Bible Chapter Summary
2 Samuel 23 Summary
David's Last Words and List of Mighty Men
David speaks his final words, declaring that the Spirit of the Lord spoke through him and that God established an everlasting covenant with his house. He affirms that a just ruler must fear God, comparing such a ruler to the light of morning after rain. The chapter then lists the names and deeds of David's mighty men: Adino the chief, Eleazar who slew Philistines, Shammah who defended a field of lentils, and others. It records acts of valor including three mighty men who broke through the Philistine garrison to fetch water from Bethlehem, which David poured out to the Lord.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Samuel 23:1-2
“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, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.”
2 Samuel 23:3-4
“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. 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.”
2 Samuel 23:16-17
“And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, 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. 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.”
Read 2 Samuel 23 in full
Study the complete chapter with interlinear Hebrew & Greek, verse-by-verse, in the Gospel Daily reader.
Open the full chapter