Day 294 – Last Words

2 Samuel 23:1 Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the Elohiym of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: 2 “The Ruwach of JEHOVAH spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.

 3 The Elohiym of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of Elohiym. 4 He will be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.’

 5 “Although my house is not so with Elohiym, yet He made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in everything and secure. For this is my salvation and my desire; will He not make it increase? 6 However, the sons of rebellion will be as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands. 7 However, the man who touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they will burn with fire in their place.”

 8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he killed eight hundred men at one time.

 9 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines gathered for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated.

 10 He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. JEHOVAH brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

 11 After him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. 12 However, he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And JEHOVAH brought about a great victory.

 13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. The troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless, he would not drink it but poured it out to JEHOVAH. 17 He said, “Far be it from me, JEHOVAH, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore, he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

 18 Now Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of another three. He lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three.

 19 Was he not the most honored of the three? Therefore, he became their captain. However, he did not attain to the first three.

 20 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who did many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. 21 He also killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so, he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. 22 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did and won a name among three mighty men. 23 He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. David appointed him over his guard.

 24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah (the Netophathite), Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite (of the sons of Jashen), Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite (armorbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah), 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

God’s names:

Elohiym – Supreme God

Ruwach – Violent Wind, Breath, Whirlwind, Spirit

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Rock of Israel

Deliverer

When peoples loved ones near death, they want to know their last words to remember them. People treasure the last words and hold them in their hearts as sacred.

David spoke his last words to the people of Israel and the people recorded them so they wouldn’t lose them. David acknowledged JEHOVAH and what He did in his life. He then recalled his mighty men and what they did for Israel. He wanted Israel to know why they were his mighty men.

Do you wonder what your last words will be when you face the moment when you will step into eternity and see Yeshuwa face to face? How will people remember you?

Many Christians look at this list of David’s mighty men and believe they don’t come close to their exploits. However, Yeshuwa didn’t call you to be like other mighty Christians. There is and always will be only one Billy Graham, one Mother Teresa, and one you. You are a mighty person for Yeshuwa when you listen to Yeshuwa, spend time with Him, and do what He asks you. He might not call you to go to the nations with the gospel, but He does call you to go to your neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances and show His love and mighty power to everyone you encounter.

What is your testimony of faith in Yeshuwa? Nobody has a testimony like it, but your testimony can help others know they can accept Yeshuwa just as they are, no strings attached. You are one of Yeshuwa’s mighty men and women. He brags about you to the angels in heaven and your exploits for the gospel. You might think your life is inconsequential, but Yeshuwa doesn’t. He sees what you do for Him and blesses your life because you belong to Him.

When you near death, people will want to know your last words too. Many last words become part of the eulogy, so do your exploits for the gospel. Let your life be a testimony of Yeshuwa’s love for you and people will remember you because you love Yeshuwa.

Let’s pray: Father, let my life be a testimony of obedience to You. Let people see Your love in my life and give You glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 8 November 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux