Useful Bible Studies > 2 Samuel Commentary > chapter 23
David was a good king, but still he could not control every evil person. In fact some evil people, for example Joab (1 Kings 2:5-6), even gained important jobs in his government (20:23).
God’s perfect king, the Messiah, will rule the whole world – and he will rule in a completely good and right manner (Isaiah 11:1-11). He will rescue his poor people from the enemies that have dealt so cruelly with them (1 Samuel 2:8).
So clearly, the Messiah must act firmly against those powerful people who carry out wicked acts on purpose.
David compares those people to thorns – weeds with sharp points. There will be no place for wicked people when Messiah rules – even as there is no proper place for thorns in a farmer’s field. The farmer cannot gather thorns by hand, as he would do for other weeds. The sharp points would cut into his hand. So, he deals with the thorns with a tool – perhaps even the same tool that a soldier would use to fight in a battle. The thorns are not useful to him, so he burns them to destroy them.
God’s desire is that wicked people will turn from their evil deeds (Ezekiel 18:23). If they truly turn to him, he will forgive them (Isaiah 1:18-20; 1 Timothy 1:12-16). However, they must not delay (2 Corinthians 6:2). The time to accept God’s kindness is now. God has been very patient with them – but the time for God’s patience will end suddenly (2 Peter 3:9-10). When God’s Messiah returns to rule, those wicked people will be in a situation without hope. He will act powerfully against them, and they cannot avoid their punishment.
Next part: The three bravest men in David's army (2 Samuel 23:8-12)
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© 2023, Keith Simons.