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Commentary on 2 Samuel 22 verses 2–51
Let us observe, in this song of praise,
I. How David adores God, and gives him the glory of his infinite perfections. There is none like him, nor any to be compared with him (Sa2 22:32): Who is God, save the Lord? All others that are adored as deities are counterfeits and pretenders. None is to be relied on but he. Who is a rock, save our God? They are dead, but the Lord liveth, Sa2 22:47. They disappoint their worshippers when they most need them. But as for God his way is perfect, Sa2 22:31. Men begin in kindness, but end not - promise, but perform not; but God will finish his work, and his word is tried, and what we may trust.
II. How he triumphs in the interest he has in this God, and his relation to him, which he lays down as the foundation of all the benefits he has received from him: He is my God; as such he cries to him (Sa2 22:7), and cleaves to him (Sa2 22:22); "and, if my God, then my rock" (Sa2 22:2), that is, "my strength and my power (Sa2 22:33), the rock under which I take shelter (he who is to me as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land), the rock on which I build my hope," Sa2 22:3. Whatever is my strength and support, it is the God of my rock that makes it so; nay, he is the God of the rock of my salvation (Sa2 22:47): my saving strength is in him and from him. David often hid himself in a rock (Sa1 24:2), but God was his chief hiding-place. "He is my fortress, in which I am safe and think myself so - my high tower, or stronghold, in which I am out of the reach of real evils - the tower of salvation (Sa2 22:51), which can never be sealed nor battered, nor undermined. Salvation itself saves me. Am I in distress? he is my deliverer - struck at, shot at? he is my shield - pursued? he is my refuge - oppressed? he is my saviour, that rescues me out of the hand of those that seek my ruin. Nay, he is the horn of my salvation, by which I am strongly protected, and my enemies are strongly pushed." Christ is spoken of as the horn of salvation in the house of David, Luk 1:69. "Am I burdened, and ready to sink? The Lord is my stay (Sa2 22:19), by whom I am supported. Am I in the dark, benighted, at a loss? Thou art my lamp, O Lord! to show me my way, and thou wilt dispel my darkness," Sa2 22:29. If we sincerely take the Lord for our God, all this, and much more, he will be to us, all we need and can desire.
III. What improvement he makes of his interest in God. If he be mine, 1. In him will I trust (Sa2 22:3), that is, "I will resign myself to his direction, and then depend upon his power, and wisdom, and goodness, to conduct me well." 2. On him I will call (Sa2 22:4), for he is worthy to be praised. What we have found in God that is worthy to be praised should engage us to pray to him and give glory to him. 3. To him will I give thanks (Sa2 22:50), and that publicly. When he was among the heathen he would neither be afraid nor ashamed to own his obligations to the God of Israel.
IV. The full and large account he keeps for himself, and gives to others, of the great and kind things God had done for him. This takes up most of the song. He gives God the glory both of his deliverances and of his successes, showing both the perils he was delivered from and the power he was advanced to.
1.He magnifies the great salvations God had wrought for him. God sometimes brings his people into very great difficulties and dangers, that he may have the honour of saving them and they the comfort of being saved by him. He owns, Thou hast saved me from violence (Sa2 22:3), from my enemies (Sa2 22:4), from my strong enemy, meaning Saul, who, if God had not succoured him, would have been too hard for him, Sa2 22:18. Thou hast given me the shield of thy salvation, Sa2 22:36. To magnify the salvation, he observes,
(1.)That the danger was very great and threatening out of which he was delivered. Men rose up against him (Sa2 22:40, Sa2 22:49) that hated him (Sa2 22:41), a violent man (Sa2 22:49) namely, Saul, who was malicious in his designs against him and vigorous in his pursuit. This is expressed figuratively, Sa2 22:5, Sa2 22:6. He was surrounded with death on every side, threatened to be overwhelmed, and saw no way of escape. So violently did the waves of death beat upon him, so strongly did the cords and snares of death hold him, that he could not help himself, any more than a man in the grave can. The floods of Belial, the wicked one, and his wicked instruments, made him afraid; he trembled to see not only earth, but death and hell, in arms against him.
(2.)That his deliverance was an answer to prayer, Sa2 22:7. He has here left us a good example, when we are in distress, to cry unto God with importunity, as children in a fright cry to their parents; and great encouragement to do so, in that he found God ready to answer prayer out of his temple in heaven, where he is continually served and adored.
