Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
The Last Words of David
2 Samuel 23:1 These are the last words of David: “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs: 2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, 4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’ 5 “If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire. 6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. 7 Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.” (NIV)
David was a great man of God. The Holy Spirit spoke through him (v. 2) and God used him greatly. David was the warrior, the one who secured the Promised Land for his people. He was also the one who established God’s righteousness in a disobedient people.
David made it possible for his son Solomon not to have to be a warrior but to be a builder. Solomon built the nation of Israel to be the greatest in the world at that time in history.
In the last words of David He spoke of someone who “rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God” (v. 3). David was speaking of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the example of the perfect ruler.
He described this ruler as the perfect sunrise, and the sunlight that follows the rain breathing life into the grass (v. 4). David spoke of having to be “right with God” before God would bless him (v. 5). He then wrote of how evil men will face judgment on the last day (vv. 6-7).
We can learn powerful lessons from the last words of great men. David was a great man, a man after God’s own heart.
David’s last words ring true in our world today. Leaders who are “right with God” will be blessed, as will the nation they rule. But leaders who do evil in the eyes of God will suffer, just as the nation they rule will suffer.
This is why it is so important to elect men and women of God to our government. That should be what we look for most in our leaders. We should not be voting for people that just tickle our ears, that say the things we want to hear.
Many people vote for the person that promises them the most. They do not consider whether or not these policies are good for the country on the whole. They are only interested in what’s in it for me?
Not only that, they do not consider the honesty of the candidate. Promises from a dishonest candidate are empty promises. They are worthless.
Instead, we should be looking at who the person is on the inside. Are they honest? Are they a good citizen? Are they a good father, or mother? Do they rule in righteousness? Do they fear God? Do their lives reflect Biblical values?
As Christians, David’s last words should serve as a warning to us all. When we elect our leaders we should elect men and women of God and not those who tickle our ears with empty promises.