Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Samuel 23:1-7

"Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse saith, And the man who was raised on high saith, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me, And his word was upon my tongue. The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God, [He shall be] as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, A morning without clouds, [When] the tender grass [springeth] out of the earth, Through clear shining after rain. Verily my house is not so with God; Yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things, and sure: For it is all my salvation, and all [my] desire, Although he maketh it not to grow. But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with the hand But the man that toucheth them Must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear: And they shall be utterly burned with fire in [their] place" — 2 Samuel 23:1-7 (ASV)

These words of David are very worthy of regard. Let those who have had long experience of God's goodness, and the pleasantness of heavenly wisdom, when they come to finish their course, bear their testimony to the truth of the promise. David avows his Divine inspiration, that the Spirit of God spoke by him. He, and other holy men, spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In many things he had his own neglect and wrong conduct to blame.

But David comforted himself that the Lord had made with him an everlasting covenant. By this he principally intended the covenant of mercy and peace, which the Lord made with him as a sinner, who believed in the promised Savior, who embraced the promised blessing, who surrendered himself to the Lord, to be His redeemed servant. Believers will forever enjoy covenant blessings; and God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, will be forever glorified in their salvation. Thus pardon, righteousness, grace, and eternal life, are secured as the gift of God through Jesus Christ. There is an infinite fullness of grace and all blessings treasured up in Christ, for those who seek His salvation.

This covenant was all David's salvation. He knew the holy law of God and the extent of his own sinfulness so well that he perceived what was necessary for himself in this salvation. It was therefore all his desire. In comparison, all earthly objects lost their attractions; he was willing to give them up, or to die and leave them, that he might enjoy full happiness (Psalms 73:24–28). Still, the power of evil, and the weakness of his faith, hope, and love, were his grief and burden.

Doubtless he would have allowed that his own slackness and lack of care were the cause; but the hope that he would soon be made perfect in glory encouraged him in his dying moments.