A RIGHTEOUS RULER

Passage: 2 Samuel 23:1-7

Key verse: 3

NIV

David’s Last Words

23 These are the last words of David:

“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
    the utterance of the man exalted(A) by the Most High,
the man anointed(B) by the God of Jacob,
    the hero of Israel’s songs:

2 “The Spirit(C) of the Lord spoke through me;
    his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
    the Rock(D) of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,(E)
    when he rules in the fear(F) of God,(G)
4 he is like the light(H) of morning(I) at sunrise(J)
    on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain(K)
    that brings grass from the earth.’

5 “If my house were not right with God,
    surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,(L)
    arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
    and grant me my every desire.
6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,(M)
    which are not gathered with the hand.
7 Whoever touches thorns
    uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
    they are burned up where they lie.”

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Last Words of David

23 Now these are the last words of David:

The oracle of David, the son of Jesse,
    the oracle of (A)the man who was raised on high,
(B)the anointed of the God of Jacob,
    the sweet psalmist of Israel:[a]

2 (C)“The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me;
    his word is on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel has spoken;
    (D)the Rock of Israel has said to me:
When one rules justly over men,
    ruling (E)in the fear of God,
4 he (F)dawns on them like the morning light,
    like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,
    like rain[b] that makes grass to sprout from the earth.

5 “For does not my house stand so with God?
    (G)For he has made with me an everlasting covenant,
    ordered in all things and secure.
For will he not cause to prosper
    all my help and my desire?
6 But worthless men[c] are all like thorns that are thrown away,
    for they cannot be taken with the hand;
7 but the man who touches them
    arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear,
    and they are utterly consumed with fire.”[d]

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 2 Samuel 23:1 Or the favorite of the songs of Israel
  2. 2 Samuel 23:4 Hebrew from rain
  3. 2 Samuel 23:6 Hebrew worthlessness
  4. 2 Samuel 23:7 Hebrew consumed with fire in the sitting
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

At the end of his life, David summed up all he had done. He did not despair over his failures. He did not gloat over his enemies. Rather, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and professed that God above is with a righteous ruler who fears God. Such a leader is like a ray of sunlight who gives hope and promise to his people. Also, David testified that God was his Rock, and all his household and everything he did was blessed. What a wonderful testimony to have at the end of one’s life!

We learn here that when we are called to lead, we must fear God and not people. When we seek a right relationship with him through repenting our sins and seeking his ways, then God upholds us and blesses us. We have no regrets, nor do we struggle with vanity or conceit. We can inspire and strengthen those under us with God’s help. We can build a firm foundation for our household and community (5). Are you relying on God the Rock to lead those under you?

David compared a wicked ruler to a painful thorn that should be discarded in a heap to be burned. May God give our nation’s leaders a fear of God. May God save us from ungodly rulers.

Prayer: Father, thank you for righteous rulers. Help us to be godly leaders who depend on God as our Rock and live purely before you.

One Word: Grant us righteous rulers