(3.)That God appeared in a singular and extraordinary manner for him and against his enemies. The expressions are borrowed from the descent of the divine Majesty upon Mount Sinai, Sa2 22:8, Sa2 22:9, etc. We do not find that in any of David's battles God fought for him with thunder (as in Samuel's time), or with hail (as in Joshua's time), or with the stars in their courses (as in Deborah's time); but these lofty metaphors are used, [1.] To set forth the glory of God, which was manifested in his deliverance. God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness, his justice and holiness, and his sovereign dominion over all the creatures and all the counsels of men, which appeared in favour of David, were as clear and bright a discovery of God's glory to an eye of faith as such miraculous interpositions would have been to an eye of sense. [2.] To set forth God's displeasure against his enemies, God so espoused his cause that he showed himself an enemy to all his enemies; his anger is set forth by a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth (Sa2 22:9), coals kindled (Sa2 22:13), arrows, Sa2 22:15. Who knows the power and terror of his wrath? [3.] To set forth the extraordinary confusion which his enemies were put into, and the consternation that seized them; as if the earth had trembled and the foundations of the world had been discovered, Sa2 22:8, Sa2 22:16. Who can stand before God when he is angry? [4.] To show how ready God was to help him: He rode upon a cherub and did fly, Sa2 22:11. God hastened to his succour, and came to him with seasonable relief, though he had seemed at a distance; yet he was a God hiding himself (Isa 14:15), for he made darkness his pavilion (Sa2 22:12), for the amazement of his enemies and the protection of his own people.
(4.)That God manifested his particular favour and kindness to him in these deliverances (Sa2 22:20): He delivered me, because he delighted in me. The deliverance came not from common providence, but covenant-love; he was herein treated as a favourite: so he perceived by the communications of divine grace and comfort to his soul with these deliverances, and the communion he had with God in them. Herein he was a type of Christ, whom God upheld because he delighted in him, Isa 42:1, Isa 42:2.
2.He magnifies the great successes God had crowned him with. He had not only preserved but prospered him. He was blessed, (1.) With liberty and enlargement. He was brought into a large place (Sa2 22:20), where he had room to thrive, and his steps were enlarged under him, so that he had room to stir (Sa2 22:37), being no longer straitened and confined. (2.) With military skill, and strength, and swiftness. Though he was bred up to the crook, he was well instructed in the arts of war and qualified for the toils and perils of it. God, having called him to fight his battles, qualified him for the service. He made him very ingenious (He teacheth my hands to war, Sa2 22:35. And this ingenuity was as good as strength, for it follows, "so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms," not so much by main force as by dexterity), and very vigorous and valiant. (Thou hast girded me with strength to battle, Sa2 22:40. He gives God the glory of all his courage and ability for service), and very expeditious: He maketh my feet swift like hinds feet (Sa2 22:34), which is of great advantage both in charging and retreating. (3.) With victory over his enemies, not only Saul and Absalom, but the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Syrians, and other neighbouring nations, whom he subdued and made tributaries to Israel. His wonderful victories are here described, Sa2 22:38-43. They were speedy victories (I turned not again till I had consumed them, Sa2 22:38) and complete victories. The enemies of Israel were wounded, destroyed, consumed, fell under his feet, trampled upon, and disabled to rise, and their necks lay at his mercy. They cried both to earth and heaven for help, but in vain. There was none to save, none that durst appear for them. God answered them, not for they were not on his side, nor did they cry unto him till they were brought to the last extremity. Being thus abandoned, they became an easy prey to David's righteous and victorious sword, so that he beat them as small as the dust of the earth, which is scattered by the wind and trodden on by every foot. (4.) With advancement to honour and power. To this he was anointed before his troubles began, and at length, post tot discrimina rerum - after all his dangers and disasters, he gained his point. God made his way perfect (Sa2 22:33), gave him success in all his undertakings, set him upon his high places (Sa2 22:34), denoting both safety and dignity. God's gentleness, his grace and tender mercy, made him great (Sa2 22:36), gave him great wealth, and great authority, and a name like that of the great men of the earth. He was kept to be the head of the heathen (Sa2 22:44); his signal preservations evinced that he was designed and reserved for something great - to rule over all Israel, notwithstanding the strivings of the people, and so that those whom he had not known should serve him, many of the nations that lay remote. Thus he was lifted up on high, as high as the throne, above those that rose up against him, Sa2 22:49.
