2 Samuel 23:2

KJV

The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my tongue.

KJV (with Strong's)

The Spirit {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} by me, and his word {H4405} was in my tongue {H3956}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"The Spirit of ADONAI spoke through me, his word was on my tongue.

Berean Standard Bible

The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.

American Standard Version

The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me, And his word was upon my tongue.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 23:2 serves as the profound opening declaration of King David's "last words," a divinely inspired testament delivered near the end of his illustrious reign. This verse firmly establishes that David's ensuing pronouncements are not merely his personal reflections or political wisdom, but direct, authoritative revelations from God, communicated through him as a chosen instrument. It underscores the concept of divine inspiration, asserting that the very words articulated by David were placed in his mouth by the Spirit of the LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows 2 Samuel 23:1, which introduces David as "the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel." This introductory verse sets a majestic and authoritative tone, identifying David not just as a king but as a divinely appointed figure, a recipient of God's anointing, and a gifted poet and worshiper. The transition from this grand title to David's direct claim of divine inspiration in 2 Samuel 23:2 is seamless, establishing the prophetic weight of the entire oracle that follows. The subsequent verses (2 Samuel 23:3-7) then expand upon the nature of a righteous ruler and God's everlasting covenant with David, demonstrating the practical outworking of the divine word spoken through him. The entire chapter functions as a theological and ethical summary of David's life and reign, presented as a final, inspired testament.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's "last words" are delivered at a pivotal moment, presumably near the end of his life and reign, as chronicled in the latter chapters of 2 Samuel and the beginning of 1 Kings. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the final words of a patriarch or king often carried immense significance, serving as a will, a blessing, or a prophecy for the future (e.g., [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Genesis 49 - Jacob's Prophetic Blessings")). For a king like David, whose reign had been marked by both divine favor and personal failures, a final, divinely inspired utterance would have been seen as an ultimate validation of his covenant relationship with God and a crucial guide for his successors and the nation. The concept of a ruler speaking with divine authority was not uncommon, but David's specific claim of the "Spirit of the LORD" speaking *by* him and His "word... in my tongue" elevates this beyond mere political wisdom to direct prophetic utterance, akin to the pronouncements of Israel's great prophets.
* **Key Themes:** 2 Samuel 23:2 introduces and reinforces several critical themes that permeate the biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully asserts the theme of **Divine Inspiration and Revelation**, emphasizing that God actively communicates His will and truth to humanity through chosen individuals. This verse highlights God's sovereignty in initiating and directing His message, using David as His mouthpiece. Secondly, it underscores **David's Prophetic Role**, often overshadowed by his identity as a warrior and king. Here, David explicitly presents himself as a conduit for God's word, a "sweet psalmist" whose songs and pronouncements are divinely breathed. This aligns with later New Testament affirmations of David as a prophet, such as Peter's sermon in [Acts 2:30](/acts/2-30 "Acts 2:30 - David as a Prophet"). Thirdly, it contributes to the broader theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, as David's subsequent words in this chapter elaborate on the "everlasting covenant" (2 Samuel 23:5), demonstrating that God's promises to David and his lineage are rooted in His unchanging character and revealed word. This divine word, spoken through David, serves as the foundation for understanding God's ongoing relationship with His people and the future of the Davidic dynasty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _ruach'_):** The Hebrew word רוּחַ (_ruach_) is rich in meaning, encompassing "wind," "breath," and "spirit." In the context of "The Spirit of the LORD" (רוּחַ יְהוָה, _Ruach Yahweh_), it denotes the active, powerful, and life-giving presence of God. It signifies divine energy, animating force, and the very essence of God's being as it interacts with creation and humanity. Here, it specifically refers to the divine agent of inspiration, the very breath of God that empowers and directs David's speech.
* **Spake (Hebrew, _dibber'_):** The verb דִּבֶּר (_dibber_), from the root דָּבַר (_davar_), means "to speak," "to declare," or "to utter." Its use here, "spake by me" (דִּבֶּר בִּי, _dibber bi_), emphasizes that David is not the originator of the message but the instrument through whom the divine word is articulated. The preposition "by" (בִּי, _bi_) indicates agency, confirming David's role as a conduit rather than the source.
* **Word (Hebrew, _millah'_):** The Hebrew word מִלָּה (_millah_) refers to a "word," "utterance," or "speech." It denotes the specific content and articulation of the message. The phrase "his word [was] in my tongue" (וּמִלָּתוֹ עַל־לְשׁוֹנִי, _u-millato al-leshoni_) powerfully conveys the idea of verbal inspiration—that the very words David spoke were God's words, placed directly into his mouth and formed on his tongue. This is a strong affirmation of the divine origin and precise nature of the revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Spirit of the LORD spake by me":** This initial clause unequivocally attributes the origin of David's words to God's Spirit. It asserts that David is not speaking on his own authority or from his own wisdom, but rather as a divinely chosen and empowered vessel. The Spirit of the LORD is the active agent, initiating and guiding the communication. This highlights the supernatural nature of the revelation, distinguishing it from mere human insight or opinion.
* **"and his word [was] in my tongue":** This second clause reinforces and specifies the nature of the divine communication. It clarifies that the *content* of the message, the very words themselves, were placed by God into David's mouth. The phrase "in my tongue" emphasizes the direct, immediate, and precise nature of the inspiration. It implies that David's role was to articulate what God had already formulated, ensuring the purity and accuracy of the divine message as it was delivered. This is a profound statement about the verbal plenary inspiration of Scripture, where God's Spirit not only prompts the message but also guides its specific linguistic expression.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 23:2 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Metonymy**, where "tongue" stands in for the act of speaking or the words themselves. By stating "his word was in my tongue," David uses a part (tongue) to represent the whole action (speaking God's words), emphasizing the direct and physical instrumentality of his speech. This also borders on **Synecdoche**. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Personification** of the "Spirit of the LORD," portraying God's Spirit as an active agent that "spake," imbuing it with communicative ability. This underscores the dynamic and personal nature of divine revelation. The entire statement functions as a **Prophetic Declaration**, immediately establishing the authoritative and divinely sanctioned nature of David's "last words," setting the stage for the oracle that follows. The concise, declarative structure also lends it an air of **Aphorism** or a foundational truth, meant to be understood as an absolute statement of divine authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse lays a foundational theological principle: the divine origin and authority of prophetic utterance. It asserts that God is not silent but actively communicates His will and truth to humanity through chosen individuals. This concept of God speaking through human agents is central to the entire biblical narrative, validating the Scriptures as God's very breath. David's claim here aligns him with the great prophets of Israel, whose words were understood to be direct messages from the Almighty, carrying divine weight and demanding obedience. It underscores the profound mystery and privilege of divine revelation, where the infinite God condescends to speak intelligibly to finite humanity, using human language and human instruments. This divine inspiration ensures the trustworthiness and infallibility of the message, making it a reliable guide for faith and life.

