2 Samuel 23:2-7

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 23:2

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me ,.... The psalms and songs he composed were not the fruits of his own genius, but were written by him under the inspiration of the Spirit of God; by whom holy men of God, the penmen of the Scriptures, spoke, even as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, of whom David was one, being a prophet; see Acts 1:16 Acts 2:30 ; so the Targum here,"David spoke by the spirit of prophecy of the Lord:'or spake "in me" F8 בי "in me", Montanus, Junius &... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:3

The God of Israel said ,.... To David, or by him; he who was the covenant God of Israel literally considered, and is the covenant God and Father of the whole spiritual Israel, and who is owned, believed in, and worshipped by them: the Rock of Israel spake to me ; the same with the God of Israel in other words, who is the strength and security of Israel; or the second divine Person, the Son and Word of God, is meant, who is often called a rock in Scripture; and is the rock on which the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:4

And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds ,.... That is, such a ruler that rules in righteousness, and in the fear of God; he is the light and glory of his people, who guides and directs them, makes them cheerful and comfortable; his administrations are pleasant and delightful, and promise a growing and increasing happiness to them, like the morning light and rising sun; and there are no clouds, nor forebodings of dark times,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:5

Although my house be not so with God ,.... So bright, and flourishing, and prosperous as the government of the just ruler before described; or is not "right" F13 לא כן "non recta", Cocceius. with God, meaning his family, in which great sins were committed, and great disorders and confusions brought into it, as the cases of Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah showed; or "not firm" or "stable" F14 "Non est re firma", Vitringa in Jesaiam, c. xi. 1. , through the rebellion of one, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:6

But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away ,.... Not like the tender grass that springs up, and flourishes after rain, and the sunshine upon that; but like thorns, useless, hurtful, and pernicious, and fit only for burning: this is true of wicked men in general, that cast off the yoke of the Lord, and become unprofitable, as Belial signifies; and of wicked governors in particular, who, instead of being helpful, are harmful to a commonwealth; and instead of being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:7

But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear ,.... To remove these thorns, or sons of Belial, out of the way, or to defend himself against them; or weapons of war must be made use of to conquer and destroy them, according to the sense of Ben Gersom, and which De Dieu follows; a man that meddles with them must expect to be as much hurt and wounded by them, all over the body, as if not only the point or iron head of a spear, but the wood or handle of... read more

Adam Clarke

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

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me - Hence the matter of his writing came by direct and immediate inspiration. His word was in my tongue - Hence the words of this writing were as directly inspired as the matter. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:3

The Rock of Israel - The Fountain whence Israel was derived. He that ruleth over men must be just - More literally, צדיק באדם מושל moshel baadam tsaddik , He that ruleth in man is the just one; or, The just one is the ruler among men. Ruling in the fear of God - It is by God's fear that Jesus Christ rules the hearts of all his followers; and he who has not the fear of God before his eyes, can never be a Christian. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 23:4

He shall be as the light of the morning - This verse is very obscure, for it does not appear from it who the person is of whom the prophet speaks. As the Messiah seems to be the whole subject of these last words of David, he is probably the person intended. One of Dr. Kennicott's MSS. Supplies the word יהוה Yehovah ; and he therefore translates, As the light of the morning ariseth Jehovah (see below) He shall be the Sun of righteousness, bringing salvation in his rays,... read more

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