V. The comfortable reflections he makes upon his own integrity, which God, by those wonderful deliverances, had graciously owned and witnessed to, Sa2 22:21-25. He means especially his integrity with reference to Saul and Ishbosheth, Absalom and Sheba, and those who either opposed his coming to the crown or endeavoured to dethrone him. They falsely accused him and misrepresented him, but he had the testimony of this conscience for him that he was not an ambitious aspiring man, a false and bloody man, as they called him, - that he had never taken any indirect unlawful courses to secure or raise himself, but in his whole conduct had kept in the way of his duty, - and that in the whole course of his conversation he had, for the main, made religion his business, so that he could take God's favours to him as the rewards of his righteousness, not of debt, but of grace. God had recompensed him, though not for his righteousness, as if that had merited any thing at the hand of God, yet according to his righteousness, which he was well pleased with, and had an eye to. His conscience witnessed for him, 1. That he had made the word of God his rule, and had kept to it, Sa2 22:23. Wherever he was, God's judgments were before him as his guide; whithersoever he went, he took his religion along with him, and though he was forced to depart from his country, and sent, as it were, to serve other gods, yet as for God's statutes, he did not depart from them, but kept the way of the Lord and walked in it. 2. That he had carefully avoided the bye-paths of sin. He had not wickedly departed from his God. He could not say but that he had taken some false steps, but he had not deserted God, nor forsaken his way. Sins of infirmity he could not acquit himself from, but the grace of God had kept him from presumptuous sins. Though he had sometimes weakly departed from his God. By this it appeared that he was upright before God, or to God (in his sight, and with an eye to him), that he kept himself from his own iniquity, not only from that particular sin of killing Saul when it was in the power of his hand to do it, but, in general, he was afraid of sin and watchful against it, and made conscience of what he said and did. The matter of Uriah is an exception (Kg1 15:5), like that in Hezekiah's character, Ch2 32:31. Note, A careful abstaining from our own iniquity is one of the best evidences of our own integrity; and the testimony of our conscience for us that we have done so will be such a rejoicing as will not only lessen the griefs of an afflicted state, but increase the comforts of a prosperous state. David reflected with more comfort upon his victories over his own iniquity than upon his conquest of Goliath and all the hosts of the uncircumcised Philistines; and the witness of his own heart to his uprightness was sweeter though more silent music than theirs that sang, David has slain his ten thousands. If a great man be a good man, his goodness will be much more his satisfaction than his greatness. Let favour be shown to the upright and his uprightness will sweeten it, will double it.
VI. The comfortable prospects he has of God's further favour. As he looks back, so he looks forward, with pleasure, and assures himself of the kindness God has in store for all the saints, for himself, and also for his seed.
1.For all good people, Sa2 22:26-28. As God had dealt with him according to his uprightness, so he will with all others. He takes occasion here to lay down the established rules of God's procedure with the children of men: -
(1.)That he will do good to those that are upright in their hearts. As we are found towards God, he will be found towards us. [1.] God's mercy and grace will be the joy of those that are merciful and gracious. Even the merciful need mercy; and they shall obtain it. [2.] God's uprightness, his justice and faithfulness, will be the joy of those that are upright, just, and faithful, both towards God and man. [3.] God's purity and holiness will be the joy of those that are pure and holy, who therefore give thanks at the remembrance thereof. And, if any of these good people be afflicted people, he will save them, either out of their afflictions or by and after them. On the other hand,
(2.)That those who turn aside to crooked ways he will lead forth with the workers of iniquity, as he says in another psalm. With the froward he will wrestle; and those with whom God wrestles are sure to be foiled. Woe unto him that strives with his Maker! God will walk contrary to those that walk contrary to him and be displeased with those that are displeased with him. As for the haughty, his eyes are upon them, marking them out, as it were, to be brought down; for he resists the proud.
2.For himself. He foresaw that his conquests and kingdom would be yet further enlarged, Sa2 22:45, Sa2 22:46. Even the sons of the stranger, that would hear the report of his victories and the tokens of God's presence with him, would be possessed with a fear of him, would be forced to submit to him, though feignedly, and would be obedient to him. The successes which he had had he looked upon as earnests of more and means of more. Who durst oppose him by whom so many had been overcome? Thus the Son of David goes on conquering and to conquer, Rev 6:2. His gospel, which has been victorious, shall be so more and more.
