David’s Last Words: Part 1

We are now privileged to hear a portion of David’s last words in scripture, starting in 2 Samuel 23 and then into 24. In this study, we will focus our time on chapter 23. Of which reads, ¹“now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, the Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 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. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.” (2 Samuel 23:1-5) And before he spoke, the person who addresses David said he was raised up on high, anointed by God to be king, and the sweet psalmist of Israel. And these are things that people remembered about David. God did have a plan for David since the beginning. He may not have been perfect and upright before the Lord, but he continued to seek Him till the end of his days. And now we have his life history in scripture, and more importantly the book of Psalms. This one book of the Bible has changed my life to repent and look to Jesus in faith. The lord is my light, and this is because of the Spirit that is felt and made known when reading this amazing book.

After being introduced by this man in scripture, David did speak. And when he did, the Holy Spirit was upon him. Therefore, what He said was not him, but God speaking through his tongue. This is amazing and tells me that God was still doing a wonderful work through David, even in his later years in life. It is then recorded that the God of Israel is also the Rock of Israel, who we now know as Christ. He is just and rules in the fear of God, His Father. He is the light of the world, even like the sun, when it rises. He shines bright like the morning sun without clouds, in order to light up our day and our life. God also causes the grass to spring forth and shine after rainfall. This is because His light warms the ground and causes the grass to spring forth. David then acknowledges that he sinned before God, but still God made an everlasting covenant with him. He saw through his sins and gave him and extended His mercy upon him. God sets things in order and breathes new life into those that believe in Him. The Lord God is his salvation, whom He loveth and desireth to be with. Although David did not see his seed grow and flourish, Jesus is from the root of David. He is our Savior and the one person that caused his seed to grow forth forevermore. David was a great example of faith and a person who sought after the Lord in the good times and the bad. He acknowledged his sins and prayed for mercy that God would forgive Him. May we also go forth in faith and continue to seek the Lord Jesus in prayer often, and in His word daily. Then go forth and do as He says also.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will all be like David and be open to confess our sins before You. We are all sinners and need Your blood to cover us, and I pray that more people will desire to come unto You in prayer. Help people know that there is mercy and grace for them that repent and draw near unto You. I know this to be true, for You have extended Your hand of mercy upon my life, even after all I had done against You. I was very wicked in the lusts of my flesh, but still You saw past all of that I had done and gave me another chance, just as You did for David. You heard my cries and Your compassion never failed me. You continued to lead me back home, even the times I would fall flat on my face. I may not have had Your armor to build me up yet, but still You picked me up each time and put me back on my feet again. It was You, God, that kept coming after me, which gave me hope and peace for my life ahead. I knew that I was not alone anymore, for You were going to be by my side all my days. If I am strengthened now and have Your armor to lead me from temptation, it is because You have built me up. Your mercy and forgiveness has caused me to know what You have taught in scripture and live for You also. And because my love for You has now grown like a son to my Father in heaven, I do not wish to hurt You anymore. All I wish is that You are happy about my life and are leading it now, not myself. When the end of my days come, I hope people remember that You were my rock my firm foundation. That You are my Savior, my God, and my best friend. Oh, how I love You, Lord. All I want to do is praise You. May the way I live my life honor You and give You great glory. Amen.

2 Samuel 23

¹2 Samuel 23 (KJV)
1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
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.
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.
13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.
17 And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.
22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
37 Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

Here is a LINK to Part 2 of this message.