Messianic
2 Samuel 23:1-7
David · ~960 BC · Status: Fulfilled · Confidence: 65% · Payne §II Sam 18
“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,”
King James Version · the opening — all 7 verses are below
David's last words describing the ideal just ruler who is like the morning sun, a messianic portrait.
Read the whole passage — all 7 verses (KJV)
23:1Now 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,
23:2The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
23:3The 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.
23:4And 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.
23:5Although 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.
23:6But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
23:7But 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.
Fulfillment References
Revelation 22:16 Malachi 4:2 Luke 1:78
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalDavid's last words look beyond himself to a coming Ruler 'just, ruling in the fear of God... as the light of the morning when the sun riseth.' This is the Lord Jesus, the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16), the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2), the dayspring from on high (Luke 1:78). The everlasting covenant David rests on is secured in Christ — God's righteous King and the light of the world.
JewishDavid's final oracle on the ideal righteous ruler and God's everlasting covenant with his house; the just king as life-giving light and rain.
CatholicThe just Ruler is Christ, the morning light; the Davidic covenant fulfilled in Him.
ProtestantA messianic oracle — the righteous King like the dawn is Jesus (Rev. 22:16; Mal. 4:2), the everlasting covenant secured in Him.
Academic'The last words of David,' a poetic oracle on righteous kingship and the Davidic covenant; its light-and-rain imagery idealizes the just ruler.
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