2 Samuel 23:3
New International Version
The 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,

New Living Translation
The God of Israel spoke. The Rock of Israel said to me: ‘The one who rules righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

English Standard Version
The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God,

Berean Standard Bible
The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

King James Bible
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

New King James Version
The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.

New American Standard Bible
“The God of Israel said it; The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over mankind righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,

NASB 1995
“The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,

NASB 1977
“The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,

Legacy Standard Bible
The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘He who rules over men as a righteous one, Who rules in the fear of God,

Amplified Bible
“The God of Israel, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,

Christian Standard Bible
The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, “The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me,” The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

American Standard Version
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,

Contemporary English Version
Our Mighty Rock, the God of Jacob, told me, "A ruler who obeys God and does right

English Revised Version
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,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The God of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, 'The one who rules humans with justice rules with the fear of God.

Good News Translation
The God of Israel has spoken; the protector of Israel said to me: "The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God,

International Standard Version
The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has talked to me. "When one is governing men justly, he fears God while governing.

Majority Standard Bible
The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ?He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

NET Bible
The God of Israel spoke, the protector of Israel spoke to me. The one who rules fairly among men, the one who rules in the fear of God,

New Heart English Bible
The God of Jacob said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, 'One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

Webster's Bible Translation
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

World English Bible
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He said—the God of Israel—to me, "" He spoke—the Rock of Israel: He who is ruling over man [is] righteous, "" He is ruling in the fear of God.

Young's Literal Translation
He said -- the God of Israel -- to me, He spake -- the Rock of Israel: He who is ruling over man is righteous, He is ruling in the fear of God.

Smith's Literal Translation
The God of Israel said to me, the Rock of Israel spake a parable upon the just man: a parable to fear God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The God of Israel said to me, the strong one of Israel spoke, the ruler of men, the just ruler in the fear of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The God of Israel spoke to me, the Strong One of Israel spoke, the Ruler of men, the Just Ruler, in the fear of God,

New American Bible
The God of Israel spoke; of me the Rock of Israel said, “One who rules over humankind with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

New Revised Standard Version
The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The God of Israel said, the Mighty One of Israel spoke to me: He who governs men must be righteous, ruling over those who revere God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The God of Israel spoke and said to me: “The Mighty One of Israel, he who is authorized among men is righteous, who is authorized in the awe of God
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'Ruler over men shall be The righteous, even he that ruleth in the fear of God,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The God of Israel says, A watchman out of Israel spoke to me a parable: I said among men, How will ye strengthen the fear of the anointed?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Last Song
2The 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, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, 4is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’…

Cross References
Psalm 72:1-2
Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. / May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.

Isaiah 11:1-5
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Proverbs 8:15-16
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

Isaiah 32:1
Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.

Psalm 45:6-7
Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. / You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Jeremiah 33:15-16
In those days and at that time I will cause to sprout for David a righteous Branch, and He will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely, and this is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Micah 5:2-4
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. / Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel. / He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.

Romans 13:1-4
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

Matthew 12:18-21
“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. / He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. ...

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

Hebrews 1:8-9
But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. / You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”

Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...


Treasury of Scripture

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He that rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

God

Genesis 33:20
And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael.

Exodus 3:15
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Exodus 19:5,6
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: …

the Rock

2 Samuel 22:2,32
And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; …

Deuteronomy 32:4,30,31
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he…

Psalm 42:9
I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

he that ruleth.

Psalm 110:2
The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

must be just

Exodus 23:6-8
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause…

Deuteronomy 16:18-20
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment…

Psalm 82:3,4
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy…

ruling

Exodus 18:21
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

2 Chronicles 19:7-9
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts…

Nehemiah 5:14
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

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2 Samuel 23
1. David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises
6. The different state of the wicked
8. A catalogue of David's mighty men














The God of Israel spoke;
This phrase emphasizes the divine authority and origin of the message. In the context of 2 Samuel, David is recounting his last words, and he attributes them to God Himself. The title "God of Israel" underscores the covenant relationship between God and the nation of Israel, highlighting His role as their protector and guide. This divine communication is consistent with how God spoke to the patriarchs and prophets throughout the Old Testament, such as to Moses in Exodus 3:14 and to the prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah.

the Rock of Israel said to me,
The term "Rock" is a metaphor for God's strength, stability, and reliability. It is a common biblical image used to describe God's unchanging nature and His role as a refuge for His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 18:2. In this context, it signifies that the message David received is not only authoritative but also trustworthy and enduring. The use of "Rock" also foreshadows Christ, who is referred to as the spiritual Rock in 1 Corinthians 10:4.

