2 Samuel 22:21

KJV

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} rewarded {H1580} me according to my righteousness {H6666}: according to the cleanness {H1252} of my hands {H3027} hath he recompensed {H7725} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI rewarded me for my uprightness, he repaid me because my hands were clean.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.

American Standard Version

Jehovah rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 22:21, King David, in a profound song of deliverance, declares that the LORD has acted justly and faithfully towards him, rewarding him in accordance with his integrity and blameless conduct. This verse encapsulates David's conviction that God's intervention and protection were a direct response to his uprightness, particularly in the context of his persecution by enemies and King Saul, affirming a divine principle of recompense for those who walk in covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and deliverance, recorded in its entirety in 2 Samuel 22, which is almost identical to [Psalm 18](/psalms/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Song of Deliverance"). The song serves as a climactic expression of David's gratitude to the LORD for delivering him "from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul" ([2 Samuel 22:1](/2_samuel/22-1 "2 Samuel 22:1 - David's Deliverance")). Coming at the end of David's reign, it functions as a retrospective theological summary of his life's struggles and God's consistent faithfulness. The preceding verses vividly describe God's powerful intervention on David's behalf, using cosmic and natural imagery to depict divine wrath against David's foes and the LORD's active rescue of His anointed one. Following this declaration of God's justice, David continues to elaborate on the LORD's perfect ways and the blessings bestowed upon those who trust in Him, reinforcing the themes of divine justice and covenant loyalty.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was marked by relentless persecution, first by King Saul, who repeatedly sought to kill him out of jealousy, and later by various foreign nations and internal rebellions. Throughout these trials, David consistently refused to lay a hand on Saul, God's anointed, even when presented with clear opportunities ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul") and [1 Samuel 26:9](/1_samuel/26-9 "1 Samuel 26:9 - David Spares Saul Again")). This adherence to God's law and respect for divine authority, even in the face of grave injustice, forms the backdrop for his assertion of "righteousness" and "cleanness of hands." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's success was often attributed to divine favor, and integrity was a highly valued characteristic, especially in leaders. David's claim here is not one of sinless perfection, but of blamelessness concerning the specific accusations and persecutions he faced, particularly his refusal to usurp the throne or act treacherously. His conduct was in stark contrast to the deceit and violence often employed by his adversaries.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Samuel and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God is a righteous judge who observes human conduct and responds accordingly, vindicating the innocent and punishing the wicked. Secondly, it underscores **David's Integrity and Covenant Faithfulness**. While David was not without sin, his "righteousness" here refers to his consistent walk of obedience to God's commands, his trust in God's timing, and his refusal to resort to ungodly means to achieve his ends, particularly regarding his relationship with Saul. This aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on the importance of walking in integrity before the LORD, as seen in [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - God Judges the Peoples"). Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant**. David's deliverance is presented as God's fulfillment of His promises to protect and establish His chosen king, demonstrating that God actively intervenes in the lives of those who honor Him, upholding His covenant obligations to the upright.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rewarded (Hebrew, _gamal'_):** This verb (גָּמַל) carries the sense of "to deal out," "to recompense," or "to ripen." It implies a complete and appropriate action, a full return for something done. In this context, it signifies God's complete and just response to David's actions, bringing about a deserved outcome. It's not merely a passive observation but an active, decisive act of divine recompense.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tzedeq'_):** The noun (צֶדֶק) denotes conformity to a standard, uprightness, and justice. It refers to a state of moral and ethical rectitude, particularly in relation to God's revealed will. Here, David's "righteousness" is not a claim of sinless perfection but rather his adherence to God's ways and his blameless conduct in the specific circumstances of his persecution, especially his integrity towards Saul and his refusal to take matters into his own hands.
* **Recompensed (Hebrew, _shalam'_):** This verb (שָׁלָם) means "to be complete," "to be sound," "to make peace," or "to repay/restore." It emphasizes the idea of making whole or bringing to completion. God's "recompense" to David signifies not just a reward but a restoration to a state of peace, security, and wholeness, as a direct consequence of his upright walk.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness:"** David attributes his deliverance and success directly to the LORD's action. The verb "rewarded" (gamal) indicates a full and complete return. The basis for this divine action is David's "righteousness" (tzedeq), which in this context refers to his integrity, his adherence to God's laws, and his blameless conduct in the face of his enemies, particularly his refusal to harm Saul or usurp the throne through ungodly means. This highlights God as a just and discerning judge.
* **"according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me."** This second clause functions as a synonymous parallelism, reiterating and intensifying the first. "Cleanness of my hands" is a powerful idiom signifying innocence, blamelessness in action, and integrity, especially concerning the shedding of innocent blood or engagement in deceitful practices. David's hands were metaphorically "clean" because he did not act treacherously against God's anointed or shed innocent blood in his pursuit of the kingship. The verb "recompensed" (shalam) reinforces the idea of God's just and complete repayment, restoring David to a place of security and peace as a direct consequence of his integrity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second line ("according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first line ("The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness"). This repetition serves to emphasize David's central assertion: God's deliverance was a direct and just response to his blameless conduct. The phrase "**cleanness of my hands**" is a potent **Idiom**, a common biblical expression signifying moral purity and blamelessness in action, particularly in legal or covenant contexts. This idiom vividly conveys David's claim of innocence regarding the malicious accusations and persecutions he endured. Additionally, the verse implicitly uses **Anthropomorphism** by portraying God as one who "rewards" and "recompenses," actions typically associated with human judges or benefactors, thereby making God's justice and active involvement in human affairs more relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical principle of divine justice and the covenantal relationship between God and His people. It asserts that God is not indifferent to human conduct but actively observes and responds to the integrity of His servants. While salvation in the New Covenant is by grace through faith, the Old Testament often presents a framework where God blesses and vindicates those who walk in His ways and uphold His covenant. David's experience serves as a powerful testimony to this truth, demonstrating that faithfulness, even amidst severe trials, is seen and honored by the Almighty. It encourages believers to live with integrity, trusting that God is a righteous judge who will ultimately bring about justice and recompense.

