2 Samuel 23:4

KJV

And [he shall be] as the light of the morning, [when] the sun riseth, [even] a morning without clouds; [as] the tender grass [springing] out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall be as the light {H216} of the morning {H1242}, when the sun {H8121} riseth {H2224}, even a morning {H1242} without {H3808} clouds {H5645}; as the tender grass {H1877} springing out of the earth {H776} by clear shining {H5051} after rain {H4306}.

Complete Jewish Bible

like the morning light at sunrise on a cloudless day that makes the grass on the earth sparkle after a rain.

Berean Standard Bible

is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’

American Standard Version

He shall beas the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, A morning without clouds, Whenthe tender grassspringeth out of the earth, Through clear shining after rain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 23:4, part of King David's final poetic and prophetic utterance, vividly portrays the ideal righteous ruler and the profound blessings that flow from such leadership. Employing rich natural imagery—the unclouded morning sun and tender grass flourishing after rain—the verse illustrates the clarity, vitality, and prosperity that a just, God-fearing king brings to his people. While speaking to earthly governance, its elevated language points beyond David to the ultimate, perfect King, the Messiah, whose reign embodies these ideals in their fullest and eternal sense.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within 2 Samuel 23:1-7, a passage traditionally known as "The Last Words of David." Positioned near the end of David's life and reign, it serves as a spiritual and prophetic testament from Israel's greatest king. Following the declaration in [2 Samuel 23:3](/2_samuel/23-3 "2 Samuel 23:3 - Conditions for Righteous Rule") that "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God," verse 4 functions as the glorious consequence and illustration of such righteous governance. The poetic structure and elevated language distinguish this section as a divinely inspired oracle concerning the nature of true kingship, not merely a personal reflection. It sets the stage for the subsequent list of David's mighty men, highlighting the foundation of his kingdom's strength in divine principle.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's reign (c. 1010-970 BC) marked a golden age for Israel, establishing a unified monarchy and securing its borders. However, even David, despite being "a man after God's own heart," experienced personal and national failures. This "last word" reflects a mature understanding of kingship, shaped by both successes and shortcomings, and a deep longing for ideal rule. In an agrarian society like ancient Israel, the imagery of morning light, sun, clouds, rain, and grass would have resonated deeply, symbolizing essential elements for life, growth, and prosperity. A ruler's impact was often directly linked to the land's fruitfulness and the people's well-being, making these natural metaphors particularly potent for conveying the benefits of righteous leadership.

* **Key Themes:** The passage profoundly explores several interconnected themes. Firstly, **Righteous Leadership and Its Impact** is central; the verse vividly portrays how a leader who governs with justice and reverence for God becomes a source of clarity, guidance, and life for his people, much like the morning sun or refreshing rain. This leadership fosters an environment of flourishing and well-being. Secondly, **Divine Blessing and Prosperity** is signified by the imagery of a "morning without clouds" and "tender grass springing out." This speaks of unobstructed divine favor, spiritual vitality, and abundant life under righteous authority, suggesting peace, material prosperity, and renewed life for the nation. Finally, and most significantly, the passage carries strong **Messianic Prophecy**. While David was a great king, the perfection of the imagery—a "morning without clouds," perfect conditions for growth—points to an ideal ruler beyond any human king. Many commentators recognize this as a prophetic gaze toward the ultimate, perfect King, the Messiah, whose reign would fully embody these divine ideals, establishing a kingdom of [justice and peace without end](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - The Everlasting Kingdom of the Messiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Light (אֹר, _'or'_):** This Hebrew word signifies illumination, guidance, and life. In biblical thought, light is often associated with God's presence, truth, and salvation (e.g., [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is My Light")). Here, the righteous ruler is depicted as a source of such light, dispelling darkness, confusion, and despair, and providing clear direction and hope for the people.
* **Morning (בֹּקֶר, _boqer'_):** The dawn or morning symbolizes new beginnings, clarity after darkness, and the promise of a new day. A "morning without clouds" emphasizes unhindered blessing and perfect visibility, implying a reign free from obstruction, gloom, or divine displeasure, bringing unadulterated joy and revelation.
* **Grass (דֶּשֶׁא, _deshe'_):** This term refers to tender, new vegetation, often symbolizing growth, renewal, and vitality. The imagery of "tender grass springing out" evokes the freshness of life, the flourishing of the land, and the spiritual and physical refreshment that comes from a benevolent and righteous influence, much like the life-giving presence of [Jesus, the true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [he shall be] as the light of the morning":** This clause introduces the primary simile, comparing the ideal ruler to the dawn. Just as the morning light dispels the darkness of night, so too does the righteous king bring clarity, truth, and hope, guiding his people out of confusion and despair.
* **"[when] the sun riseth, [even] a morning without clouds":** This expands on the morning imagery, emphasizing its perfection. The rising sun signifies a new era of unhindered blessing and prosperity. The qualification "without clouds" highlights an ideal state—no obscuring shadows, no impending storms, but pure, unadulterated light and warmth, symbolizing a reign of unblemished favor and peace.
* **"[as] the tender grass [springing] out of the earth":** This introduces a second powerful simile, shifting from light to life and growth. The "tender grass" represents new life, vitality, and flourishing. The image of it "springing out of the earth" conveys spontaneous, abundant, and natural growth, indicative of a period of great fruitfulness and renewal under the ruler's influence.
* **"by clear shining after rain":** This final phrase provides the perfect conditions for the grass's flourishing. The "clear shining" of the sun after a period of rain creates an ideal environment for growth, symbolizing the divine provision and nurturing care that accompanies righteous leadership. The rain brings refreshment, and the subsequent sun ensures robust development, signifying a reign that brings both spiritual and physical refreshment and prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 23:4 is rich in **Imagery** and **Simile**, painting a vivid picture of the ideal ruler's impact. The primary **Similes** "as the light of the morning" and "as the tender grass" directly compare the ruler's beneficial influence to natural phenomena. These are not mere comparisons but function almost as **Metaphors**, suggesting the ruler *is* a source of light and life. The phrase "a morning without clouds" is a powerful **Symbol** of unhindered blessing, clarity, and peace, contrasting with any obstruction or gloom. Similarly, the "tender grass springing out... by clear shining after rain" uses **Symbolism** to represent renewal, growth, and abundant prosperity, highlighting the ideal conditions for flourishing. The verse also employs a subtle form of **Parallelism**, where the two similes reinforce and expand upon the same core idea of a righteous ruler bringing life and light. The cumulative effect of these devices is to elevate the description of ideal kingship to a transcendent, almost divine, level, pointing beyond human imperfection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while describing the ideal human king, transcends mere earthly governance to touch upon profound theological truths about God's nature and kingdom. It reveals that true leadership, when aligned with divine principles, reflects God's own character as the source of light, life, and blessing. The imagery of an unclouded morning and flourishing grass speaks to a state of shalom (peace, wholeness, prosperity) that is ultimately God's desire for His creation and His people. It connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant with David, promising an enduring kingdom characterized by righteousness. The verse implicitly contrasts righteous rule with the darkness and desolation brought by unrighteous leadership, emphasizing that divine favor and national flourishing are contingent upon adherence to God's justice and fear.

