2 Samuel 23:4

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 23:4

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:3-4

He that ruleth, etc. This rendering of the Hebrew is very beautiful, and fit to be graven on the hearts of rulers. There is often almost an inspiration in the renderings of the Authorized Version. Grammatically, nevertheless, the psalm declares the blessedness of the king who is just, and may be translated as follows:— "He that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God— And as the morning light shall he be, when the sun riseth, A morning without clouds; Yea, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:3-7

An oracle concerning the King Messiah. 1 . The hope of salvation, and more especially of the establishment of the kingdom of heaven upon earth, was, in some measure, fulfilled in the reign of David, the Lord's messiah. In his character as theocratic ruler he was a type (prefigurement or anticipatory outline) of Christ ( 1 Samuel 2:10 ). "The type is prophecy in deed." 2 . Under Divine inspiration, he formed an ideal of a theocratic ruler, in connection with his own personality... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 23:4

Comparisons illustrating the prosperity of the righteous king. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 23:4

2 Samuel 23:4. He shall be as the light of the morning These words are a further description of the king’s duty, which is not only to rule with justice and piety, but also with sweetness, and gentleness, and condescension to the infirmities of his people; to render his government as acceptable to them as is the sunshine in a clear morning, or the tender grass which springs out of the earth by the warm beams of the sun after the rain. read more

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