2 Samuel 23.
Few had so rich an experience in the school of God as David, and his “last words” have special interest. Neither in him, nor in any other of the rulers of this world, have we seen the man that answers to the requirement of verses 3 and 4. We are surely carried onward by the inspired words to the day when the Sun of righteousness (Christ) shall arise with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).
David acknowledges in verse 5 that his house was not so with, God. What sorrow his acts and the deeds of his children had caused him! “Yet”, he says, “He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure.” This is grace worthy of God, in Whom alone it abides.
The confessed sinner finds a welcome from the Father (Luke 15:18-24), and the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ is upon all them that believe, though all have sinned and come short of His glory, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:22-24). Whosoever believeth in Him, John 3:16 tells us, shall not perish but has everlasting life. Such a covenant is indeed worthy of God.
David had sadly failed in responsibility, and his desires had not been realized, but the everlasting covenant, and his salvation fill his heart as he speaks. Judgment would inevitably overtake the wicked.
Having considered the faithfulness of God, we are now (verse 8) directed to the devotedness of David’s servants. The energy of David’s faith had brought these men around him, and their notable deeds are mentioned, one by one. We may note a slight error in the translation of verse 8 which should read, “Adino the Ezrite (he stood) against eight hundred who were slain at one time.”
Love of David led some of his worthy ones to risk their lives in his behalf in a special way (verses 15-17). Note that this was when David was rejected, an outcast in the cave of Adullam. Those who shared his reproach, afterward shared in his glory. But we do not find Joab’s among the names of the mighty ones. Of outward appearance there was much in Joab, but it was all selfish, natural desire that carried him along, as we judge.
There is a day coming when every true hearted service for Christ will come into remembrance. There will be some surprises then. O let us who are Christ’s seek to serve Him faithfully, steadfastly, until He calls us to His home! The time is short.
ML 04/03/1927