him as the finest poet in Israel, but as the finest and most Divine poet of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1

EXPOSITION Now these be the last words of David. A long interval separates this psalm from the preceding. The one was written when David had just reached the zenith of his power, and, when still unstained by foul crime, he could claim God's favour as due to his innocence. These last words were David's latest inspired utterance, written, probably, towards the end of the calm period which followed upon his restoration to his throne, and when time and the sense of God's renewed favour... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1-3

( JERUSALEM .) David's last words. [The closing years of David's life (after the insurrection of Sheba was subdued, 2 Samuel 20:1-26 .) were spent in peace. Having secured a site for the altar ( 2 Samuel 24:25 ; 1 Chronicles 21:28 ), he made preparations for the building of the temple ( 1 Chronicles 22:1-19 .). At length his strength began to fail; but, when made acquainted with the conspiracy of Adonijah, he displayed something of his former energy in hastening the accession... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1-7

The fruitful lessons of David's last words. The facts are: 1 . There is a statement that these are the last words of David, who is spoken of in a fourfold respect. 2 . It is affirmed that the utterance which follows is expressly by the Spirit of God. 3 . The true ruler is described as one who is just and one fearing God; and the effects of his government are compared to the light of a bright morning, and the tender grass after rain. 4 . David affirms that his house is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1-7

( Matthew 1:1 ) The son of Jesse, and the Son of David. The relation of David to Jesus, regarded in the light of prophecy and history, was one of: 1 . Hereditary connection; inasmuch as he not only belonged to the tribe of Judah ( Genesis 49:10 ; Hebrews 7:14 ; Revelation 5:5 ) and the house of Jesse the Bethlehemite ( Isaiah 11:1 ), but was ancestor of Jesus ( Matthew 1:16 ; Luke 3:23 ); who was thus legal heir to "the throne of his father David," and was born in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1-7

The righteous Ruler. David, in his last days, like Jacob and Moses, received the spirit of prophecy, and was thus enabled to predict the coming of the perfect King, sprung from himself; the blessings of his reign, and his triumph over his enemies. These "last words" of his are, indeed, regarded by some as primarily a description of what a ruler of men should be, and as only secondarily, if at all, relating to the Christ. Our Authorized Version favours this interpretation by introducing in ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 23:1

The last words of David - i. e., his last Psalm, his last “words of song” 2 Samuel 22:1. The insertion of this Psalm, which is not in the Book of Psalms, was probably suggested by the insertion of the long Psalm in 2 Samuel 22:0.David the son of Jesse said ... - The original word for “said” is used between 200 and 300 times in the phrase, “saith the Lord,” designating the word of God in the mouth of the prophet. It is only applied to the words of a man here, and in the strikingly similar... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 23:1

2 Samuel 23:1. These be the last words of David Not simply the last that he spoke, but the last which he spake by the Spirit of God, assisting and directing him in an extraordinary manner. When we find death approaching, we should endeavour both to honour God, and to profit others with our last words. Let those who have had experience of God’s goodness, and the pleasantness of the ways of wisdom, when they come to finish their course, leave a record of those experiences, and bear their... read more

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