David, a Man After God’s HeartSample

David’s legacy

“Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel.” (2 Samuel 23:1)

At the end of his life, David gave a speech. In this speech, he introduced himself as “David, the son of Jesse.” He was not ashamed of being an Israelite of humble origins. His family background was part of his identity.

Secondly, David called himself “the man who was raised on high” and “the anointed of the God of Jacob.” David did not claim that his success as king was due to his own wisdom or abilities. God had raised him high, God anointed him king. Therefore, God was to be praised - which David did further on in his speech.

Third, David was “the sweet psalmist of Israel.” He wrote a lot of songs, and many of them were used in public worship in the temple. They tell how God saves in times of need, how great God really is, how good it is to serve Him ... This is the legacy David left to his people. And even believers living thousands of years later, scattered all over the earth, find recognition and encouragement in David's songs.

If you had to give a final speech before you died, how would you describe yourself? What legacy would you leave?