II Samuel 22
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
David spake unto the Lord the words of this song - This is the same in substance, and almost in words, with Psalm 18:1-50, and therefore the exposition of it must be reserved till it occurs in its course in that book, with the exception of a very few observations, and Dr. Kennicott's general view of the subject.
Open source ↗DAVID PROFESSES HIS FAITH IN GOD'S PROMISES. (Sa2 23:1-7) Now these be the last words of David--Various opinions are entertained as to the precise meaning of this statement, which, it is obvious, proceeded from the compiler or collector of the sacred canon. Some think that, as there is no division of chapters in the Hebrew Scriptures, this introduction was intended to show that what follows is no part of the preceding song. Others regard this as the last of the king's poetical compositions; while still others consider it the last of his utterances as an inspired writer. raised up on high--from an obscure family and condition to a throne. the anointed of the God of Jacob--chosen to be king by the special appointment of that God, to whom, by virtue of an ancient covenant, the people of Israel owed all their peculiar destiny and distinguished privileges. the sweet psalmist of Israel--that is, delightful, highly esteemed.
Open source ↗And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul. See Gill on Psa 18:1. . 2 Samuel 22:2 sa2 22:2 sa2 22:2 sa2 22:2And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer. See Gill on Psa 18:2.
Open source ↗The heading is formed precisely according to the introductory formula of the song of Moses in Deu 31:30, and was no doubt taken from the larger historical work employed by the author of our books. It was probably also adopted from this into the canonical collection of the Psalter, and simply brought into conformity with the headings of the other psalms by the alteration of דּוד וידבּר (and David said) into דּבּר עשׁר לדוד יהוה לעבד ("Of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake:" Eng. ver.), and the insertion of למנצּח ("to the chief musician:" Eng. ver.) at the head (see Delitzsch on the Psalms). "In the day," i.e., at the time, "when Jehovah had delivered him." Deliverance "out of the hand of Saul" is specially mentioned, not because this was the last, but because it was the greatest and most glorious, - a deliverance out of the deepest misery into regal might and glory. The psalm is opened by ויּאמר in both texts.
Open source ↗Observe here, I. That it has often been the lot of God's people to have many enemies, and to be in imminent danger of falling into their hands. David was a man after God's heart, but not after men's heart: many were those that hated him, and sought his ruin; Saul is particularly named, either, 1. As distinguished from his enemies of the heathen nations. Saul hated David, but David did not hate Saul, and therefore would not reckon him among his enemies; or, rather, 2. As the chief of his enemies, who was more malicious and powerful than any of them. Let not those whom God loves marvel if the world hate them. II. Those that trust God in the way of duty shall find him a present help to them in their greatest dangers. David did so. God delivered him out of the hand of Saul. He takes special notice of this. Remarkable preservations should be mentioned in our praises with a particular emphasis. He delivered him also out of the hand of all his enemies, one after another, sometimes in one way, sometimes in another; and David, from his own experience, has assured us that, though many are the troubles of the righteous, yet the Lord delivers them out of them all, Psa 34:19. We shall never be delivered from all our enemies till we get to heaven; and to that heavenly kingdom God will preserve all that are his, Ti2 4:18. III. Those that have received many signal mercies from God ought to give him the glory of them. Every new mercy in our hand should put a new song into our mouth, even praises to our God. Where there is a grateful heart, out of the abundance of that the mouth will speak. David spoke, not only to himself, for his own pleasure, not merely to those about him, for their instruction, but to the Lord, for his honour, the words of this song. Then we sing with grace when we s…
Open source ↗22:1-51 Although this prayer of thanksgiving (also recorded in Ps 18) is placed near the end of David’s story, David probably offered it to God much earlier in his life. This prayer and Hannah’s (1 Sam 2:1-10) together enclose the book of Samuel with an inclusio (literary bookends). Hannah was saved from barrenness; David was saved from his enemies. The placement of this hymn also provides a parallel to Moses. The stories of both Moses and David end with a song or hymn giving lavish praise to God (see also Deut 31:30–32:43). Both highlight God as a “Rock” (Deut 32:4, 15, 18, 30, 31; 2 Sam 22:2, 3, 32, 47). Both are followed by second and shorter poetic pieces—Moses’ final blessing to the Israelite tribes (Deut 33), and David’s last words (2 Sam 23:1-7).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God סֶלַע (çelaʻ, H5553) — a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) מָצוּד (mâtsûwd, H4686) — a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness פָּלַט (pâlaṭ, H6403) — to slip out, i.e. escape; causatively, to deliver
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… חָסָה (châçâh, H2620) — to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… יֶשַׁע (yeshaʻ, H3468) — liberty, deliverance, prosperity מִשְׂגָּב (misgâb, H4869) — defence, high fort (tower), refuge, Misgab, a place in Moab מָנוֹס (mânôwç, H4498) — a retreat (literally or figuratively); abstractly, a fleeing יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary
Open source ↗מִשְׁבָּר (mishbâr, H4867) — a breaker (of the sea) מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… אָפַף (ʼâphaph, H661) — to surround נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, H1100) — without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness בָּעַת (bâʻath, H1204) — to fear
Open source ↗חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories… סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively מוֹקֵשׁ (môwqêsh, H4170) — a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… קָדַם (qâdam, H6923) — to project (one self), i.e. precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help)
Open source ↗צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple שַׁוְעָה (shavʻâh, H7775) — a hallooing אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) גָּעַשׁ (gâʻash, H1607) — to agitate violently רָעַשׁ (râʻash, H7493) — to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through… מוֹסָדָה (môwçâdâh, H4146) — a foundation שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… רָגַז (râgaz, H7264) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear) חָרָה (chârâh, H2734) — to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עָשָׁן (ʻâshân, H6227) — smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger) אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) גֶּחֶל (gechel, H1513) — an ember בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish
Open source ↗נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… עֲרָפֶל (ʻărâphel, H6205) — gloom (as of a lowering sky) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Open source ↗רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb, H3742) — a cherub or imaginary figure עוּף (ʻûwph, H5774) — to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… כָּנָף (kânâph, H3671) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… סֻכָּה (çukkâh, H5521) — a hut or lair סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… חַשְׁרָה (chashrâh, H2841) — properly, a combination or gathering, i.e. of watery clouds מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen עָב (ʻâb, H5645) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a… שַׁחַק (shachaq, H7834) — a powder (as beaten small); by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament
Open source ↗נֹגַהּ (nôgahh, H5051) — brilliancy (literally or figuratively) גֶּחֶל (gechel, H1513) — an ember אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָעַם (râʻam, H7481) — to tumble, i.e. be violently agitated; specifically, to crash (of thunder); figuratively,… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… עֶלְיוֹן (ʻelyôwn, H5945) — an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.
On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:
And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling.
David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”
May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
who frees me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.
And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.
Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.