3.For his seed: He showeth mercy to his Messiah (Sa2 22:51), not only to David himself, but to that seed of his for evermore. David was himself anointed of God, not a usurper, but duly called to the government and qualified for it; therefore he doubted not but God would show mercy to him, that mercy which he had promised not to take from him nor from his posterity (Sa2 7:15, Sa2 7:16); on that promise he depends, with an eye to Christ, who alone is his seed for evermore, whose throne and kingdom still continue, and will to the end, whereas the seed and lineage of David are long since extinct. See Psa 89:28, Psa 89:29. Thus all his joys and all his hopes terminate, as ours should, in the great Redeemer.
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SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:17 stands as a powerful declaration of divine rescue, extracted from David's comprehensive psalm of thanksgiving to the Lord for delivering him from all his adversaries, especially Saul. This verse vividly recounts God's sovereign and direct intervention, portraying Him as a transcendent yet intimately involved rescuer who reaches down from His heavenly dwelling to pluck David from overwhelming perils, metaphorically described as "many waters." It profoundly underscores God's supreme authority, His active faithfulness, and His unwavering power to save His people from seemingly insurmountable dangers, affirming His personal engagement in the lives of those who cry out to Him.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is an integral and climactic part of a lengthy psalm of thanksgiving found in 2 Samuel 22, which is almost identically preserved in Psalm 18. Positioned early in David's song, it follows a dramatic and vivid description of God's awe-inspiring descent and intervention, where the very cosmos responds to His presence—the earth quakes, smoke rises, and lightning flashes as God comes to David's aid, depicted in 2 Samuel 22:8-16. The preceding verses set the stage by detailing David's desperate cry for help and the overwhelming nature of his distress, using powerful imagery such as "the waves of death" and "the floods of ungodliness" that encompassed him (2 Samuel 22:5). Verse 17 thus serves as the direct, tangible outcome of God's majestic intervention, detailing the specific act of rescue that extracts David from the depths of his troubles.
Historical & Cultural Context: King David's life was indeed marked by relentless conflict, betrayal, and numerous attempts on his life, particularly during his prolonged flight from King Saul. This psalm reflects the culmination of a tumultuous period, celebrating God's consistent deliverance through various battles, conspiracies, and profound personal hardships. The imagery of "waters" as a symbol for overwhelming danger was pervasive in the ancient Near East, where chaotic seas and destructive floods frequently represented forces of destruction, primordial chaos, or the overwhelming power of enemies. For an individual like David, facing powerful armies, political intrigues threatening his very existence, or the deep despair that could engulf a person in such circumstances, the "many waters" would powerfully convey these multifaceted threats. The concept of a deity "sending from above" or "reaching down" was a potent affirmation of divine transcendence, omnipotence, and immanence, assuring the worshipper that help originated from a source far greater and more capable than any earthly power.
