2 Samuel 22:27

KJV

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.

KJV (with Strong's)

With the pure {H1305} thou wilt shew thyself pure {H1305}; and with the froward {H6141} thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury {H6617}.

Complete Jewish Bible

with the honest, you are honest; but with the crooked you are cunning.

Berean Standard Bible

to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.

American Standard Version

With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; And with the perverse thou wilt show thyself froward.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:27, a profound declaration within King David's psalm of thanksgiving, articulates a fundamental aspect of God's righteous character: His interaction with humanity is perfectly aligned with the moral and spiritual disposition of individuals. This verse reveals God's unwavering integrity, demonstrating that He manifests His purity to those who walk in uprightness, while actively opposing and confronting the twisted ways of the perverse. It underscores a divine principle of reciprocity, where God's response mirrors the heart and conduct of humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a lengthy, poetic psalm of deliverance (2 Samuel 22:1-51), which is almost identical to [Psalm 18](/psalms/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Psalm of Deliverance"). It serves as David's heartfelt song of thanksgiving and praise to Yahweh for His miraculous rescue from all his enemies, including King Saul. The psalm opens with David declaring God as his strength and deliverer, then vividly recounts God's powerful intervention on his behalf, using rich imagery of natural phenomena and divine warfare. Verse 27 falls within a section (verses 21-30) where David reflects on God's just dealings, asserting that God rewards the righteous and opposes the wicked, thereby affirming the covenant faithfulness of God to those who walk in His ways, as seen in [2 Samuel 22:21](/2_samuel/22-21 "2 Samuel 22:21 - God's Reward for Righteousness"). The entire chapter functions as a theological reflection on God's character, His justice, and His active involvement in human history, particularly in the life of His anointed king.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed during David's reign, likely after a period of significant conflict and eventual triumph, this psalm reflects the tumultuous life of Israel's greatest king. David's journey was marked by relentless persecution from King Saul, numerous battles against the Philistines and other surrounding nations, and internal strife. In ancient Israelite thought, there was a strong emphasis on divine justice and the principle of retribution, where God was understood to deal with individuals and nations according to their deeds. Kings, in particular, were seen as God's representatives on earth, and their success or failure was often interpreted as a direct reflection of their obedience or disobedience to God's covenant. David's psalm, therefore, articulates a deeply held cultural understanding of God's active involvement in human affairs, where His character is revealed through His just and proportionate responses to human conduct, reinforcing the covenant relationship established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai").

* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within 2 Samuel and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Reciprocity and Justice**, emphasizing that God's dealings with humanity are perfectly aligned with their moral and spiritual posture. To those who are pure in heart and walk uprightly, God reveals Himself as pure, trustworthy, and a faithful deliverer, as David experienced throughout his life, recounted in [2 Samuel 22:1-3](/2_samuel/22-1 "2 Samuel 22:1-3 - David's Declaration of Trust"). Conversely, with the "froward" or perverse, God demonstrates His righteous opposition and judgment, confronting their crookedness. Secondly, it underscores **God's Inherent Purity and Righteousness**. God's character is unblemished; He does not compromise His holiness but rather reflects it in His interactions, responding to purity with purity and to perversity with a just resistance that exposes and counters the twisted path. This theme is central to understanding God's nature, as seen in [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy"). Lastly, the verse powerfully conveys the **Consequences of Human Conduct**, serving as a potent reminder that our moral and spiritual alignment directly impacts our experience of God's presence and intervention. A life of integrity invites God's favor and clear guidance, while crookedness invites His righteous opposition and judgment, echoing the principle found in [Proverbs 11:3](/proverbs/11-3 "Proverbs 11:3 - The Integrity of the Upright").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pure (Hebrew, _barar'_):** This word (בָּרַר) carries the primary meaning of "to purify, select, make clear, or polish." It denotes a state of shining clarity, blamelessness, and moral integrity. When applied to God, as in "thou wilt shew thyself pure," it signifies His transparent integrity, His unblemished character, and His willingness to reveal His unadulterated truth and righteousness to those who walk in similar purity. It implies a divine response that is straightforward, unmixed, and wholly consistent with His holy nature.

* **Froward (Hebrew, _'iqqesh'_):** This term (עִקֵּשׁ) describes someone who is "twisted, perverse, crooked, or deceitful." It refers to a moral distortion, a character or path that deviates from what is right and upright. The corresponding phrase "thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury" uses the Hebrew verb **pathal** (פָּתַל), which means "to wrestle, twist, or deal craftily/perversely." This does not imply that God *becomes* perverse, but rather that He deals with the perverse in a way that counters their twistedness. It's a divine mirroring that brings their perversity to light, exposes their crooked dealings, or confronts them directly through judgment or opposition that matches their own devious ways. The KJV's "unsavoury" captures the idea of something that is unpalatable or repugnant, reflecting God's righteous aversion to perversity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure":** This clause asserts God's consistent and righteous character in His dealings with those who are morally upright and sincere. To individuals who strive for purity of heart, integrity in their actions, and faithfulness in their walk, God reveals Himself in a way that is clear, trustworthy, and unblemished. His presence, guidance, and blessings are experienced as pure and straightforward, reflecting His own holy nature. He confirms their path, validates their righteousness, and demonstrates His unadulterated favor.