‘He who rules the people with justice,
This phrase sets a standard for leadership that is rooted in righteousness and fairness. In the historical context of ancient Israel, justice was a central aspect of the king's role, as seen in the laws given in Deuteronomy and the wisdom literature like Proverbs. The expectation for rulers to govern justly is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 11:4, where the Messiah is prophesied to rule with justice. This reflects God's own character as a just judge.

who rules in the fear of God,
Ruling in the "fear of God" implies a leadership that is accountable to divine authority and guided by reverence for God. This concept is deeply rooted in the wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs 9:10, which states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It suggests that true leadership is not only about justice but also about humility and submission to God's will. This principle is exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ, who perfectly submitted to the Father's will, as seen in John 5:30.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God of Israel
The one true God, Yahweh, who is the covenant God of Israel, speaking through His chosen servant.

2. Rock of Israel
A metaphorical title for God, emphasizing His strength, stability, and reliability.

3. David
The king of Israel, who is recounting the words of God as part of his final words and reflections on leadership.

4. Israel
The nation chosen by God, to whom these words are directed, emphasizing the importance of just and God-fearing leadership.

5. Rulers
Those in positions of authority, specifically in the context of Israel, but applicable to all leaders who are called to govern with justice and reverence for God.
Teaching Points
The Divine Source of Authority
Recognize that all authority comes from God, and leaders are accountable to Him.

Justice as a Hallmark of Leadership
True leadership is marked by justice, reflecting God's character and His expectations for those in authority.

Fear of God in Leadership
Leaders must govern with a reverent fear of God, acknowledging His ultimate authority and seeking His guidance.

Stability in God
Just as God is the Rock of Israel, leaders should be stable and reliable, providing security and trust for those they lead.

Legacy of Leadership
Consider the legacy you leave as a leader, ensuring it aligns with God's principles of justice and reverence.(3) The Rock of Israel.--Comp. 2Samuel 22:3. A frequent Scriptural comparison, appropriate here, to show the perfect reliability of what God declares.

He that ruleth.--The English gives the true sense, but the original is exceedingly elliptical, both here and in the following verse. The fundamental point of all just government has never been more perfectly set forth:--that it must be "in the fear of God."

Verses 3, 4. - He that ruleth, etc. This rendering of the Hebrew is very beautiful, and fit to be graven on the hearts of rulers. There is often almost an inspiration in the renderings of the Authorized Version. Grammatically, nevertheless, the psalm declares the blessedness of the king who is just, and may be translated as follows: -

"He that ruleth over men righteously,
That ruleth in the fear of God -
And as the morning light shall he be,
when the sun riseth,
A morning without clouds;
Yea, as the tender grass from the earth,
from sunshine, from rain."
A king who rules his people justly is as glorious as the sun rising in its strength to drive away the works of darkness, and give men, by precept and example, the light of clear knowledge of their duty. But the last metaphor is especially beautiful. In the summer, vegetation dries up under the burning heat of the sun; all is bare and brown, and a few withered stalks of the coarser plants alone remain. But when the rains come, followed by bright sunshine, nature at one burst flashes into beauty, and the hillsides and plains are covered with the soft green of the reviving grass, through which myriads of flowers soon push their way, and clothe the landscape with bright colours. So a just and upright government calls into being countless forms of human activity, and fosters all that is morally beautiful, while it checks the blighting influences of unregulated passion and selfish greed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

spoke;
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the Rock
צ֣וּר (ṣūr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6697: A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

said to me,
דִבֶּ֖ר (ḏib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

‘He who rules
מוֹשֵׁל֙ (mō·wō·šêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

the people
בָּאָדָ֔ם (bā·’ā·ḏām)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

with justice,
צַדִּ֕יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

who rules
מוֹשֵׁ֖ל (mō·wō·šêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

in the fear
יִרְאַ֥ת (yir·’aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3374: Fear, reverence

of God,
אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT History: 2 Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel said the Rock (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 23:2
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