2 Samuel 23 Study Notes: David's Last Words and His Mighty Men
In his final poem David says God's Spirit spoke through him, praises the king who rules justly, and rests on God's everlasting covenant with his house. The chapter then honors his bravest warriors, including three who fetched him water from Bethlehem, and ends its roll with Uriah the Hittite.
General
Which of these exploits does 2 Samuel 23 credit to Jehoiada’s son Benaiah?
Answer: He killed a lion down in a pit while snow lay on the ground
Before Benaiah the roll honors Abishai, Joab’s brother, who killed three hundred men with his spear and became commander of the Three while not being counted one of them (23:18-19). Jehoiada’s son Benaiah was a brave warrior with many daring deeds to his name. On a day of snow he went into a pit to slay a lion, and he faced a huge Egyptian with only a club, took the Egyptian’s spear from him, and killed him with it (23:20-21). He received high honor among the Thirty, and David put him in charge of his guard (23:23; 8:18). Benaiah would later serve Solomon as commander of the army (1 Kings 2:35).
- 2 Samuel 23:20-21 (BSB)“And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.”Benaiah’s exploits include killing a lion in a pit on a snowy day and defeating a huge Egyptian with his own spear.
- 2 Samuel 23:23 (BSB)“He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.”Benaiah was honored among the Thirty and given charge of David’s guard.
- 2 Samuel 23:18-19 (BSB)“Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.”Abishai, Joab’s brother, is honored for his spear and set over the Three.
- 2 Samuel 8:18 (BSB)“Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.”Benaiah son of Jehoiada is listed as commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites.
- 1 Kings 2:35 (BSB)“And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.”Solomon later made Benaiah commander of the army.
Theological
Which exploit does the roll of mighty men attribute to Jehoiada’s son Benaiah?
Answer: He killed a lion down in a pit while snow lay on the ground
The roll first honors Abishai, Joab’s brother, who slew three hundred with his spear and commanded the Three without being numbered among them (23:18-19). Jehoiada’s son Benaiah is credited with killing a lion in a pit on a day of snow, and with overcoming a huge Egyptian by snatching the man’s spear and killing him with it (23:20-21). He held high honor among the Thirty and was set over David’s guard (23:23; 8:18), and he later became Solomon’s army commander (1 Kings 2:35).
- 2 Samuel 23:20-21 (BSB)“And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. He also struck down an Egyptian, a huge man. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear.”Benaiah’s exploits include killing a lion in a pit on a snowy day and defeating a huge Egyptian with his own spear.
- 2 Samuel 23:23 (BSB)“He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.”Benaiah was honored among the Thirty and given charge of David’s guard.
- 2 Samuel 23:18-19 (BSB)“Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.”Abishai, Joab’s brother, is honored for his spear and set over the Three.
- 2 Samuel 8:18 (BSB)“Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.”Benaiah son of Jehoiada is listed as commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites.
- 1 Kings 2:35 (BSB)“And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.”Solomon later made Benaiah commander of the army.
General
What did David do with the water his men brought from Bethlehem, and why?
Answer: He emptied it out as an offering, calling it the blood of men who had risked death
David would not drink the water. He emptied it out as an offering to the LORD and said he could never do this, since the water was like the very blood of those men, who had put their lives at risk to get it (23:16-17). In Israel blood stood for life and belonged to God; it was poured out on the ground rather than consumed (Deuteronomy 12:23-24; Leviticus 17:11). By pouring out the water before the LORD, David honored his men’s devotion and gave the costly gift to God instead of using it for himself. Jesus later named laying down one’s life for one’s friends as the greatest love (John 15:13).
- 2 Samuel 23:16-17 (BSB)“So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD, saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.”David refuses to drink and pours the water out to the LORD, calling it the blood of the men who risked their lives.
- Deuteronomy 12:23-24 (BSB)“Only be sure not to eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. You must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.”Blood stood for life, and Israel was to pour it out on the ground rather than consume it.
- Leviticus 17:11 (BSB)“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”The life of a creature is in the blood, which God gave for the altar.
- John 15:13 (BSB)“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”Jesus names laying down one’s life for friends as the greatest love.
Theological
How did David respond to the water brought from Bethlehem, and what reason did he give (2 Samuel 23:16-17)?
Answer: He emptied it out as an offering, calling it the blood of men who had risked death
David refused to drink and emptied the water out as an offering to the LORD, protesting that it was the very blood of those men, who had put their lives in danger (23:16-17). Since blood represented life and was to be poured out rather than consumed (Deuteronomy 12:23-24; Leviticus 17:11), drinking water bought at the hazard of their lives would have been, in his eyes, consuming their very lives. Pouring it out as an offering honored their sacrifice and consecrated it to God rather than his own appetite. Jesus later named laying down one’s life for one’s friends as the highest love (John 15:13).
