2 Samuel 22 Study Notes
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22:1 On the day is not a reference to a single day, but the general time at which David realized the Lord had given him the kingship and helped him subdue all his enemies. The song is very similar to Ps 18, but has more emphasis on David’s personal worship.
22:2 Rock denotes an immovable, jutting cliff, not a mere stone. This word commonly occurs in the Bible to describe God’s support and defense of his people (1Sm 2:2; Ps 18:2; 95:1; Is 44:8).
22:3 Mary also used the expression horn of my salvation to describe God’s work on her behalf (Lk 1:69). The Bible often uses the image of an animal horn to symbolize strength (1Sm 2:1). Violence (Hb chamas) denotes unjust violence (Gn 6:11; Ob 10).
22:4 In Nm 10:9 God promised Israel that he would respond to short blasts on the silver trumpets and save them from their enemies. See also Dt 20:4; Ps 34:4-7; 55:16.
22:5 Waves designates huge breakers coming in to shore. Torrents refers to canyons filled with rushing water during the rainy season.
22:6 The word Sheol often occurs in connection with death (Nm 16:33; Ps 16:10). David feared for his life as he fled from Saul.
22:7 Temple signifies the place of God’s dwelling—either his heavenly temple (1Kg 8:27) or the tent where the ark of God rested (1Ch 16:1).
22:8-16 David described God’s terrible fury. The imagery is intended to convey the awesomeness of his presence as he entered his world to intervene on behalf of his servant David.
22:17 The verb translated pulled is used only here, in Ps 18:16, and in Ex 2:10 where Pharaoh’s daughter named her foundling Moses for “I drew him out of the water.”
22:18 David’s enemies were too strong for him, but not too strong for the Lord.
22:19 The Lord was David’s support, so David could lean on him in times of trouble.
22:20 From a spacious place David could see enemy threats while they were still far away.
22:21 The Lord saw David’s righteousness and blessed him for it. David’s relationship with God made him want to please the Lord in the way he lived.
22:22 Kept can also be translated as “guarded.”
22:23 Disregarded is literally “turned aside.”
22:24 Blameless does not mean sinless, but it reflects a deep moral character (Gn 6:9; Ps 119:1).
22:25 To be accepted as accurate, his words “must assume that David’s actions against Uriah and Bathsheba were uncharacteristic . . . and thoroughly repented of” (Robert Bergen). Bergen observes a chiastic structure in vv. 21-25 (note the repetition in vv. 21,25).
22:26 Qualities such as faithful and blameless are characteristic of both God and his children, who become more like him as they grow in their relationship with him (Rm 8:29).
22:27 God does not behave the same toward all people.
22:28 Humble is literally “bring low.”
22:29 Both the Lord and his Word function as a lamp for his people (Ps 119:105).
22:30 David was quick to credit the Lord as the source of his power (5:12,21; 1Sm 17:45-47).
22:31-33 God’s way, his word, and his protection are perfect (Robert Bergen). David answered his two rhetorical questions in v. 32; only Yahweh was God. The Lord is our rock.
22:34 The deer David described are sure-footed. They are a powerful picture of the firm footing on which believers stand.
22:36 In Dt 33:29 the Lord is “the shield that protects you.” In 2Sm 22:3 he is “My shield, the horn of my salvation.”
22:37 Compare Pr 4:12: “When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble.”
22:38-43 David celebrates his overwhelming defeat of all his enemies.
22:43 The words pulverize . . . crush, and trample describe the overwhelming victories David won with God’s help (Rm 8:37).
22:44 David’s sovereignty extended to the nations around him (5:17-25; 8:1-14; 10:1-19).
22:45-46 Reports of David’s strength caused his enemies to lose heart before they ever battled him.
22:47-51 A final praise is given “in which the themes and imagery of earlier sections are given a brief encore” (R. P. Gordon).
22:47 On rock, see note at v. 2.
22:51 Loyalty can also be translated as “faithfulness” or “covenant love.” It denotes all that comes to God’s children from him. Anointed (Hb mashiach) designated God’s anointed king (1:14,16; 1Sm 24:6). David and his descendants would enjoy the blessings of God forever (7:16).