2Sa 23:1-7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Sam 23:1-7: 23:1-7 This passage comes from the end of David’s career and reflects on his experience as king, even as ch 22 reflects on his experience before becoming king. 23:1 David’s last words were not necessarily the last words he actually spoke (see 1 Kgs 1:16 , 29-30 , 33-35 ; 2:1-9 ) but his final public expression of worship to God as king (cp. 1 Sam 12:1-25 ). • David ... speaks: The language indicates that he was about to utter an oracle, a revelation from God (2 Sam 23:2 ). • the sweet psalmist of Israel: For other references to David as musician and poet, see 1 Chr 23:5 ; 2 Chr 29:26 , 27 ; Neh 12:36 ; Amos 6:5 .

Summary for 2Sam 23:1-7: 23:1-7 ^a This passage comes from the end of David’s career and reflects on his experience as king, even as ch 22 ^b reflects on his experience before becoming king. 23:1 ^c David’s last words were not necessarily the last words he actually spoke (see 1 Kgs 1:16 ^d, 29-30 ^e, 33-35 ^f; 2:1-9 ^g) but his final public expression of worship to God as king (cp. 1 Sam 12:1-25 ^h).

• David ... speaks: The language indicates that he was about to utter an oracle, a revelation from God (2 Sam 23:2 ⁱ).

• the sweet psalmist of Israel: For other references to David as musician and poet, see 1 Chr 23:5 ^j; 2 Chr 29:26 ^k, 27 ^l; Neh 12:36 ^m; Amos 6:5 ⁿ.
23:2 ^o The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me: David spoke of God, and in the process, God spoke through David.
23:5 ^p my family ... everlasting covenant: David is referring to the prophecy Nathan made about David and his descendants (7:12-16 ^q). Jesus is the everlasting king who is the “descendant of David” (Matt 1:1 ^r).
23:6 ^s Cp. Ps 1:4-5 ^t.