* [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "God's Promise of a Prophet Like Moses")
* [Jeremiah 1:9](/jeremiah/1-9 "God Puts His Words in Jeremiah's Mouth")
* [2 Peter 1:21](/2_peter/1-21 "Holy Men Spoke as Moved by the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 23:2 offers a profound lens through which to view the nature of biblical authority and our engagement with God's Word. If the "Spirit of the LORD spake by" David, and "his word was in my tongue," then we are confronted with the reality that the Scriptures are not merely human literature, but divinely breathed revelation. This understanding should cultivate in us a deep reverence for the Bible, approaching it not as a collection of ancient texts, but as the living, active voice of God (Hebrews 4:12). It calls us to listen attentively, to study diligently, and to obey wholeheartedly, recognizing that in these words, God Himself is speaking to us. Furthermore, David's role as a conduit invites us to consider our own lives. While we may not be prophets in the same unique sense, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This challenges us to ask: Are we allowing the Spirit to speak through us, to shape our words and actions, so that our lives might bear witness to God's truth in the world? How might we, like David, become instruments through whom God's word can be heard and seen?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the divine origin of David's words impact your view of the Bible's authority?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a deeper reverence for Scripture as the "word of the LORD"?**
* **How might the Holy Spirit desire to speak through you in your daily interactions?**
* **What practical steps can you take to align your words more closely with God's truth?**

### FAQ
**What does "The Spirit of the LORD spake by me" mean for the inspiration of Scripture?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful declaration of verbal plenary inspiration, meaning that God's Spirit not only prompted the message but also guided the very words David spoke. It signifies that David was not merely expressing his own thoughts or wisdom, but was acting as a direct conduit for God's divine revelation. The Spirit of the LORD was the active agent, ensuring that the message was precisely what God intended to communicate. This concept is foundational to understanding the trustworthiness and authority of the Bible, as it asserts that the words themselves are divinely given. This is echoed in [2 Peter 1:21](/2_peter/1-21 "2 Peter 1:21 - Holy Men Spoke as Moved by the Holy Spirit"), which states that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

**How does David's role as a prophet relate to his identity as a king and psalmist?**

Answer: While David is primarily known as a warrior-king and the "sweet psalmist of Israel," 2 Samuel 23:2 highlights his often-overlooked prophetic dimension. This verse explicitly presents him as a mouthpiece for God, underscoring that his words, whether in song or prophecy, carried divine authority. His kingship was divinely appointed, and his psalms were often inspired expressions of theological truth and worship. Therefore, his prophetic role was not separate from but integral to his other identities. As king, he was God's anointed representative; as psalmist, he gave voice to God's truth and the people's devotion; and as prophet, he directly communicated God's specific messages, particularly concerning the covenant and the future of his lineage. The New Testament confirms this, with Peter referring to David as a prophet in [Acts 2:30](/acts/2-30 "Acts 2:30 - David as a Prophet").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 23:2, with its powerful assertion of divine inspiration through David, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king and prophet, served as a type and shadow of the greater King and Prophet to come. If the Spirit of the LORD spoke *by* David, how much more perfectly did the Spirit dwell *in* and speak *through* Jesus, who is God incarnate? Jesus is the very "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the ultimate revelation of God to humanity. His words were not merely inspired, but were the very words of God Himself, for He declared, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Jesus' Words are Spirit and Life")). Furthermore, David's "last words" in this chapter speak of an "everlasting covenant" and a "righteous ruler" who will establish an eternal kingdom ([2 Samuel 23:5](/2_samuel/23-5 "2 Samuel 23:5 - David's Everlasting Covenant")). This covenant, initially made with David, finds its complete and eternal realization in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom is without end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Son of David, Whose Kingdom Has No End")). Thus, David's inspired utterance points forward to the one in whom all God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), the ultimate embodiment of God's Spirit and His living Word.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 22:43

He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

Mark 12:36

For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Hebrews 3:7

¶ Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Hebrews 3:8

Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Acts 2:25

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

Acts 2:31

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.