1. These are David’s last words:This is the declaration of Jesse’s son David,the declaration of a man raised high,a man anointed by the God of Jacob,a man favored by the strong one of Israel.
2. The Lord’s spirit speaks through me;his word is on my tongue.
3. Israel’s God has spoken,Israel’s rock said to me:"Whoever rules rightly over people,whoever rules in the fear of God,
4. is like the light of sunriseon a morning with no clouds,like the bright gleam after the rainthat brings grass from the ground."
5. Yes, my house is this way with God!He has made an eternal covenant with me,laid out and secure in every detail.Yes, he provides every one of my victoriesand brings my every desire to pass.
6. But despicable people are like thorns,all of them good for nothing,because they can’t be carried by hand.
7. No one can touch them,except with iron bar or the shaft of a spear.They must be burned up with fire right on the spot!
8. These are the names of David’s warriors: Jeshbaal from Hachmon was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against eight hundred, killing them on a single occasion.
9. Next in command was Eleazar, Dodo’s son and Ahohi’s grandson. He was among the three warriors with David when they insulted the Philistines who had gathered there for battle. The Israelites retreated,