David's last Psalm
2 Sam 23:1 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,
David, anointed king, spirit filled psalmist of Israel
2 Sam 23:2 The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
David spoke prophetic words, for example, Psalm 22 describes Jesus on the cross. Psalm 2:7 speaks of the Son of God. There are many more prophecies in the Psalms.
2 Sam 23:3 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.
The rock of Israel is the Living Word, Jesus who spoke through the Spirit. Rulers must be just, God's law is just and rulers must rule in the fear of God. To rule justly, comes by submitting to God and his laws. How is our country doing?
2 Sam 23:4 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.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
2 Sam 23:5 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.
David's family life was a mess, but he never stopped trusting the Lord. He would be faithful to the end, and God would be faithful keeping his covenant. The Bible places David in a place of honor. An everlasting king would come through David, the Lord Jesus Christ was called, the Son of David. David's Psalms have blessed millions, for he truly knew suffering and victory, he expressed a heart in obedience to the LORD, the God of his strength, his strong tower and his hiding place.
Son's of Belial
2 Sam 23:6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
Son's of Belial, those who are of the evil spirit, outside of the covenant of God.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
At one time, we may have acted like these, but we responded to the conviction of God's Holy Spirit. Apparently there are those who are completely given over to evil, being inhabited by evil spirits.
2 Sam 23:7 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.
These will not escape the wrath of God, unless God moves them to repentance.
Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Jude 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jude 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jude 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Encourage yourself in the faith and do not be discouraged by the demon controlled opposers of Christ. He came with love and the word of truth. We shall do the same. perhap's God will move to change their condition.
Mighty
2 Sam 23:8 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.
Three of David's mighty men of valor. Adino who slew 800 men in one battle with the spear. This sounds like Samson who slew one thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. Were these special weapons? No, but they were powered by God's anointing.
2 Sam 23:9 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:
2 Sam 23:10 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.
Eleazar, another mighty man of valor. His hand clave to the sword. Those who for the first time, have used a hammer for a length of time, know this feeling. The hand cramps shut. The LORD wrought a great victory, They give Him the praise.
2 Sam 23:11 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.
2 Sam 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
Another brave soldier, Shammah, stood his ground when all others fled. The LORD gave him a great victory.
Let's look at the three key word's in each man's victory and apply them to spiritual warfare. The spear of Adino, can refer to the sword of truth, the word of God. It does not miss it's mark. Eleazar battled with the LORD's help, until he was weary, and he won the victory, even though all alone. The Lord is our strength in battle. Shammah, stood his ground. We stand on the promises of God. The LORD honors faith in His word. Three mighty men of valor, because God was with them. Our God is almighty God.
Drink of the water
2 Sam 23:13 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.
2 Sam 23:14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
This is an earlier event, that was important to David. He was being pursued by a madly jealous king Saul. David found a hiding place in a cave, this would be his stronghold.
1 Sam 22:1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
1 Sam 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
David's great men of valor came from these discontents. He had a way of making others feel important, he brought unity and purpose. Jesus would also take the lowly and the misfits and give them new life and unity in His Spirit.
2 Sam 23:15 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!
David longed for the water from his hometown well and no doubt missed his freedom.
2 Sam 23:16 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.
This became a drink offering. Spiritually the water from the well in Bethlehem, could point to Jesus. He was the source of living water who was poured out for.
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
2 Sam 23:17 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.
The men will be remembered for this brave and selfless act. Will you brave the enemies camp to bring water to the thirsty?
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
What a blessing to be the servant's of our Lord.
Ranking
2 Sam 23:18 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.
2 Sam 23:19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
Abashi, ranked high in the list of David's most honored men. The top three were listed in 2 Sam 23:8-12, they were Josheb, Eleazar and Shammah. I suppose David's intentions were to honor for all time these loyal and brave men. Hebrews 11, lists top people of faith, so I suppose this list was justifiable.
2 Sam 23:20 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:
2 Sam 23:21 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.
2 Sam 23:22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
2 Sam 23:23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Who will be the top three under our Lord? It is not for us to know.
Mat 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
Mat 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
Peter and James were referred to as Zebedee's children, children of their father. This is a glimpse of the mother, apparently she was not honored for her self seeking ways, for her name is not mentioned.
Mat 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Be a servant, for this is the requirement to be great in God's kingdom.
Roll call
2 Sam 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
David continues the list of his 30 or so, most honored men of valor. Most of these were castaways who came to David when he was fleeing from Saul.
1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
2 Sam 23:25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
2 Sam 23:26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
2 Sam 23:27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
2 Sam 23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
2 Sam 23:29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
2 Sam 23:30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
2 Sam 23:31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
2 Sam 23:32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
2 Sam 23:33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
2 Sam 23:34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
2 Sam 23:35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
2 Sam 23:36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
2 Sam 23:37 Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
2 Sam 23:38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
2 Sam 23:39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
The lists ends with a familiar name, Uriah the Hittite. Oh my, this was the husband of Bathsheba, who David had adultery with and who became pregnant. His attempts to have Uriah sleep with his wife failed, in truth he was an honorable man.
2 Sam 11:11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
He was a man of honor who David sent into the front of battle to cover his sin. Uriah died, as a faithful man and David's lust had killed him. This memory would always be with David, in a moment of weakness, the devil had his way. The devil brings forth death, yet David was restored and forgiven. We must always call out to Jesus and be restored, for we are his servants. Our life is used for his glory, he makes all things new.
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