2 Samuel 22:30

KJV

For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

KJV (with Strong's)

For by thee I have run {H7323} through a troop {H1416}: by my God {H430} have I leaped over {H1801} a wall {H7791}.

Complete Jewish Bible

With you I can run through a whole troop of men, with my God I can leap a wall.

Berean Standard Bible

For in You I can charge an army; with my God I can scale a wall.

American Standard Version

For by thee I run upon a troop; By my God do I leap over a wall.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:30 is a powerful declaration from King David's song of deliverance, a profound hymn of thanksgiving and praise to God for His unwavering faithfulness and strength throughout David's tumultuous life. This verse, mirrored in Psalm 18:29, encapsulates David's absolute reliance on the Lord as the singular source of his extraordinary victories and ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It serves as a personal testimony to divine empowerment, illustrating how God enables His servants to accomplish feats far beyond their natural human capabilities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Samuel 22 is a psalm of thanksgiving, almost identically replicated in [Psalm 18](/psalms/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Song of Deliverance"). It is introduced as "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" ([2 Samuel 22:1](/2_samuel/22-1 "2 Samuel 22:1 - David's Song of Deliverance")). This places the song at a retrospective high point in David's life, reflecting on a lifetime of God's intervention, protection, and empowerment. The preceding verses establish God as David's [Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer](/2_samuel/22-2 "2 Samuel 22:2 - God as David's Rock and Fortress"), emphasizing that all his salvation and strength come from the Lord. The song transitions from a description of God's majestic power and intervention in David's distress ([2 Samuel 22:7-19](/2_samuel/22-7 "2 Samuel 22:7-19 - God's Deliverance of David")) to David's righteous walk and God's just recompense ([2 Samuel 22:20-27](/2_samuel/22-20 "2 Samuel 22:20-27 - God's Justice and David's Righteousness")), culminating in declarations of God's empowering might in battle, as seen in this verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was marked by constant warfare and peril. From his early days as a shepherd facing lions and bears, to his anointing as king and subsequent persecution by King Saul, and finally to his reign fraught with battles against the Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, and internal rebellions, David's existence was one of perpetual conflict. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, "troops" represented formidable military units and "walls" were essential defensive structures, signifying impenetrable barriers or fortified cities. To "run through a troop" implied a decisive, aggressive breakthrough of enemy lines, an act of overwhelming military prowess. To "leap over a wall" meant conquering seemingly impregnable fortifications or overcoming insurmountable obstacles that would typically halt an army. This verse, therefore, speaks to specific, tangible military and strategic challenges David faced, where human strength alone would have been insufficient.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Empowerment**, emphasizing that David's extraordinary feats were not due to his own might or military prowess, but entirely by divine intervention and strength. The repeated phrases "by thee" and "by my God" highlight God as the active agent, equipping and enabling His servant beyond natural human ability, a concept echoed in [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All Things Through Christ"). This leads to the theme of **Overcoming Impossibility**, as "running through a troop" and "leaping over a wall" are vivid metaphors for triumphing over both active opposition and passive, seemingly insurmountable hindrances. These images convey God's ability to grant victory over both direct conflict and entrenched barriers. Underlying these is the theme of **Unwavering Trust**, as David's song is saturated with his deep faith. His ability to face and conquer such challenges stemmed from his absolute reliance on God, demonstrating that faith is the conduit through which divine power flows, as seen in the lives of other biblical heroes who trusted God for victory, such as Gideon in [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **run (Hebrew, _rûwts'_):** From H7323, this primitive root signifies rapid, forceful movement, often in a military context. In David's declaration, it conveys an aggressive, divinely-enabled charge that breaks through enemy formations, demonstrating unstoppable momentum and a decisive penetration of hostile lines.
* **troop (Hebrew, _gᵉdûwd'_):** From H1416, this noun refers to a crowd, especially of soldiers, an army, or a band of men. In the context of 2 Samuel 22:30, "troop" represents a formidable, organized military unit or a dangerous band of raiders, symbolizing direct, active opposition that would typically overwhelm a lone individual or even a small force.
* **leap (Hebrew, _dâlag'_):** From H1801, this primitive root means "to spring" or "to leap." It conveys agility, quickness, and the ability to surmount an obstacle by jumping. When applied to a "wall," it represents the supernatural capacity to overcome a formidable defensive barrier, suggesting that what would normally be an impassable impediment is effortlessly surmounted through divine power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For by thee I have run through a troop":** This clause attributes David's military success and aggressive breakthrough directly to God's enabling power. The phrase "by thee" (בְךָ, _bekha_) emphasizes divine agency as the singular source of his ability. To "run through a troop" (אָרוּץ גְּדוּד, _aruts gedud_) describes an act of decisive victory in battle, where David, empowered by God, penetrates and overcomes a formidable and dangerous enemy formation. This signifies a complete triumph over direct opposition, made possible only by God's intervention.
* **"by my God have I leaped over a wall":** This second clause reinforces the source of David's strength and extends the scope of God's empowerment to overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. "By my God" (וּבֵאלֹהַי, _uvelohay_) reiterates the divine origin of his ability, personalizing the relationship and underscoring his deep reliance on the supreme God (H430, _ʼĕlôhîym_). To "leap over a wall" (אֲדַלֶּג־שׁוּר, _adalleg-shur_) is a vivid **metaphor** for surmounting any barrier, difficulty, or seemingly impossible situation. Walls (H7791, _shûwr_) were the primary defenses of cities and strongholds, symbolizing impregnable security for the enemy or an impassable barrier for an attacker. David's ability to "leap over" them signifies supernatural agility and the conquering of fortified positions that would normally halt an army, demonstrating God's power to overcome passive, yet formidable, hindrances.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 22:30 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message of divine empowerment. Foremost is **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause ("by my God have I leaped over a wall") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first ("For by thee I have run through a troop"). Both clauses express the same core idea: David's extraordinary feats are accomplished through God's power. The slight variation in imagery (running through a troop vs. leaping over a wall) provides a richer, more comprehensive picture of the types of obstacles God enables one to overcome – both active opposition and passive barriers. The phrases "run through a troop" and "leaped over a wall" also function as **Metaphors** or **Hyperbole**, representing any formidable challenge or seemingly impossible situation that David faced. While rooted in military experience, they transcend literal battle to symbolize spiritual, emotional, or practical difficulties. The vivid imagery creates a sense of dynamic action and unstoppable force, emphasizing the magnitude of God's empowering presence in David's life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine empowerment and human reliance. It asserts that true strength and victory do not originate from human might, skill, or strategy, but from God alone. David's declaration is not one of self-congratulation but of humble acknowledgment that every triumph, every breakthrough, and every surmounted obstacle was a direct result of God's active presence and enabling power. This principle transcends the battlefield, teaching that in all areas of life—spiritual warfare, personal struggles, professional challenges, or societal barriers—it is "by God" that we are able to overcome. It underscores the biblical truth that God delights in using ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary feats, precisely so that the glory redounds to Him alone. This verse invites believers to cultivate a deep, unwavering trust in God's omnipotence, understanding that His power is made perfect in our weakness, enabling us to face any "troop" or "wall" with courage and confidence.

