Epitaphs

2 Samuel 23:1 ~ "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."

How will you be remembered?

When the words of 2 Samuel were penned, and the final days of David's life was remembered, along with his final words, the author looked to the premier king of Israel and considered how the shepherd from Bethlehem should be remembered. Was David reflected upon as the man who killed Goliath and delivered the people from their enemies? Did the author of 2 Samuel consider all the grand expansion of the nation and the tactical brilliance of the king? Was David remembered for his strong leadership and his courage? 

Perhaps he might have been epitaphed with a recollection for some of the foolish judgements he made and the sins he committed. When the end of the king's days was upon him, was he remanded by the writer of the text for Bathsheba? Did the author of 2 Samuel forget about the great dilemma of Absalom? Surely all of that information was available as the writer penned his final view of the dramatic king of Israel. What would be said of David before the final words from David were added?

Though all those experiences were true of the king, the author of 2 Samuel penned these words about David, that he was: "The sweet psalmist of Israel." 

David was the king that all other kings would be compared. How often in the records of the nation of Israel was the statement, "as his father David," or "not like his father David" (for examples see 1 Kings 15:11 and 2 Kings 16:2).

But the statement made of David was not concerning his reign over Israel, but his worship of the LORD and guiding the people to worship God. David, for all his ups and downs as a king, never wavered in his desire to worship and serve the LORD. He was a man after God's own heart, and became the sweet psalmist of Israel.

People are often remembered for their greatest contributions made during their lives. And if that is the case, then the greatest contribution David made was providing the nation of Israel a kingly worship leader. David lived to bring glory to God. 73 of the 150 Psalms are directly attributed to him. But David didn't live for the accolades of men, he lived that God's name should be honored and worshiped.

Dear Christian, what will be the epitaph decorating the final words of those who would speak about you? You may have done great works--and those might be remembered by some. You may have committed and repented of great sins--and I can guarantee that there will be people to remember those. But, my friends, do not live that you should have a great name. Live in such a way that the name of God is greatly praised.

And if there is a epitaph that we might should strive to achieve, let it be said of us from the Lord Jesus according to Matthew 25:21, "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’"

Those are the words I long to hear.

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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