* [Psalm 18:20](/psalms/18-20 "Psalm 18:20 - Parallel Account of David's Song")
* [Psalm 24:4](/psalms/24-4 "Psalm 24:4 - Who May Ascend God's Holy Hill?")
* [Proverbs 11:18](/proverbs/11-18 "Proverbs 11:18 - The Reward of Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's bold declaration in 2 Samuel 22:21 offers profound encouragement and a challenge for contemporary believers. In a world that often rewards deceit and compromises integrity, David's testimony reminds us that God sees our actions and values our commitment to righteousness, even when it seems unrewarded in the short term. This is not a call to earn our salvation, which is a gift of grace, but an affirmation that living a life of integrity, marked by "clean hands" and a "righteous" heart, is pleasing to God and often results in His vindication and blessing in our lives. When we face false accusations, unjust treatment, or the temptation to compromise our values, we can find solace and strength in knowing that the LORD is our ultimate judge and defender, who will recompense according to truth and righteousness. Our perseverance in doing what is right, trusting in God's perfect timing and justice, becomes a powerful witness to His character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel challenged to maintain "clean hands" and "righteousness" in the face of adversity or temptation?**
* **How does David's trust in God's recompense encourage you when you feel unjustly treated or overlooked?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to live with greater integrity, knowing that God sees and values your faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Does David's claim of "righteousness" imply he was sinless, or that our salvation depends on our own righteousness?**

Answer: David's claim in 2 Samuel 22:21 does not imply sinless perfection, nor does it suggest that human righteousness is the basis for ultimate salvation. David, like all humans, was a sinner (as evidenced by later events like his sin with Bathsheba in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba")). Rather, his "righteousness" and "cleanness of hands" here refer to his integrity and blamelessness in the specific context of his persecution by Saul and other enemies. He consistently refused to act treacherously or take matters into his own hands to secure the throne, demonstrating faithfulness to God's established order and trust in God's timing. This is a righteousness of conduct and heart relative to his circumstances and adversaries, not a claim to absolute moral perfection. For believers today, our ultimate righteousness and salvation come solely through faith in Jesus Christ ([Romans 3:22](/romans/3-22 "Romans 3:22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). However, David's experience still teaches that God values and responds to our walk of integrity and obedience, even if it does not earn our salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 22:21 speaks of David's own righteousness and the reward he received, it ultimately finds its perfect and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, though a man after God's own heart, was still a fallen human whose "righteousness" was imperfect and contextual. Jesus, however, is the only one whose hands were truly clean, whose life was perfectly righteous, and who never sinned ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). He perfectly embodied the integrity that David aspired to. The "reward" and "recompense" that David received for his imperfect righteousness foreshadow the ultimate vindication and exaltation of Christ, who, after His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, was raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of God ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Furthermore, for believers, our "reward" and "recompense" are not based on our own "clean hands" but are imputed to us through Christ's perfect righteousness. We are declared righteous in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")), and it is His work, not ours, that secures our ultimate deliverance and eternal life. Thus, David's song points beyond himself to the one true Son of David, whose perfect life and atoning death fully satisfy the demands of divine justice and whose reward is shared with all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 26:23

The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into [my] hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed.

Psalms 24:4

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

1 Kings 8:32

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Psalms 7:8

The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity [that is] in me.

James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Psalms 19:11

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward.

Job 17:9

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.