⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 3 min read
2 Samuel 23:1–39 — David’s Last Words and His Mighty Men
Reading the Bible Daily with Dave
July 23, 2025
Hosted by Dave Jenkins
In today’s passage, we explore David’s final recorded words—a poetic reflection on God’s covenant faithfulness—and the extraordinary courage of his mighty men. From Josheb-basshebeth’s spear to Benaiah’s lion-slaying valor, 2 Samuel 23 celebrates loyalty, courage, and dependence on God.
Key Themes
- God’s Faithfulness to His Covenant – David reflects on God’s unbreakable promises.
- Courage and Loyalty – The mighty men display heroic devotion and sacrifice.
- Leadership and Dependence – Even great kings rely on God and faithful companions.
Biblical Reflection
Verses 1–7 – David’s Last Words
- David acknowledges God’s sovereign hand and everlasting covenant.
- He paints a vision of righteous leadership “like morning light.”
Verses 8–23 – The Mighty Men
- Josheb-basshebeth killed 800 men with his spear.
- Eleazar’s hand clung to his sword in relentless battle.
- Shammah stood his ground in a lentil field and brought victory.
- Benaiah struck down a lion and an Egyptian with courage and skill.
Verses 24–39 – The Thirty
This section lists the other loyal warriors who stood with David—men of valor, faithfulness, and honor. Even Uriah the Hittite is remembered here, reminding us of the tragic layers in David’s story and God’s grace beyond failure.
Christ-Centered Application
- David’s hope in God’s covenant points forward to Christ, the eternal King.
- The mighty men’s courage reminds us to live faithfully and sacrificially for Jesus.
- Our strength lies not in human might but in God’s enduring grace.
Scripture Memory
2 Samuel 23:5 — “For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?”
Daily Life Takeaways
- Private: Reflect on God’s faithfulness at every life stage.
- Home: Discuss examples of Christian courage with your family.
- Church: Honor faithful servants quietly serving the body.
- Work: Be dependable and courageous in your calling.
- Culture: Remember—our true King reigns forever.
For Teachers and Leaders
- Use this passage to teach the value of honoring faithful service.
- Contrast human valor with the sufficiency of God’s promises.
- Point people to Christ as the fulfillment of every covenant hope.
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“The might of men is nothing without the favor of God, but God can use even the feeblest to do great exploits.” – Matthew Henry
“David did not glory in his strength nor in the valor of his men, but in the covenant grace of God.” – John Calvin
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
