2 Samuel 23:3 “The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules…”

2 Samuel 23:3

The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

World English Bible

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

American Standard Version

The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me: One that ruleth over men righteously, That ruleth in the fear of God,

Geneva Bible 1599

The God of Israel spake to me, ye strength of Israel saide, Thou shalt beare rule ouer men, being iust, and ruling in the feare of God.

Darby Translation

The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, The ruler among men shall be just, Ruling in the fear of God;

Young's Literal Translation

He said — the God of Israel — to me, He spake — the Rock of Israel: He who is ruling over man [is] righteous, He is ruling in the fear of God.

Bible in Basic English

The God of Israel said, the word of the Rock of Israel came to me: When an upright king is ruling over men, when he is ruling in the fear of God,

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Cross references

“God”

Genesis 33:20 Exodus 20:2 Exodus 3:15 Exodus 19:5 Exodus 19:6

Genesis 33:20 · BSB

There he set up an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

Exodus 20:2 · BSB

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Exodus 3:15 · BSB

God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remember…

Exodus 19:5 · BSB

Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.

Exodus 19:6 · BSB

And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

“the Rock”

Deuteronomy 32:4 2 Samuel 22:32 Psalm 42:9 2 Samuel 22:2 Deuteronomy 32:30 Deuteronomy 32:31

Deuteronomy 32:4 · BSB

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

2 Samuel 22:32 · BSB

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

Psalm 42:9 · BSB

I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”

2 Samuel 22:2 · BSB

He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.

Deuteronomy 32:30 · BSB

How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?

Deuteronomy 32:31 · BSB

For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies concede.

“He that ruleth”

Psalm 110:2

Psalm 110:2 · BSB

The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

“must be just”

Exodus 23:6–8 Deuteronomy 16:18–20 Zechariah 9:9 Hebrews 1:8 Isaiah 32:1 Jeremiah 23:5

Exodus 23:6–8 · BSB

You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

Deuteronomy 16:18–20 · BSB

You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.

Zechariah 9:9 · BSB

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Hebrews 1:8 · BSB

But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

Isaiah 32:1 · BSB

Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.

Jeremiah 23:5 · BSB

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

“ruling”

Exodus 18:21 2 Chronicles 19:7–9 Nehemiah 5:14

Exodus 18:21 · BSB

Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

2 Chronicles 19:7–9 · BSB

And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

Nehemiah 5:14 · BSB

Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted…

Also

Psalm 72:2 Isaiah 11:1–5

Psalm 72:2 · BSB

May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.

Isaiah 11:1–5 · BSB

Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.

4is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’

Read 2 Samuel 23