- 2 Samuel 23:16-17 (BSB)“So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD, saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.”David refuses to drink and pours the water out to the LORD, calling it the blood of the men who risked their lives.
- Deuteronomy 12:23-24 (BSB)“Only be sure not to eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. You must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.”Blood stood for life, and Israel was to pour it out on the ground rather than consume it.
- Leviticus 17:11 (BSB)“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”The life of a creature is in the blood, which God gave for the altar.
- John 15:13 (BSB)“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”Jesus names laying down one’s life for friends as the greatest love.
General
In 2 Samuel 23:5, what does David say God has made with him?
Answer: A covenant lasting forever, arranged and made sure in all its details
David says that God has made with him a covenant that lasts forever, arranged and made sure in every detail, and he trusts God to bring about his full salvation (23:5). A covenant is a binding promise or agreement, and this is the promise of 2 Samuel 7: David’s house, kingdom, and throne would last forever (7:16). David’s confidence rests on God’s faithfulness, not on his own record, which the earlier chapters show was badly stained. Isaiah later speaks of an everlasting covenant of the loving devotion God pledged to David (Isaiah 55:3), and Paul applies those sure promises to Jesus, raised from the dead (Acts 13:34).
- 2 Samuel 23:5 (BSB)“Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire?”David rests his hope for his house on the everlasting covenant God made with him.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (BSB)“Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.””This is the covenant promise: David’s house, kingdom, and throne will last forever.
- Isaiah 55:3 (BSB)“Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.”Isaiah calls God’s loving devotion promised to David an everlasting covenant.
- Acts 13:34 (BSB)“In fact, God raised Him from the dead, never to see decay. As He has said: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’”Paul applies the sure blessings promised to David to Christ’s resurrection.
Theological
What ground of hope does David name for his house in 2 Samuel 23:5?
Answer: A covenant lasting forever, arranged and made sure in all its details
David grounds his hope in the eternal covenant God made with him, arranged and made sure in all its details, and expects God to bring about his full salvation (23:5). This is the Davidic covenant of chapter 7, which promised that David’s house, kingdom, and throne would endure forever (7:16). His confidence rests on God’s faithfulness rather than his own conduct, which chapters 11-20 show to have been seriously compromised. Isaiah speaks of an everlasting covenant of the loving devotion pledged to David (Isaiah 55:3), and Paul applies those sure blessings to the risen Christ (Acts 13:34).
- 2 Samuel 23:5 (BSB)“Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire?”David rests his hope for his house on the everlasting covenant God made with him.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (BSB)“Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.””This is the covenant promise: David’s house, kingdom, and throne will last forever.
- Isaiah 55:3 (BSB)“Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.”Isaiah calls God’s loving devotion promised to David an everlasting covenant.
- Acts 13:34 (BSB)“In fact, God raised Him from the dead, never to see decay. As He has said: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’”Paul applies the sure blessings promised to David to Christ’s resurrection.
General
How does 2 Samuel 23:1 describe David as it introduces his last words?
Answer: As the son of Jesse, lifted up high, anointed by God, and Israel’s singer of psalms
David’s last poem opens by naming him the son of Jesse, a man God raised high, the one Jacob’s God anointed (set apart for office by having oil poured on him), and Israel’s beloved writer of psalms (23:1). Every title points back to God’s action: the shepherd boy did not raise himself. Samuel had anointed him, and from then on God’s Spirit rushed upon him (1 Samuel 16:13), and God later reminded him that He had taken him from tending sheep to rule His people (7:8).
- 2 Samuel 23:1 (BSB)“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:”The heading introduces David’s final poem and the titles he is given in it.
- 1 Samuel 16:13 (BSB)“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.”Samuel anointed the shepherd boy David, and the Spirit of the LORD came on him from that day.
- 2 Samuel 7:8 (BSB)“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.”God reminds David that He took him from following sheep and made him ruler over Israel.
Theological
Which description of David does the superscription of his last words (2 Samuel 23:1) give?
Answer: As the son of Jesse, lifted up high, anointed by God, and Israel’s singer of psalms
The superscription presents David as Jesse’s son, the man God exalted, the anointed one of Jacob’s God, and Israel’s sweet psalmist (23:1). Each title stresses divine initiative rather than personal achievement: the anointing by Samuel, accompanied by the Spirit’s coming on him (1 Samuel 16:13), and God’s own reminder that He took David from the sheepfold to be ruler over Israel (7:8). The final oracle is introduced as the word of a man whom grace had lifted up.
