SUMMARY
Functioning together with David’s song of praise (chapter 22) as a counterpoint to the song of HannahThe mother of the prophet Samuel. that opened the books of SamuelThe judge who anointed the first two kings of Israel, David’s last words affirm that God will remain faithful to the everlasting covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God's people are known as covenants; they state or imply a relationship of commitment and obedience. between God and the house of DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms..
ANALYSIS
The most difficult aspect of this text is determining who says what. Most assume that God speaks in verses 3b-4 and David speaks in verses 5-7. But the text presents itself as an “oracle” of David (v. 1a), in which God speaks through David, much like Balaam’s famous oracles (Numbers 24:3, 15). This seems to be the case in verses 3b-4 and verses 6-7, which resemble a wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... saying contrasting godly kings with godless people. The use of the first person (“me,” “my”) with reference to David’s “house” and third person “he” with reference to what is certainly God’s activity in verse 5 suggests that David interrupts the divine oracleAn oracle is a divine utterance of guidance, promise, or judgment delivered to humans through an intermediary (who is often also called an oracle). In the Bible oracles are given by Balaam (in the book of Numbers) and by David (in 2 Samuel). A number... midstream with rhetorical questions claiming God’s promise (v. 5a, c). In the center stands the affirmation that David and his house can serve as godly rulers only because (ki, “for”) of the “everlasting covenant” forged in 2 Samuel 7:14-16:
A God speaks of godly rulers (vv. 3b-4)
B David: “Is not [ki lo] my house like this with God?” (v. 5a)
X Because (ki) of the everlasting covenant (v. 5b)
B′ David: “Will he [God] not [ki lo] …prosper all my help and my desire?” (v. 5c)
A′ God speaks of godless people (vv. 6-7)
On this reading, David’s last words are really God’s, words claiming that a godly king is God’s blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. to the nation. As long as God is with David, the godless have no hope. David responds with the exuberant exclamation that his house will prosper in this way because of God’s everlasting promise.
