2 Samuel 23 4

2 Samuel 23:4 kjv

And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

2 Samuel 23:4 nkjv

And he shall 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.'

2 Samuel 23:4 niv

he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.'

2 Samuel 23:4 esv

he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.

2 Samuel 23:4 nlt

is like the light of morning at sunrise,
like a morning without clouds,
like the gleaming of the sun
on new grass after rain.'

2 Samuel 23 verses

2 Samuel 23 4 Meaning

2 Samuel 23:4 describes the ideal nature of a righteous ruler, prophetically pointing to the Messiah, God's anointed King. His rule is likened to life-giving elements of nature: the unfailing light of morning and sun, clear skies after rain, and fresh, tender grass. This imagery conveys a reign characterized by clarity, unwavering righteousness, prosperity, spiritual vitality, and refreshing blessing, in stark contrast to darkness, obscurity, and spiritual drought. It speaks of a kingdom that brings new life, flourishing, and unblemished peace to its subjects, emanating from a just and benevolent authority.

2 Samuel 23 4 Context

Chapter 23 begins with "Now these are the last words of David." This oracle follows a section detailing David's mighty men and precedes additional accounts of his later life and reign. The "last words" are not merely personal reflections but a divinely inspired summary of David's understanding of kingship and the future of God's covenant with his house. David acknowledges his own imperfect rule (v. 5) but articulates the divine standard for a righteous ruler (v. 3). Verse 4, therefore, serves as a pivotal description of this ideal king, pointing beyond David's flawed reality to the perfect, unblemished reign of the promised Messiah who would descend from his lineage. Historically, the nation had experienced periods of darkness and uncertainty, highlighting the deep longing for stable, just, and life-giving leadership.

2 Samuel 23 4 Word analysis

• He: Hu (הוּא). This pronoun refers to the "one who rules righteously over men, who rules in the fear of God" as stated in the preceding verse (2 Sam 23:3). While David desires to embody this, his words ultimately point to the ultimate King, the Messiah, who perfectly fulfills these conditions.
• shall be like: The Hebrew particle ka' (כְּ) indicates a comparison, a simile. The following natural images describe the qualities and effects of this ideal ruler's reign.
• the light: 'Or (אוֹר). Essential for life, clarity, guidance, and beauty. Light often symbolizes divine presence, truth, righteousness, and prosperity throughout Scripture.
• of morning: Boqer (בֹּקֶר). Refers to the beginning of the day, suggesting freshness, newness, hope, and revelation after the darkness of night.
• when the sun rises: Miẓrach Shemesh (מִזְרַח־שֶׁמֶשׁ). Specifically highlights the full manifestation and strength of the sun's illumination, bringing warmth, vitality, and productivity to the earth. This denotes a full, clear, and beneficial influence.
• a morning without clouds: Boqer lo' 'ab (בֹּקֶר לֹא עָב). Emphasizes unhindered light, purity, and clarity. Clouds can obscure, bring storms, or cast shadows. "Without clouds" signifies a reign free from moral obscurities, deceit, or anything that darkens the prosperity and joy it brings. It implies transparency and consistent blessing.
• like the tender grass: Keheif tzemer (כְּנֹגַהּ מִשֶּׂה לְהַשְׁקוֹת). This phrase is more nuanced than a simple translation. Nogah (נֹגַהּ) means "brightness" or "shining," and tzemer (צֶמֶר) refers to young shoots or plants, sometimes also "wool" (bright/white sheen). The imagery is of the glistening, vibrant freshness of new, young growth after moisture, signaling renewed life and abundance.
• from the earth: Min 'Areẓ (מִן־אָרֶץ). Indicates natural, foundational growth that comes from the ground, essential for sustaining life and representing inherent blessing.
• after rain: Mip-paṭar-rewaḥ (מִפַּטַר רְוָח). This phrase combines paṭar, suggesting "opening" or "breakthrough," with rewaḥ, meaning "broadness, space, refreshment, relief." It refers to the clear, refreshing aftermath of a rain shower, when life sprouts and flourishes unhindered. It implies relief and revitalization after a period of drought or hardship, leading to tangible blessing and growth.

Words-Group Analysis

• He shall be like the light of morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds: This entire comparison emphasizes the ruler's character as fundamentally righteous, luminous, and clear. His governance provides perfect clarity, truth, and warmth, banishing all darkness, confusion, and shadows of unrighteousness. It signifies an uninterrupted, consistently benevolent reign that is entirely predictable in its goodness.
• like the tender grass from the earth after rain: This phrase focuses on the life-giving and restorative effects of such a righteous reign. Just as rain transforms a parched landscape into one of lush growth, this ruler brings forth spiritual and physical prosperity, refreshment, and flourishing to the people under his dominion. It suggests growth, abundance, and revitalized life, all enabled by his benevolent rule.

2 Samuel 23 4 Bonus section

• Davidic Covenant Connection: This verse builds directly upon the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7), which promised an everlasting kingdom through David's lineage. David's "last words" serve as his personal meditation and prophecy on this covenant, articulating the character of the ultimate Son of David who would fulfill it perfectly. His acknowledgement of his own house "not so with God" (v.5) underscores the gap between his imperfect rule and the ideal righteous ruler he describes.
• Messianic Expectation: This passage stands as a foundational text for Jewish messianic expectations regarding a King who would reign in absolute righteousness, bringing peace, prosperity, and light to the world. It vividly contrasts with the historical reality of flawed human kingship in Israel and points forward to a time when divine perfection will be manifest through a human ruler.
• Divine Revelation Through Nature: The use of natural imagery (light, sun, clouds, grass, rain) is common in the Bible to describe divine attributes or the effects of God's blessing. Here, these powerful forces of nature are used as a metaphor for the transformative power and essential goodness of the righteous ruler, indicating his God-given authority and beneficent influence.

2 Samuel 23 4 Commentary

David's last words paint a vivid picture of the ideal righteous ruler, transcending his own human limitations and pointing squarely to the Messiah. This King will manifest truth, justice, and blessings with the unblemished clarity and consistency of a cloudless dawn, never fading or faltering. His reign will bring abundant spiritual and physical flourishing, refreshing his people and causing life to spring forth, much like the revitalizing effect of rain on tender grass. The imagery of light symbolizes His revelation, guidance, and triumph over darkness, while the flourishing grass signifies the prosperity and vibrant life He imparts. This verse holds hope for the world under the perfect reign of God's Anointed One, Jesus Christ, whose kingdom provides light, life, and perpetual blessing to all who dwell within it.