God’s Word Translation
2 Samuel 23:1
1These are the last words of David: “Here is the declaration by David, son of Jesse— the declaration by the man whom God raised up, whom the God of Jacob anointed, the singer of Israel’s psalms:
2 Samuel 23:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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,
- New International Version (NIV)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:
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
Context of 2 Samuel 23:1
These are the last words of David: “Here is the declaration by David, son of Jesse— the declaration by the man whom God raised up, whom the God of Jacob anointed, the singer of Israel’s psalms: 2“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me. His words were on my tongue. 3The God of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, ‘The one who rules humans with justice rules with the fear of God.
Read all of 2 Samuel 232 Samuel 23:1 word by word
וְאֵ֛לֶּה דִּבְרֵ֥י דָוִ֖ד הָאַֽחֲרֹנִ֑ים נְאֻ֧ם דָּוִ֣ד בֶּן־יִשַׁ֗י וּנְאֻ֤ם הַגֶּ֙בֶר֙ הֻ֣קַם עָ֔ל מְשִׁ֙יחַ֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב וּנְעִ֖ים זְמִר֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- the lastאַחֲרוֹן'achăryôn 'achărôn · lastH314
- wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
- of Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
- the sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- of Jesseיִשַׁיyishay 'îyshay · JesseH3448
- saidנְאֻםne'ûm · utteranceH5002
- and the manגָּבֶרgeber · great manH1397
- raised upקוּםqûm · to arise: raiseH6965
- on highעַל‛al · heightH5920
- the anointedמָשִׁיחַmâshîyach · anointedH4899
- of the Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- of Jacobיַעֲקֹבya‛ăqôb · JacobH3290
- and the sweetנָעִיםnâ‛îym · musicalH5273
- psalmistזָמִירzâmîyr zâmir zemirâh · songH2158
- of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 23:1
- Genesis 49:1Jacob called for his sons and said, “Come here, and let me tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.
- Deuteronomy 33:1Moses, the man of God, blessed the Israelites with this blessing before he died.
- Joshua 23:1A long time afterward, the Lord gave the Israelites peace with all their enemies around them. Joshua was old, near the end of his life.
- Psalms 72:20The prayers by David, son of Jesse, end here.
- 2 Peter 1:13As long as I’m still alive, I think it’s right to refresh your memory.
- 2 Samuel 7:8“Now this is what you will say to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of Armies says: I took you from the pasture where you followed sheep so that you could be the leader of my people Israel.
- Psalms 78:70He chose his servant David. He took him from the sheep pens.
- 1 Samuel 2:10“Those who oppose the Lord are broken into pieces. He thunders at them from the heavens. The Lord judges the ends of the earth. He gives strength to his King and lifts the head of his Messiah.”
- 1 Samuel 16:12So Jesse sent for him. He had a healthy complexion, attractive eyes, and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go ahead, anoint him. He is the one.”
- Psalms 2:6“I have installed my own king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
- Psalms 89:20I found my servant David. I anointed him with my holy oil.
- 1 Chronicles 16:4David appointed some Levites to serve in front of the Lord’s ark by offering prayers, thanks, and praise to the Lord God of Israel.
- Amos 6:5How horrible it will be for those who make up songs as they strum a harp. Like David, they write all kinds of songs for themselves.
- Luke 20:42David says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Take the honored position—the one next to me [God the Father] on the heavenly throne—
- Luke 24:44Then he said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you. I told you that everything written about me in Moses’ Teachings, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.”
- Ephesians 5:19by reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts.
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 23:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1These be the last words of David - I suppose the last poetical composition is here intended. He might have spoken many words after these in prose, but none in verse. Other meanings are given; this I prefer. The words of this song contain a glorious prediction of the Messiah's kingdom and conquests, in highly poetic language. The sweet psalmist of Israel - This character not only belonged to him as the finest poet in Israel, but as the finest and most…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1The last words of David - i. e., his last Psalm, his last “words of song” 2 Samuel 22:1. The insertion of this Psalm, which is not in the Book of Psalms, was probably suggested by the insertion of the long Psalm in Numbers 24:3-4, Numbers 24:15-16, and in Proverbs 30:1; and in all these places the words spoken are inspired words. The description of David is divided into four clauses, which correspond to and balance each other.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1David's last words. (1-7) David's mighty men. (8-39) Verses 1-7 These words of David are very worthy of regard. Let those who have had long experience of God's goodness, and the pleasantness of heavenly wisdom, when they come to finish their course, bear their testimony to the truth of the promise. David avows his Divine inspiration, that the Spirit of God spake by him. He, and other holy men, spake and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. In many…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1David'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.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-72Sa 23:1-7. David Professes His Faith in God's Promises. 1. Now these be the last words of David--Various opinions are entertained as to the precise meaning of this statement, which, it is obvious, proceeded from the compiler or collector of the sacred canon. Some think that, as there is no division of chapters in the Hebrew Scriptures, this introduction was intended to show that what follows is no part of the preceding song. Others regard this as the…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 23:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries