2 Samuel 22:35

KJV

He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

KJV (with Strong's)

He teacheth {H3925} my hands {H3027} to war {H4421}; so that a bow {H7198} of steel {H5154} is broken {H5181} by mine arms {H2220}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He trains my hands for war until my arms can bend a bow of bronze;

Berean Standard Bible

He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

American Standard Version

He teacheth my hands to war, So that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:35, a profound declaration from King David's song of deliverance, articulates his unwavering conviction that his military prowess and triumphant victories were not products of his own strength or strategic genius. Instead, this verse powerfully attributes all success in battle, including the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, directly to the divine instruction and supernatural enablement of the Lord. It stands as a testament to God's active involvement in the lives of His servants, equipping them for every challenge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, recorded in its entirety in [2 Samuel 22](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance") and paralleled in [Psalm 18](/psalms/18 "Psalm 18 - A Psalm of David"). David sang 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 Deliverance")). It serves as a retrospective reflection, a grand poetic recounting of God's faithfulness and mighty acts throughout David's tumultuous life as a warrior, fugitive, and king. The immediate preceding verses praise God as David's "rock," "fortress," and "deliverer" ([2 Samuel 22:2](/2_samuel/22-2 "2 Samuel 22:2 - God as David's Rock and Fortress")), setting the stage for the specific ways God empowered him in battle. The imagery throughout the psalm vividly portrays God as David's personal trainer, protector, and the ultimate source of his insurmountable strength and skill in combat.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David lived in a time of constant warfare, where military might and skill were essential for national survival and leadership. As king of Israel, David was not merely a figurehead but a formidable warrior who personally led his armies. Ancient bows were primary weapons, and while most were made of wood, references to "bows of bronze" (often translated "steel" in older versions) indicate exceptionally strong, rare, and difficult-to-master weaponry. Such bows would have been wielded by elite warriors, and the idea of breaking one by sheer human strength was an act of extraordinary, almost mythical, power. This cultural understanding amplifies the hyperbole of the verse, emphasizing that the strength David possessed was far beyond normal human capacity, directly imparted by God for the specific purpose of securing victory for Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within David's song and the broader narrative of 2 Samuel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Empowerment and Skill**, asserting that God is the ultimate instructor and source of David's combat effectiveness. It underscores that David's victories were not merely due to brute strength but also divinely imparted skill, strategy, and precision in battle, emphasizing his humble acknowledgment of God as the true architect of his military success and survival. Secondly, the phrase "so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms" conveys **Supernatural Strength and Overcoming Impossibility**. This vivid imagery signifies the ability to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles and formidable foes through God's power, not human might. It speaks to God enabling David to conquer what others could not, symbolizing his overwhelming victories against powerful enemies. Finally, the entire psalm, and this verse in particular, underscores David's absolute **Trust and Reliance on God** for his preservation and victories. His success was a direct result of his deep faith and dependence on the Lord as his ultimate protector and provider of strength.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **teacheth (Hebrew, _lamad'_):** This verb means "to learn," "to teach," or "to train." In the Hiphil stem, as used here, it specifically means "to cause to learn," "to instruct," or "to train." It implies a deliberate, intentional process of imparting skill and knowledge, not just bestowing raw power. God is actively involved as David's personal instructor, honing his abilities for warfare.
* **war (Hebrew, _milchamah'_):** This noun refers to "battle," "conflict," or "warfare." It encompasses the entire sphere of military engagement, including strategy, combat, and confrontation. The phrase "teacheth my hands to war" signifies that God equipped David not just for isolated acts of strength, but for the comprehensive realities of military leadership and combat.
* **bow of steel (Hebrew, _qeshet nechushah'_):** The KJV translates _nechushah_ as "steel," but the more accurate rendering is "bronze" or "copper." While not literally modern steel, a bow made of bronze would have been exceptionally rigid, heavy, and difficult to bend or break compared to a typical wooden bow. This imagery, therefore, remains potent, signifying an object of immense strength and durability, making its breakage a feat of supernatural power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He teacheth my hands to war;":** This initial clause establishes God as the active agent and primary instructor of David's military capabilities. It implies that David's skill in combat—his ability to wield weapons, strategize, and execute battle plans—was not innate or self-acquired but divinely imparted. God is depicted as a master trainer, meticulously preparing David for the rigors and complexities of warfare, ensuring precision, effectiveness, and victory.
* **"so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.":** This second clause describes the miraculous consequence and tangible evidence of God's teaching and empowerment. The "bow of steel" (bronze) represents an object of extreme durability and resistance, symbolizing formidable obstacles or powerful enemies. The act of breaking such a bow by David's "arms" (a synecdoche for his strength and effort) signifies an extraordinary, humanly impossible feat. It is hyperbole used to convey the overwhelming, supernatural strength God infused into David, enabling him to overcome the most formidable challenges and conquer seemingly invincible foes.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Metaphor** is evident in the portrayal of God as a divine trainer or instructor, actively "teaching" David's hands for battle, transforming him into a formidable warrior. This extends beyond mere physical strength to encompass skill and strategy. **Hyperbole** is prominently used in the image of "a bow of steel is broken by mine arms." While "steel" is more accurately "bronze," the concept of breaking such a robust weapon by human strength is an exaggeration designed to emphasize the extraordinary, supernatural power God bestowed upon David, making him capable of overcoming what was humanly impossible. Furthermore, the verse utilizes vivid **Imagery**, painting a clear mental picture of a warrior endowed with immense, divinely-sourced strength, capable of shattering the most resilient instruments of war. This imagery serves to underscore God's omnipotence and His ability to empower His chosen servants beyond their natural limits.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical truth that true strength and ultimate victory belong to the Lord, not to human might or ingenuity. David's experience serves as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in equipping His people for the challenges they face, whether physical battles or spiritual struggles. It underscores a theology of divine enablement, where God not only calls His servants but also empowers them with the necessary skills, wisdom, and strength to fulfill their calling. This perspective cultivates humility and absolute reliance on God, shifting the focus from human capability to divine sovereignty. It teaches that even in the face of overwhelming odds, God can grant supernatural ability to overcome, transforming weakness into strength for His purposes.

* [Psalm 18:34](/psalms/18-34 "Psalm 18:34 - God trains David's hands for war")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me")
* [Ephesians 6:10](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10 - Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Samuel 22:35 serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that God continues to equip and empower His people for the battles of life, both spiritual and practical. We are not called to fight in our own limited strength, but to rely entirely on His divine enablement. Just as God taught David's hands to war and gave him the strength to break a bow of bronze, He provides us with the wisdom, resilience, and supernatural strength needed to face our contemporary challenges. Whether it's overcoming personal struggles, navigating difficult circumstances in work or relationships, or engaging in spiritual warfare against unseen forces, we can pray for God to train our hands and strengthen our arms. Our "bows of steel"—the seemingly unbreakable obstacles, overwhelming pressures, or deeply entrenched sins we face—can be overcome when we walk in humble reliance upon His mighty power, knowing that through Him, we are more than conquerors. This verse encourages us to surrender our perceived weaknesses to God, trusting that His power is made perfect in our weakness, enabling us to accomplish what seems impossible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel the need for God to "teach your hands to war" or equip you with specific skills and strength?**
* **What are the "bows of steel" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles you are currently facing, and how might this verse encourage you to approach them with divine reliance?**
* **How does acknowledging God as the source of your strength and ability cultivate humility and deeper trust in your daily walk?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more consciously rely on God's empowerment rather than your own efforts in your challenges?**

### FAQ
**Was the bow literally made of "steel" as we understand it today?**

Answer: No, the KJV translation "steel" for the Hebrew word _nechushah_ (נְחֻשָׁה) is an anachronism. _Nechushah_ more accurately refers to "bronze" or "copper." While not steel, a bow made of bronze would still have been exceptionally strong, rigid, and much more difficult to bend or break than a typical wooden bow. The imagery remains potent, signifying an object of immense durability, making its breakage a feat of extraordinary, supernatural strength imparted by God. The point is the incredible, divinely-enabled power, not the precise metallurgical composition.

**How does this verse apply to believers who are not literal warriors or soldiers?**

Answer: While David was a literal warrior, the principles of this verse are profoundly applicable to all believers. The "war" we engage in is often spiritual, as described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our struggle is not against flesh and blood"). God equips us for battles against sin, temptation, spiritual darkness, and the challenges of life. "Teaching our hands to war" can mean imparting wisdom for difficult decisions, resilience in suffering, courage to speak truth, or strength to endure trials. The "bow of steel" represents any seemingly impossible obstacle—a chronic illness, a broken relationship, financial hardship, or a deeply ingrained habit—that God empowers us to overcome through His strength, not our own.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 22:35 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, the warrior-king, serves as a type of Christ, the true King and ultimate Victor. While David's battles were physical, Jesus' warfare was spiritual, culminating in His triumph over the cosmic enemies of sin, death, and the devil. It was God who "taught the hands" of His Son, Jesus, equipping Him perfectly for His mission of redemption. The "bow of steel" that was broken by Jesus' "arms" was not a physical weapon, but the unbreakable chains of sin and death that held humanity captive. Through His life of perfect obedience, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus shattered the power of these spiritual strongholds, achieving a victory far greater than any earthly conquest ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ disarmed the powers")). He is the one through whom we, too, are empowered for spiritual battle, for He has given us His Spirit, enabling us to "do all things through Christ who strengthens" us ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All things through Christ")). Just as God equipped David for his earthly victories, He has perfectly equipped Christ for His eternal triumph, and through Christ, He equips every believer to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil ([1 John 5:4](/1_john/5-4 "1 John 5:4 - