Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 23:1

NOw these be the last words of David : David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high , the anointed of the God of Jacob , and the sweet psalmist of Israel , said,

Not simply the last that he spoke, but some of the last uttered in his last days upon the approach of his death: or, the last which he spake by the Spirit of God, assisting and directing him in an extraordinary manner.

Advanced from an obscure Family and Estate, to the Kingdom.

Whom, though despised by Men, and rejected by his own Brethren, God himself singled out from all his Fathers House, and out of all the Families and Tribes of Israel, and anointed to be King.

Or, sweet, or delightful, or amiable in the Songs of Israel: Either, First, As the object of them: he whom the people of Israel mentioned in their Songs with joy and praise, as when they Sung, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands; and many others which doubtless they made and Sung concerning him, upon the occasion of his eminent Victories, and the blessings of his wife and righteous Government; some whereof we have in the Book of Psalms. Or, 2dly, As the Author of them: he who was eminent and famous among the people of God, for the composing of sweet and holy Songs to the praise of God, and for the use of his Church in after Ages: For he did not only indite most of the Book of Psalms, by the direction of Gods Spirit; but also invented the Tunes, or appointed Tunes to which they were to be Sung, and the Instruments of M[illegible: 1+ letters]sick which were used in and with those Holy Songs, 1 Chron. 25. 2, 6. Amos 6. 5. If the expressions here used seem arrogant, and not fit to be said by David in his own praise; let him consider, First, That Holy men spake by inspiration from God; and therefore must follow his suggestions impartially, as indeed they do, sometimes in the publishing their own praises; which yet is never done unnecessarily, and always moderately; and sometimes in the publishing of their own infirmities and shame, as they are moved thereunto, and as the Edification of the Church requires. Secondly, That these seem not to be the words of David, but of the Sacred Penman of this Book, to make way for, and gain the greater attention and respect unto David's following words.