- 2 Samuel 23:1 (BSB)“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:”The heading introduces David’s final poem and the titles he is given in it.
- 1 Samuel 16:13 (BSB)“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.”Samuel anointed the shepherd boy David, and the Spirit of the LORD came on him from that day.
- 2 Samuel 7:8 (BSB)“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.”God reminds David that He took him from following sheep and made him ruler over Israel.
General
True or False: The list of David’s great warriors ends with the name of Uriah the Hittite.
Answer: True
This is true. The final name on the roll of David’s great warriors is Uriah the Hittite (23:39). Uriah was the loyal soldier who would not go home to his comforts while the ark and the army were in the field (11:11), and whose death in battle David arranged by letter (11:15). Nathan had charged David with killing Uriah by means of Ammonite swords and taking his wife (12:9). Even in a list honoring David’s heroes, the record does not hide his sin against one of them.
- 2 Samuel 23:39 (BSB)“and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.”The roll of David’s mighty men closes with Uriah the Hittite.
- 2 Samuel 11:11 (BSB)“Uriah answered, “The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers are camped in the open field. How can I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!””Uriah refused the comforts of home while the ark and the army were in the field.
- 2 Samuel 11:15 (BSB)“In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.””David’s letter to Joab arranges for Uriah to be left exposed in the fiercest fighting.
- 2 Samuel 12:9 (BSB)“Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.”Nathan charges David with putting Uriah to the sword and taking his wife.
Theological
True or False: The roll of David’s champions in 2 Samuel 23 closes with Uriah the Hittite.
Answer: True
This is true. The roll closes with Uriah the Hittite (23:39), the loyal soldier who refused the comforts of home while the ark and the army were in the field (11:11) and whose death in battle David engineered by letter (11:15), as Nathan charged (12:9). Even a list celebrating David’s champions leaves his gravest sin in plain view.
- 2 Samuel 23:39 (BSB)“and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.”The roll of David’s mighty men closes with Uriah the Hittite.
- 2 Samuel 11:11 (BSB)“Uriah answered, “The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers are camped in the open field. How can I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!””Uriah refused the comforts of home while the ark and the army were in the field.
- 2 Samuel 11:15 (BSB)“In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.””David’s letter to Joab arranges for Uriah to be left exposed in the fiercest fighting.
- 2 Samuel 12:9 (BSB)“Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.”Nathan charges David with putting Uriah to the sword and taking his wife.
General
When Eleazar and Shammah each held their ground after the rest of Israel’s troops retreated, to whom does the text give credit for the victory?
Answer: To the LORD, who gave Israel a great victory
Eleazar kept fighting after Israel’s men retreated, until his hand was too tired to let go of his sword, and Shammah stood alone in a field of lentils after the troops fled. Yet in both stories the narrator credits the LORD with a great victory (23:10, 12). The courage of these men was real, but the win was God’s. Scripture says this often: horses can be made ready for battle, but victory belongs to the LORD (Proverbs 21:31); God can save with a large army or a small one (1 Samuel 14:6); and Israel took the land by God’s power, not its own sword (Psalm 44:3).
- 2 Samuel 23:10 (BSB)“but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.”Eleazar fought on alone after Israel’s men withdrew, and the LORD gave the victory.
- 2 Samuel 23:12 (BSB)“But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.”Shammah defended a field alone, and again the LORD gave the victory.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”Horses are made ready for battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan trusted that the LORD can save by many or by few.
- Psalm 44:3 (BSB)“For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.”Israel did not win the land by its own sword, but by God’s power.
Theological
In the accounts of Eleazar and Shammah standing alone after Israel’s troops retreated (23:9-12), to whom does the narrator ascribe the victory?
Answer: To the LORD, who gave Israel a great victory
Eleazar fought on until his hand clung to his sword after Israel’s men withdrew, and Shammah held a lentil field alone after the troops fled; in both cases the narrator states that the LORD won a great victory (23:10, 12). Human valor is honored, but the outcome is ascribed to God. The same conviction runs through Scripture: victory belongs to the LORD (Proverbs 21:31), nothing can stop Him from saving with many or with few (1 Samuel 14:6), and Israel did not gain the land by its own arm (Psalm 44:3).
- 2 Samuel 23:10 (BSB)“but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.”Eleazar fought on alone after Israel’s men withdrew, and the LORD gave the victory.