* [Psalm 72:6](/psalms/72-6 "Psalm 72:6 - Righteous King as Rain")
* [Isaiah 60:1-3](/isaiah/60-1 "Isaiah 60:1-3 - Light and Glory of Zion")
* [Hosea 6:3](/hosea/6-3 "Hosea 6:3 - God's Coming Like the Morning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 23:4 offers timeless principles for all who lead, and indeed, for all believers. For those in positions of authority—whether in family, church, business, or government—it serves as a profound call to righteous leadership. It challenges leaders to emulate the "light of the morning," bringing clarity, integrity, and hope, dispelling confusion and darkness. It encourages them to be like the "clear shining after rain," fostering environments where people can flourish, grow, and experience renewal, both spiritually and practically. For all believers, this verse reminds us that we are called to reflect the character of our ultimate King, Jesus Christ. By walking in righteousness and truth, we can become agents of light and life in our spheres of influence, bringing hope, clarity, and spiritual refreshment to those around us, contributing to the flourishing of our communities and the advancement of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of true leadership, whether in a public or private sphere?**
* **In what specific ways can we, as believers, embody the "light of the morning" and foster "tender grass springing out" in our families, workplaces, or communities?**
* **What aspects of Christ's perfect reign does the imagery of an "unclouded morning" and "clear shining after rain" illuminate for you personally?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse primarily about David or the Messiah?**

Answer: This verse functions on both an immediate and a prophetic level. On one hand, it expresses David's ideal for human kingship, reflecting his own aspirations and the qualities he knew were necessary for a just ruler. On the other hand, the perfection of the imagery—a "morning without clouds," conditions for growth that are absolutely ideal—points beyond any imperfect human king, including David himself. It strongly foreshadows the ultimate, perfect King, the Messiah, whose reign alone would fully embody these divine ideals of light, clarity, and unhindered blessing.

**What does "a morning without clouds" signify?**

Answer: "A morning without clouds" signifies a period of unhindered blessing, perfect clarity, and the absence of any obstacles, gloom, or impending judgment. In ancient Israel, clouds could bring storms or obscure the sun, symbolizing trouble or divine displeasure. Thus, an unclouded morning represents pure, unobstructed divine favor, a time of peace, joy, and prosperity where the light of righteous rule shines brightly and without impediment, bringing forth abundant life.

**How does this relate to the Davidic Covenant?**

Answer: This verse serves as a poetic and prophetic echo of the Davidic Covenant found in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). The covenant promised David an enduring dynasty and a perpetual kingdom. This "last word" from David reinforces the *nature* of that promised kingdom—one characterized by justice, righteousness, and divine blessing. While David's earthly kingdom would eventually falter, the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant, and the perfect realization of the ideal ruler described in 2 Samuel 23:4, is found in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, the promised Son of David.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 23:4 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King. He is the very [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), whose coming dispelled the darkness of sin and ignorance, ushering in a "morning without clouds" for all who believe. His reign is characterized by absolute righteousness and justice, bringing forth spiritual vitality and abundant life, much like the "tender grass springing out of the earth." Just as the "clear shining after rain" brings flourishing, Christ's perfect sacrifice and the outpouring of His Spirit provide the ideal conditions for spiritual growth and renewal, transforming barren lives into fruitful gardens. He is the [righteous Branch](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5 - The Righteous Branch") from David's line, whose kingdom is [everlasting](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Never End") and brings true peace, healing, and flourishing to all nations, embodying the "Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings" (as prophesied in [Malachi 4:2](/malachi/4-2 "Malachi 4:2 - Sun of Righteousness with Healing in His Wings")).

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

Judges 5:31

So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but [let] them that love him [be] as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

Psalms 72:6

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth.

Psalms 89:36

His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

Hosea 6:5

Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth.

Psalms 110:3

Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.