* [Psalm 18:29](/psalms/18-29 "Psalm 18:29 - Parallel Verse in David's Psalm")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All Things Through Christ")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might, Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Samuel 22:30 serves as an enduring source of profound encouragement and a powerful call to faith. We all encounter "troops"—conflicts, opposition, spiritual battles, or direct adversaries—and "walls"—personal limitations, seemingly insurmountable challenges, entrenched habits, or systemic barriers. This verse profoundly reminds us that our capacity for victory in life's myriad struggles does not stem from our own inherent strength, intelligence, or resources, but entirely from the empowering presence of God. It challenges us to shift our perspective from self-reliance to divine dependence, recognizing that what appears impossible to our human eyes is entirely within the realm of God's boundless power. When we face overwhelming odds or seemingly impenetrable obstacles, David's testimony invites us to lean into God's omnipotence, trusting that He will either clear the path, dismantle the barrier, or supernaturally empower us to "run through" or "leap over" whatever stands in our way. This is a call to courageous faith, to step forward in the conviction that with God, no challenge is too great, and no victory is beyond reach.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "troops" or "walls" are you currently facing in your life that feel insurmountable?**
* **How does David's declaration, "by thee I have run... by my God have I leaped," challenge your natural tendency to rely on your own strength or resources?**
* **In what specific ways can you intentionally cultivate a deeper reliance on God's empowerment in your daily life?**
* **How might remembering this verse empower you to approach a seemingly impossible situation with greater faith and courage?**

### FAQ
**Does "run through a troop" and "leaped over a wall" refer to literal military victories or are they purely metaphorical?**

Answer: While rooted in David's literal experiences of military conflict and overcoming fortified positions, these phrases function as powerful **metaphors** for any formidable challenge or seemingly impossible obstacle. David was a warrior king who indeed fought many battles and besieged cities. Therefore, the imagery draws directly from his lived reality. However, the spiritual and theological depth of the song extends these specific military acts to represent any form of opposition or barrier—spiritual, emotional, relational, or practical—that one might face. The core message is that God enables His servants to overcome *any* difficulty, whether it's a direct confrontation ("running through a troop") or an entrenched, seemingly impassable barrier ("leaping over a wall"). This makes the verse universally applicable to the struggles of believers in all ages, reminding us that with God, all things are possible, as Jesus taught in [Matthew 19:26](/matthew/19-26 "Matthew 19:26 - With God All Things Are Possible").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 22:30 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true and greater David. While David experienced divine empowerment for earthly victories, Christ's life and work represent the definitive triumph over the ultimate "troops" and "walls" of sin, death, and the devil. Through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Jesus "ran through" the spiritual forces of darkness, utterly defeating them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), and "leaped over" the insurmountable "wall" of death, emerging victorious from the grave ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). His victory is not merely for Himself but is imputed to and shared with all who believe. As believers, we are united with Christ, and therefore, His triumph becomes ours. The power that raised Christ from the dead now indwells us ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - The Power of God for Believers")), enabling us to "do all things through Christ who strengthens" us ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All Things Through Christ")). Thus, David's ancient song becomes a prophetic echo of the believer's experience in Christ: by our God, we too can overcome the "troops" of temptation and adversity, and "leap over" the "walls" of despair and impossibility, living in the reality of Christ's finished work and indwelling power.

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

Psalms 18:29

¶ For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Psalms 118:10

All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

Psalms 118:12

They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Romans 8:37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.