2 Samuel 23:1-7

Pancho Villa, the Mexican revolutionary, who died in 1923, said, “Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something.”

If you had the chance to reflect on what your last words would be, what would you say?

It’s not known if these were the last words David uttered, but they were the last recorded and inspired words that he said. It was a farewell statement.

We can learn much from his statement. When you say your last words —

I. Tell of who you are (v. 1)

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David was not ashamed of his background. The eighth son of Jesse, David grew up chasing sheep outside Bethlehem. Shepherds were a dime a dozen. Yet from his humble beginnings, David was exalted, or raised to a higher position, by God. God, in his infinite wisdom, had reached down and plucked David out of all the boys and shepherds of Israel to choose him as the king of Israel.

David wasn’t just any king. God anointed him. He was set apart for God’s use, to represent God, to speak on his behalf, to be his ambassador. His was a high calling.

Do you ever think of who you are? Don’t be ashamed of your background and your humble beginnings. It doesn’t matter so much where you started; it matters where you end.

II. Speak of what you did (vv. 1-5)

David will best be remembered as “Israel’s singer of songs.” David was the quintessential singer-songwriter. In today’s world, he would be a pop star with national fame. His musing and praises and prayers to God have forever been recorded for prosperity in the book we know as the Psalms. But, to summarize his life as a poet and musician would be to miss the totality of his life.

He was God’s spokesman. If his prayers are any indication, thoughts of God and words about God were always on his lips. One would not have been in his presence long without them hearing David speak of his love for his Heavenly Father. David often used different names for God – names such as “Shield,” “Defender,” “Savior,” “Shepherd,” to name a few. One of his favorite names for God was “Rock.” (See Psalm 28:1 and 62:8).

He ruled with righteousness before men. Righteousness, or right standing with God and fellow man, was a constant theme in David’s life. It should be in our lives as well. David was a great ruler. Some people love the power, but abuse people. David loved people and understood that his power was to help people.

Coupled with dealing with people correctly was relating to God properly, ruling in the fear of God. The Hebrew word normally translated fear means reverent fear, terror, or dread. Other words in Hebrew are translated respect, reverence, or honor. David knew that in one breath God could extinguish his life; therefore, he was filled with dread of a holy God.

David’s rule in righteousness before God had positive results. First, he brought clarity to confusing situations and problems, like the dawn of a sunrise after the darkness of night. Second, he revived that which was dead, bringing back it back to life, much like rain to parched grass. An effective leader will always bring clarity to confusion and new life where vestiges of life exist.

III. Inform others that you are ready for death (vv. 5-7)

David understood that death can be postponed, but it cannot be avoided. He made sure that his house was in order. In other words, he lived every day knowing that this day may be his last. He was right with God and with his fellow man. God had made an “everlasting covenant” with him. God would keep His promise. God would hold true to the promise He had made. That assurance gave David great security and comfort in facing death. It will do the same for us.

In contrast, those people who have not put their spiritual house in order will be cast aside and burned up when they die. Not a pretty sight.

What would your last words be? Would they be meaningful? Would they be insightful? It’s fascinating how at the point of death what really matters rushes to the forefront of our speech; maybe those words should be on our lips everyday.

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