- 2 Samuel 23:12 (BSB)“But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.”Shammah defended a field alone, and again the LORD gave the victory.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”Horses are made ready for battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan trusted that the LORD can save by many or by few.
- Psalm 44:3 (BSB)“For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.”Israel did not win the land by its own sword, but by God’s power.
General
In 2 Samuel 23:3-4, what is a ruler who governs justly and reveres God compared to?
Answer: Morning sunlight and the sparkle of grass after the rain
God’s word to David describes the king who rules with justice and with reverent fear of God. Such a ruler is like the first light of a clear morning and like new grass shining after rain (23:3-4). A just king brings life and gladness to a land. Psalm 72 asks God to give the king His justice so he will judge rightly (Psalm 72:1-2) and uses a similar picture of rain on cut grass (Psalm 72:6). Proverbs says the same thing simply: people rejoice when good men thrive and groan under wicked rulers (Proverbs 29:2). Many Christians have also seen in this picture the perfect justice of Jesus, the King from David’s line.
- 2 Samuel 23:3-4 (BSB)“The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’”God’s word to David pictures the king who governs with justice and fear of God.
- Psalm 72:1-2 (BSB)“Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.”The psalm asks God to give the king His justice so he may judge the people rightly.
- Psalm 72:6 (BSB)“May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth.”The same psalm pictures the good king as rain on newly cut grass.
- Proverbs 29:2 (BSB)“When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”When the righteous flourish the people are glad, but under wicked rulers they groan.
Theological
To what does the oracle of 2 Samuel 23:3-4 liken the king who rules justly and reveres God?
Answer: Morning sunlight and the sparkle of grass after the rain
The oracle describes the righteous king, ruling with justice and reverent fear of God, as the light of a cloudless sunrise and the glistening of new grass after rain (23:3-4) — images of life and blessing on the land. Psalm 72 prays for the king to be given God’s justice (Psalm 72:1-2) and uses similar rain-on-grass imagery (Psalm 72:6), and Proverbs observes that a people rejoice under the righteous and groan under the wicked (Proverbs 29:2). Many Christians have also seen in this ideal king a picture of Christ, the righteous Son of David.
- 2 Samuel 23:3-4 (BSB)“The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’”God’s word to David pictures the king who governs with justice and fear of God.
- Psalm 72:1-2 (BSB)“Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.”The psalm asks God to give the king His justice so he may judge the people rightly.
- Psalm 72:6 (BSB)“May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth.”The same psalm pictures the good king as rain on newly cut grass.
- Proverbs 29:2 (BSB)“When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”When the righteous flourish the people are glad, but under wicked rulers they groan.
General
In 2 Samuel 23:2, where does David say his words came from?
Answer: From the LORD’s Spirit, who placed God’s word on David’s tongue
David says that the LORD’s Spirit spoke by him and placed God’s word on his tongue (23:2). He is claiming that his words are God’s own message, not merely his private thoughts. The New Testament says the same about David: Peter calls him a prophet, someone who speaks God’s message (Acts 2:29-30), and Jesus says David spoke under the Holy Spirit’s direction (Mark 12:36). This is how the prophecy of Scripture came to be: prophets delivered God’s message as the Holy Spirit moved them (2 Peter 1:20-21). So David’s words are God’s word, written by a real man.
- 2 Samuel 23:2 (BSB)“The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.”David says that what he is about to say came from the Spirit of the LORD.
- 2 Peter 1:20-21 (BSB)“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”Peter teaches that prophets spoke from God as the Holy Spirit carried them along.
- Acts 2:29-30 (BSB)“Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.”Peter calls David a prophet who knew God’s sworn promise about his descendant.
- Mark 12:36 (BSB)“Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’”Jesus says David spoke by the Holy Spirit when he wrote Psalm 110.
Theological
What source does David claim for his final oracle in 2 Samuel 23:2?
Answer: From the LORD’s Spirit, who placed God’s word on David’s tongue
David claims that the LORD’s Spirit spoke by him and placed God’s word on his tongue (23:2) — a direct claim of divine inspiration. The New Testament confirms it: Peter names David a prophet (Acts 2:29-30), and Jesus says David spoke under the Holy Spirit’s direction (Mark 12:36). The pattern is that of all prophecy of Scripture, in which prophets delivered God’s message as the Holy Spirit bore them along (2 Peter 1:20-21). David’s words are therefore fully God’s word while remaining genuinely David’s own.
- 2 Samuel 23:2 (BSB)“The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.”David says that what he is about to say came from the Spirit of the LORD.
- 2 Peter 1:20-21 (BSB)“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”Peter teaches that prophets spoke from God as the Holy Spirit carried them along.