Key Themes: 2 Samuel 22 and its parallel in Psalm 18 are exceptionally rich with themes of divine sovereignty, miraculous deliverance, and unwavering faithfulness. This particular verse profoundly highlights Divine Rescue and Intervention, emphasizing God's sovereign initiative and direct, personal action in saving David. The phrase "He sent from above, he took me" powerfully underscores that help originates from a transcendent, omnipotent source, entirely beyond human capability or expectation. It also vividly illustrates Overcoming Overwhelming Adversity, as the imagery of "many waters" frequently symbolizes profound troubles, existential dangers, and even death itself, as seen in other psalms like Psalm 69:1-2. David's deliverance signifies God's unparalleled ability to rescue His people from seemingly impossible situations. Furthermore, the verse reinforces the theme of God as a Mighty Deliverer, portraying Him as intimately attentive to the cries of His servant and supremely capable of snatching him from the very brink of destruction, a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and power to save, echoing the Lord's character revealed throughout Israel's foundational history, from the Exodus deliverance to the miraculous provision during the wilderness wanderings.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
2 Samuel 22:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message of divine deliverance. The most prominent is Metaphor, specifically the use of "many waters" to symbolize overwhelming troubles, dangers, and enemies. This imagery transforms abstract perils into a tangible, engulfing force, making God's rescue all the more dramatic and impactful. Anthropomorphism is also powerfully evident, as God is described with human-like actions: "He sent," "he took," "he drew." These actions attribute human agency and physical engagement to God, making His intervention relatable and emphasizing His active, personal involvement in David's life. Furthermore, there is an underlying Parallelism in the phrases "he took me" and "he drew me out," which are complementary actions that reinforce and amplify the singular act of rescue. This synonymous parallelism emphasizes the completeness and efficacy of God's deliverance, creating a vivid, dynamic portrayal of God as a mighty, compassionate, and personally engaged rescuer.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound declaration in 2 Samuel 22:17 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God as the ultimate Deliverer, consistently intervening on behalf of His people. It underscores the theological truth that God is not a distant, disengaged deity but one who actively engages with the cries and struggles of His servants, reaching into their deepest despair to provide salvation. This verse speaks powerfully to God's omnipotence and His compassionate nature, demonstrating that no trial is too great, no "waters" too deep, for His saving power. It affirms His covenant faithfulness, reminding us that His character is to rescue and redeem those who call upon Him, echoing the foundational stories of Israel's deliverance from bondage in Egypt and His sustained provision throughout their history. This divine pattern of rescue establishes a bedrock of trust for all who face overwhelming circumstances.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 22:17 offers timeless encouragement and a profound spiritual anchor for believers facing their own "many waters" in life. It powerfully reminds us that no matter how overwhelming or inescapable our circumstances may feel—whether they are personal crises, relational conflicts, financial distress, physical ailments, or spiritual battles—God possesses the transcendent power and immanent compassion to intervene. Just as He "sent from above" and "drew out" David from the brink of destruction, He is equally capable and willing to extend His saving hand to us. This verse invites us to cultivate a radical trust in God's sovereignty, to find unwavering hope in His historical pattern of deliverance, and to boldly cry out to Him in our distress, confident that He hears and acts. It calls us to remember that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, who is able to lift us from the deepest pits, set our feet on solid ground, and provide a way through even the most engulfing floods of life. We are encouraged to recall His past faithfulness and to rest in His unfailing power to deliver.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "many waters" in this verse?
Answer: The phrase "many waters" (Hebrew: mayim rabbim) is a powerful and common biblical metaphor. While it can sometimes refer to literal floods or large bodies of water, in contexts like 2 Samuel 22:17, it primarily symbolizes overwhelming dangers, profound distress, chaos, or powerful enemies that threaten to engulf and destroy. It represents situations that are beyond human control or ability to escape, from which only divine intervention can provide rescue. This imagery conveys the depth and intensity of David's peril and, by extension, the severity of the trials believers may face, highlighting the miraculous nature of God's deliverance.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
Answer: This verse beautifully illustrates several key aspects of God's character. Firstly, it highlights His sovereignty and transcendence: He is "from above," indicating His supreme authority, His celestial dwelling, and His ability to act decisively in the earthly realm. Secondly, it showcases His immanence and compassion: He "sent," "took," and "drew me out," demonstrating His active, personal, and caring involvement in the lives of His people. He is not a distant, uncaring deity but one who hears the cries of the distressed and intervenes powerfully. Lastly, it affirms His faithfulness and power as a Deliverer, proving that He is capable of saving from the most dire and seemingly inescapable circumstances, a testament to His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 22:17, with its vivid portrayal of divine rescue from overwhelming "waters," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God "sent from above" to deliver David from his earthly perils, so too did God send His Son from heaven, the eternal Word made flesh, to enter into humanity's deepest "waters" of sin, death, and judgment. Jesus is the ultimate Deliverer who, through His life of perfect obedience, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, "took" us and "drew us out" of the spiritual abyss that no human effort or power could ever overcome. He descended into the very depths of human suffering and separation from God, conquering the "waves of death" and the "floods of ungodliness" that threatened to engulf all humanity (Hebrews 2:14-15). Through His sacrifice, He draws us out of the condemnation of the law and the dominion of sin, granting us new life, reconciliation with God, and eternal salvation (Romans 6:4; Colossians 1:13-14). Thus, David's cry for deliverance and God's powerful response foreshadow the ultimate rescue accomplished by the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world and draws His people into His glorious and everlasting kingdom.