Title: David's Final Days (2 Samuel Chapters 23 & 24) - Lesson from May 11, 2025

Introduction: Last words are often monumental. Legally, deathbed confessions are considered to be reliable. Some last words are so special that they are taught in classrooms. For instance take Nathan Hale's famous quote:

I regret that I have but one life to give for my country. -Nathan Hale
I go to prepare a place for you. -Harriet Tubman
Jesus is preparing a place for me. -George Washington Carver’s
I want to go, I’m ready to go, God take me. -Dwight D Eisenhower
They couldn’t hit an Elephant at this distance. -Gen John Sedgwick (Civil War)

King David also left some final words which are recorded for us in chapter 23 of 2nd Samuel.

David’s Final Words: 2 Samuel 23:1-7 - The Introduction by the scribe - David praises the LORD and acknowledges His Spirit - David acknowledges that his own power and reign is from God. - David honors his covenant with God - The futility of the man without God.
David’s Mighty Men 2 Samuel 23:8-39
David’s Census 2 Samuel 24:1-9
The Lord’s judgement on David’s sin 2 Samuel 24:10-17
David builds an altar 2 Samuel 24:18-25

1 Kings 1 & 2:

David is Old
Adonijah sets himself up as king
Nathan & Bathsheba appear before David
Solomon is anointed as king over Israel
David instructs Solomon
The death of David

Conclusion: David was a boy who did not simply rise from obscurity to greatness. David was a boy who God looked down upon and chose as His instrument. David was a boy who became a “man after God’s own heart”.

David, of course, was only human. We read and know about his sins. However, God never removes his titles. God’s Holy Spirit continued to direct the scripture writers to refer to David as a man after God’s own heart. Jesus would take the title of “son of David”

As a boy David valued personal worship. He was the humble shepherd who worshiped in Psalms as God’s Holy Spirit moved upon him to compose. As both a boy and a man David’s faith would carry him into battle again and again against overwhelming odds.

As a leader, there is none like David. He would find followers in bot Israel and abroad that would follow him into battle and support his kingdom. As a sinner, David understood repentance. Once he recognized his sin he not only confessed but then turned in repentance.

Following his repentance David would accept the consequences of sin but then continue to serve his LORD. He did not see his failures as his end. He was not deceived into quitting the work that God had for him.

Lastly, David never sought his own will. Yes, he had moments of pride but David never lost sight of the fact that his throne belonged to the LORD. David’s kingdom was the LORD’s. It was for the LORD to give and it was for the LORD to remove. It was David who would repeat the words, “Who am I” again and again. So, As we conclude our study; who was David? For us David is an example. He was a warrior in our times of adversary, He is a companion ion our grief and our failures. He is a type of Christ in our hopeful expectation. Finally, he is our brother in Christ with whom one day we will meet to rule and reign together as we serve Christ in His Kingdom.

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Teacher: Chris Cordes

Keywords: 2 Samuel 2nd Samuel Second Samuel Bible David Christian Christianity Sunday School Religion Religious Prayer Book of Samuel Old Testament