Joel M Bradshaw

1These are the last words of David: “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs:

2“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. 3The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, 4he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain 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, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.

6But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns, which are not gathered with the hand. 7Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie.”–2 Samuel 23

1. David recognized that he needed to influence his people with righteousness.
2. David stressed the importance of being right with God.
3. David acknowledged that God makes the covenant.
4. God is the bringer of salvation.
5. God is the hero.
6. David warned that there is no hope for those who do evil things and persist in evil.
7. How do these words and themes sit in you? Are they also proclaimed in your life and story?–JMB