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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 Samuel 23:1 - 23:7
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David's Last Prophetic Song
v. 1. Now, these be the last words of David. David, the son of Jesse, said, he uttered a divine, oracular saying based on immediate inspiration, and the man who was raised up on high, from his lowly position as the son of a shepherd, the anointed of the God of Jacob, who had the royal dignity conferred on him by God, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, he who was pleasant in the praise-songs of Israel, said, all in the power of the Holy Spirit,
v. 2. The spirit of the Lord spake by me, using him as His instrument to convey the divine truths to men, in his writings and psalms, and His Word was in my tongue, for the Spirit acts through the Word.
v. 3. The God of Israel said, He who chose Israel for His possession, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He who is unchangeable, faithful, and trustworthy, he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God, literally, "a ruler over men just, a ruler in the fear of God" (there will be), that is, such a Ruler would arise whose rule would be exercised in the fear of God.
v. 4. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. The picture is that of a cloudless, beautiful morning after a night of ram, when all the plants, refreshed with moisture, respond to the coaxing warmth of the sunlight. That is the character of the Messianic period, such are the conditions following the coming of the promised King.
v. 5. Although my house be not so with God (the sentence is a question, like 2Sa_7:18, expressing David's surprise over the goodness of God which was shown to his family), yet He hath made with me an ever lasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, 2Sa_7:12 ff. the declaration of God ordering and arranging all things beyond the possibility of overthrow; for this is all my salvation and all my desire, the salvation promised by God being a constant source of pleasure to David, although he make it not to grow, literally, "Should He not make it sprout?" Messiah would surely be a righteous Branch, who would reign and prosper, Jer_23:5; Jer_33:15. The contrast between this excellent condition and the judgment upon the ungodly is now brought out.
v. 6. But the sons of Belial, the godless, vain, and worthless scoundrels, shall be all of them as thorns thrust away because they cannot be taken with hands, they are so hurtful and dangerous that one does not take his bare hands to handle them, but uses tools;
v. 7. but the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear, in order to avoid all contact with them; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place, so that there will be an end to them. The reference is to the final judgment upon the godless and unbelievers, Mat_13:30. Note: The first part of this prophecy is fulfilled. The wonderful grace of God in Christ Jesus has appeared to all men, the dawn of the Messianic day has come. All believers enjoy the light and the warmth of the grace of Jesus Christ, both in life and in death, and therefore bring forth, as long as they live, fruits of righteousness, to the honor and praise of God.