2 Sa. 23: David's Last Words and Men

2 Samuel 23:7 "Whoever touches thorns uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they are burned up where they lie."

Well, David's winding it down, running out the clock or whatever, and he has his famous last words. It says it is an oracle, so whether or not it's actually David saying it, I don't know. I suppose it doesn't have to be. Balaam was a conduit, if you'll remember. What is apparent is that the LORD spoke, offering a reality check for future successful rulers. It's pretty interesting language...

the light of morning at sunrise
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
that brings the grass from the earth.'

"Is not my house right with God?
Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant,
arranged and secured in every part?
Will he not bring to fruition my salvation
and grant me my every desire?

A righteous ruler is a change. It is the result of stretching, uncomfortable change. Its also a promise kept. Is it amazing to be granted every desire? Is it possible if you aren't David? What would those desires be? What if that were the norm?

Then we have a list of David's mighty men. His military All-Star team, as it were. These guys were not a welcome sight to David's enemies.

1. Josheb-Basshebeth - killed 800 men in one battle. Dang.

2. Eleazar - Master trash-talker, hand froze to his sword, and he continued to kick hiney.

3. Shammah - Great bean field defender.

Apparently, three guys, maybe the above, broke through Philistine ranks to bring David a drink of water. That's hardcore. David didn't even drink it.

4. Abishai - Speared three hundred dudes. Commander of the military.

5. Benaiah - Reminds me of Jack Bristow from Alias. All around BAMF. He took down Moab's top two. He slew a lion in a pit on a snowy day. He took a club against a huge Egyptian guy, took Egyptian guy's spear, and then killed Egyptian guy with Egyptian guy's own spear. You could see why David made Benaiah his body guard.

There was also Asahel, the runner who Abner killed, Elhanan (who killed another Goliath), another Shammah, Elika, Helez the Paltite, Ira, Abiezer from Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash, Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, the son of Hagri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite,
Gareb the Ithrite and Uriah the Hittite, whose wife David stole.