* **"and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury":** This second clause presents a stark contrast, revealing God's response to those who are "froward" – twisted, perverse, or morally crooked. To such individuals, God does not reveal Himself as pure or favorable. Instead, He deals with them in a manner that confronts, opposes, and exposes their perversity. The term "unsavoury" (from the Hebrew _pathal_) implies that God's interaction with them will be one of wrestling, resistance, or even judgment that is unpalatable and difficult, designed to counter their crookedness and bring their twisted ways to light. It underscores God's unwavering opposition to sin and His commitment to justice, even if it means a harsh, corrective, or condemnatory response.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound truth. **Parallelism** is evident in the two contrasting clauses, where the structure "With X thou wilt show thyself Y; and with Z thou wilt show thyself W" creates a clear antithesis, highlighting the distinct ways God interacts based on human character. This is a form of **Antithetical Parallelism**, emphasizing the divine response to opposing human dispositions. **Anthropomorphism** is present in the phrase "thou wilt shew thyself," attributing human-like actions (showing oneself) to God, making His character more relatable and His responses more comprehensible. The concept of God "showing Himself" in a certain way also functions as a form of **Divine Reciprocity**, where God's actions mirror or respond in kind to the moral state of humanity. Furthermore, the use of "pure" and "froward" (twisted) can be seen as **Metaphorical Language**, describing not just actions but the very essence of one's character, implying a deeper spiritual state that elicits a corresponding divine reaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse articulates a foundational theological principle often referred to as the "retribution principle" or divine reciprocity, which permeates much of the Old Testament. It asserts that God, in His perfect justice and holiness, responds to humanity in a manner consistent with their moral and spiritual alignment. For those who walk in integrity and purity, God reveals His unblemished character, offering clear guidance, favor, and deliverance. Conversely, for those who persist in rebellion, deceit, or moral perversion, God's response is one of righteous opposition, judgment, and a confrontation that exposes their crookedness. This is not an arbitrary reaction but a necessary outflow of God's unchanging holy nature, demonstrating that He cannot be mocked and will not compromise His standards. It underscores the profound truth that our disposition towards God directly shapes our experience of Him.

* [Proverbs 2:7-8](/proverbs/2-7 "Proverbs 2:7-8 - God's Protection for the Upright")
* [Psalm 62:12](/psalms/62-12 "Psalm 62:12 - God's Steadfast Love and Deeds")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 22:27 serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination, challenging us to honestly assess the posture of our hearts and the trajectory of our lives. It compels us to consider whether we are striving for purity and integrity in our thoughts, words, and deeds, or if we are succumbing to crookedness, deceit, or stubborn rebellion. The promise is clear: walking in purity invites God's unhindered presence, His clear guidance, and the experience of His unblemished character revealing itself in our lives. If, however, we choose the path of the "froward," we are warned that we will encounter God's righteous opposition, His judgment, and a divine resistance that will expose and confront our twisted ways. This verse is not merely a statement of divine justice but a call to repentance and a profound encouragement to pursue holiness, knowing that our God responds in perfect accordance with our moral and spiritual posture, inviting us to align our hearts with His.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be walking in "purity," and how have I experienced God's clear presence and favor as a result?**
* **Are there any "froward" or twisted areas in my heart or actions that I need to surrender to God, and what might be the consequences of not doing so?**
* **How does understanding God's reciprocal nature (His response to purity vs. perversity) deepen my motivation to pursue holiness?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to cultivate greater purity of heart and integrity in my daily walk?**

### FAQ

**Does God actually become "unsavoury" or "perverse" when dealing with the froward?**

Answer: No, absolutely not. The KJV's "unsavoury" (and the underlying Hebrew _pathal_) does not imply that God *becomes* perverse or morally corrupted in His character. Rather, it signifies that God deals with the perverse in a way that *counters* their twistedness. His response is one of righteous opposition, judgment, and a confrontation that exposes their crookedness. It means He will wrestle with their perversity, bring their hidden motives to light, and ultimately deal with them in a way that is unpalatable or repugnant to their sinful nature. This is a demonstration of His unchanging holiness and justice, not a compromise of His character. God's nature remains pure; His actions towards the froward are a manifestation of His righteous indignation against sin, as seen in [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 22:27 speaks of God's reciprocal dealings with humanity based on their purity or perversity, its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression are found in Jesus Christ. In Him, God's perfect purity is fully revealed, and His righteous opposition to all frowardness is definitively demonstrated. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly embodied purity and integrity, living a sinless life that perfectly pleased the Father, as affirmed in [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest"). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ absorbed the righteous opposition and judgment that the "froward" deserve, taking upon Himself the "unsavoury" consequences of sin. Those who are "in Christ" are no longer seen as froward but are imputed with His righteousness, becoming pure in God's sight through faith, as described in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Thus, God "shows Himself pure" to us not based on our inherent purity, but on the perfect purity of His Son, which is graciously credited to us. The call to walk in purity for believers now flows from our new identity in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as we are called to be holy because [He who called us is holy](/1_peter/1-16 "1 Peter 1:16 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").

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

Matthew 5:8

Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Psalms 18:26

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

Leviticus 26:23

And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;

Leviticus 26:28

Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

Isaiah 45:9

Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [strive] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Psalms 125:5

As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: [but] peace [shall be] upon Israel.

Deuteronomy 28:58

If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;