2 Samuel 23:1

Translations

Modern

These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:

Traditional

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,

Literal

And these are the last words of David: “An utterance of David son of Jesse, and a declaration of the mighty man who was exalted on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:

Latin

Hæc autem sunt verba David novissima. Dixit David filius Isai: Dixit vir, cui constitutum est de christo Dei Jacob, egregius psaltes Israël:

Original

Hebrew

English

These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:

Notes

2 Samuel 23:1

David's last words were not necessarily his final spoken words (see 1 Kings 1:16, 29–30, 33–35; 2:1–9). They were his last public act of worship to God as king (compare 1 Samuel 12:1–25).
The oracle of David: The language shows he was about to deliver an oracle, a message from God (2 Samuel 23:2).
the sweet psalmist of Israel: For other mentions of David as a musician and poet, see 1 Chronicles 23:5; 2 Chronicles 29:26, 27; Nehemiah 12:36; Amos 6:5.

2 Samuel 23:1–7

This passage comes from the end of David’s career and reflects on his experience as king, even as 2 Samuel 22 reflects on his experience before becoming king.

2 Samuel 21:1–24:25

The final chapters of 2 Samuel form a coda (a concluding section). This section brings together and summarizes the main themes from earlier chapters.

These chapters are thematic, not chronological (arranged by topic, not by time). Because of this, not all the events happened at the end of David’s reign (for example, 2 Samuel 22:1).

The material is arranged using a common Hebrew literary pattern called a chiasm (a mirror-like structure). In a chiasm, the first and last sections match, and the middle section is the focus.

The structure of this chiasm is as follows:

A: Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 21:1–14)
- B: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 21:15–22)
  - C: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 22:1–51)
  - C′: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 23:1–7)
- B′: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 23:8–39)
A′: David’s sin involving the census and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 24:1–25)

A chiasm draws attention to the center section. Here, the center is David’s hymns. These hymns do not focus on David himself. Instead, they focus on David’s God.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Events

Reign of David

Related verses

1 Samuel 16:12–13
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
Psalm 89:20
I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.
Psalm 78:70–71
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
2 Samuel 7:8–9
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Luke 24:44
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
1 Chronicles 16:9
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders.
2 Peter 1:13–15
I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body,
Psalm 2:6
“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”
1 Chronicles 16:7
On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:
Amos 6:5
You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.
1 Samuel 2:10
Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Jesse: Father of King David

Glossary

Psalms, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Captain: David's Captains, or Chief Heroes Courage: Personal Bravery: David's Captains David: King of Israel: Last Words of David: King of Israel: Lists of his Heroes, and of Their Exploits Shimei: A Benjamite: Curses David; David's Magnanimity Toward

2 Samuel 23:1

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