Verse 1 – The words “These are the last words of David” is not intended chronologically. Perhaps the section contains David’s last recorded public statement or testimony to God’s work through his life.
Verse 5 – “My house” denotes David’s family. God’s everlasting covenant with David’s house was ordered and secured in every detail.
Verses 6, 7 – David’s experience had taught him that the wicked had no future in God’s plan.
Verses 9, 10 – Eleazar displayed tenacity as he attacked the Philistines, yet the Lord brought the victory. The troops later returned later to plunder the dead—a means of securing extra payment for their military service.
Verse 12 – The Philistines and other enemies often came up Judah’s valleys to raid food supplies.
Verse 15 – Probably David’s wish came not only from his thirst, but from his desire that his hometown would once again know the peace that allowed people to drink from the well at the city gate freely.
Verse 16 – David poured out the water as an offering to God because he was so moved by the sacrifice it represented. David would not drink this water that represented the lives of his soldiers. Instead, he offered it to God.
Verse 18 – Abishai, Joab’s brother, played a leading role in David’s rise to power and kingship.
Verse 34 – According to 11:3 in 2 Samuel, Eliam was Bathsheba’s father. If this is the same Eliam, then Ahithophel, counselor to David and Absalom (15:31), would be Bathsheba’s grandfather.
Verse 39 – The text intentionally ends with the mention of Uriah the Hittite. Uriah was another foreigner among David’s mighty men. He gave his life for David under the most evil of circumstances (11:14-17).
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