- Acts 2:29-30 (BSB)“Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne.”Peter calls David a prophet who knew God’s sworn promise about his descendant.
- Mark 12:36 (BSB)“Speaking by the Holy Spirit, David himself declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’”Jesus says David spoke by the Holy Spirit when he wrote Psalm 110.
General
What did three of David’s warriors do when David longed aloud for a drink from the well by Bethlehem’s gate?
Answer: They forced their way past the Philistine lines and carried it back
While David was in his stronghold and a Philistine garrison held his hometown of Bethlehem (the Philistines were Israel’s longtime enemies on the coast), David spoke aloud his wish for a drink from the well by Bethlehem’s gate. Three of his warriors forced their way past the Philistine lines, drew water at the well, and carried it to him (23:14-16). They risked their lives simply because their king wished for it. Chronicles records the same event (1 Chronicles 11:17-18), and Adullam’s cave was the place where David had once found refuge as a fugitive (1 Samuel 22:1).
- 2 Samuel 23:15-16 (BSB)“David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,”David voices a longing for water from Bethlehem’s well, and three of his warriors fetch it through enemy lines.
- 1 Chronicles 11:17-18 (BSB)“David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,”Chronicles tells the same story of the three who broke through to bring David the water.
- 1 Samuel 22:1 (BSB)“So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.”The cave of Adullam had been David’s refuge during his years as a fugitive.
Theological
How did three of the mighty men respond when David voiced his longing for water from Bethlehem’s well (2 Samuel 23:15-16)?
Answer: They forced their way past the Philistine lines and carried it back
With a Philistine garrison occupying Bethlehem, David voiced his longing for a drink from the well by its gate, and three of his warriors forced their way past the Philistine lines, drew water at the well, and carried it to him (23:14-16). Their act was devotion to their king at the risk of their lives, prompted by nothing more than his expressed wish. The episode is also recorded in Chronicles (1 Chronicles 11:17-18), and it is set at Adullam, David’s old refuge from Saul (1 Samuel 22:1).
- 2 Samuel 23:15-16 (BSB)“David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,”David voices a longing for water from Bethlehem’s well, and three of his warriors fetch it through enemy lines.
- 1 Chronicles 11:17-18 (BSB)“David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,”Chronicles tells the same story of the three who broke through to bring David the water.
- 1 Samuel 22:1 (BSB)“So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.”The cave of Adullam had been David’s refuge during his years as a fugitive.
General
True or False: David’s last words end by comparing the worthless to thorns that are pushed aside and burned up.
Answer: True
This is true. After describing the just king and God’s covenant, David turns to the worthless. They are like thorns that no one can pick up by hand; they must be handled with iron or a spear shaft and are finally burned where they lie (23:6-7). The picture is of judgment that comes at the end. Psalm 1 contrasts the righteous with the wicked, who are like chaff blown away (Psalm 1:4); Hebrews uses the same image of thorny land that is finally burned (Hebrews 6:8); and Jesus’ parable ends with the weeds gathered and burned (Matthew 13:30).
- 2 Samuel 23:6-7 (BSB)“But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand. The man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.””David contrasts the blessed rule of the just king with the end of the worthless.
- Psalm 1:4 (BSB)“Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind.”The wicked are like chaff blown away, in contrast to the righteous.
- Hebrews 6:8 (BSB)“But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.”Land that produces only thorns is worthless and will finally be burned.
- Matthew 13:30 (BSB)“Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’””In Jesus’ parable the weeds are gathered and burned at the harvest.
Theological
True or False: David’s final oracle closes by likening the worthless to thorns that are thrust aside and consumed by fire.
Answer: True
This is true. Set against the righteous king and the covenant, the worthless are pictured as thorns that cannot be grasped by hand, must be handled with iron or a spear shaft, and are burned up where they lie (23:6-7). The oracle thus ends in the judgment of the worthless. The same contrast appears in Psalm 1 (Psalm 1:4), in the thorny land destined for burning in Hebrews (Hebrews 6:8), and in the burning of the weeds at the harvest in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 13:30).
- 2 Samuel 23:6-7 (BSB)“But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand. The man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.””David contrasts the blessed rule of the just king with the end of the worthless.
- Psalm 1:4 (BSB)“Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind.”The wicked are like chaff blown away, in contrast to the righteous.
- Hebrews 6:8 (BSB)“But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.”Land that produces only thorns is worthless and will finally be burned.
- Matthew 13:30 (BSB)“Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’””In Jesus’ parable the weeds are gathered and burned at the harvest.