The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me;This phrase highlights the divine inspiration behind David's words, emphasizing that his message is not merely human but divinely ordained. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the LORD often came upon individuals to empower them for specific tasks or to deliver God's message, as seen with prophets like Samuel (
1 Samuel 10:6) and Elijah (
1 Kings 18:12). This reflects the belief that the Holy Spirit was active in the lives of God's chosen leaders, guiding them to fulfill His purposes. The phrase also underscores the role of the Holy Spirit in the inspiration of Scripture, a concept further developed in the New Testament (
2 Peter 1:21).
His word was on my tongue.
This indicates that the words spoken by David were not his own but were given to him by God. This concept of divine speech is seen throughout the Bible, where God uses human agents to communicate His will, such as Moses (Exodus 4:12) and the prophets (Jeremiah 1:9). The phrase suggests a direct and intimate communication from God, ensuring the accuracy and authority of the message. It also prefigures the role of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), who perfectly communicated God's will and character to humanity. This connection between divine inspiration and human speech is foundational to the understanding of biblical prophecy and the authority of Scripture.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DavidThe speaker of this verse, King David, is reflecting on his life and the divine inspiration he received. He is recognized as a man after God's own heart and the second king of Israel.
2.
The Spirit of the LORDRefers to the Holy Spirit, who is the divine presence and power of God that inspires and guides His people. In this context, the Spirit is the source of David's prophetic words.
3.
IsraelThe nation over which David reigned as king. David's leadership and his relationship with God had a profound impact on the history and spiritual life of Israel.
4.
Prophetic UtteranceThis event involves David speaking under divine inspiration, indicating that his words are not merely his own but are given by God.
5.
The Word of GodThe focus of this verse is on the divine origin of the words spoken by David, emphasizing the authority and truth of God's message delivered through him.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Holy Spirit in InspirationThe Holy Spirit is the source of divine inspiration, guiding believers to speak and act according to God's will. Just as David was inspired, we too can seek the Spirit's guidance in our lives.
The Authority of God's WordDavid's acknowledgment of God's word on his tongue underscores the authority and truth of Scripture. We should approach the Bible with reverence, recognizing it as God's authoritative message to us.
The Importance of Prophetic VoicesGod uses individuals to convey His messages. We should be attentive to those whom God has called to speak His truth, ensuring their words align with Scripture.
Personal Reflection and ObedienceLike David, we should reflect on how God has spoken to us and be obedient to His guidance. This involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and openness to the Spirit's leading.
Living a Life of InfluenceDavid's life and words had a lasting impact on Israel. We are called to live in a way that influences others positively, pointing them to God through our words and actions.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 23:2?
2.How does 2 Samuel 23:2 emphasize the Holy Spirit's role in David's words?
3.What can we learn about divine inspiration from 2 Samuel 23:2?
4.How does 2 Samuel 23:2 connect to 2 Timothy 3:16 on Scripture's inspiration?
5.How can we ensure our words align with the Spirit's guidance today?
6.In what ways can we seek the Holy Spirit's influence in our speech?
7.How does 2 Samuel 23:2 affirm the divine inspiration of Scripture?
8.What does 2 Samuel 23:2 reveal about the role of the Holy Spirit in prophecy?
9.How does 2 Samuel 23:2 support the concept of biblical inerrancy?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 23?
11.(2 Samuel 23:2–3) If these are David’s “last words,” why do other chapters describe David speaking afterward?
12.If Psalm 15 is attributed to David, how can a flawed king instruct perfect moral conduct without undermining his own credibility?
13.What does the Bible say about soul ties?
14.Does God lie? (Titus 1:2 vs. 1 Kings 22:23)What Does 2 Samuel 23:2 Mean
The Spirit of the LORD•2 Samuel 23:2 opens by placing the source of David’s final words squarely in the divine realm: “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me.”
• From the very beginning of Scripture, the Spirit is revealed as the active, personal presence of God (Genesis 1:2).
• David had already experienced this anointing when “the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13).
• Throughout redemptive history the Spirit is the One who ignites prophecy (Acts 1:16;2 Peter 1:21); Jesus Himself confirmed, “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared…” (Mark 12:36).
• The verse therefore asserts that what follows isn’t David’s mere reflection but God’s immaculate self-revelation spoken through His Spirit.
Spoke through me• The phrase personalizes divine inspiration: the Spirit “spoke through me.” God chooses human instruments yet never relinquishes authorship.
• Scripture records similar moments—“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites…’ ” (Exodus 6:6); “The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah” (Jeremiah 1:2).
• David stands in the prophetic line: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high” (2 Samuel 23:1).
• The partnership is intimate, not mechanical. God shapes personality, vocabulary, and circumstance while guaranteeing an error-free message (Hebrews 1:1).
• By claiming, “He spoke through me,” David invites absolute trust in what he is about to say—trust rooted not in human insight but divine speech.
His word was on my tongue• Inspiration reaches its climax: “His word was on my tongue.” The communication passes flawlessly from God’s Spirit to David’s lips.
• Jeremiah experienced the same dynamic: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9). Isaiah echoed it: “My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart” (Isaiah 59:21).
• The New Testament confirms that “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), and the Thessalonian believers received apostolic teaching “not as the word of men, but as the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
• Because the word on David’s tongue is God’s own word, it carries authority, purity, and permanence (Psalm 19:7; 119:89).
• For readers today, the verse assures us that the Bible we hold is not a human attempt to reach God but God’s successful act of reaching us.
summary2 Samuel 23:2 declares that David’s closing oracle is Spirit-given, Spirit-guided, and Spirit-guaranteed. The Holy Spirit originates the message, employs David as His mouthpiece, and delivers the very words of God with complete accuracy. Consequently, the verse undergirds the trustworthiness of all Scripture and invites confidence that every biblical promise, command, and prophecy flows from the unerring voice of God Himself.
(2)
The Spirit of the Lord spake by me.--In accordance with
2Samuel 23:1, there is here, and also in the next clause, most explicit assertion that this was spoken under the prompting and guidance of the Divine Spirit.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The Spiritר֥וּחַ(rū·aḥ)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritof the LORDיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelspoke through me;דִּבֶּר־(dib·ber-)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdueHis wordוּמִלָּת֖וֹ(ū·mil·lā·ṯōw)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4405:A word, a discourse, a topicwas onעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstmy tongue.לְשׁוֹנִֽי׃(lə·šō·w·nî)Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3956:The tongue
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OT History: 2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of Yahweh spoke by me (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)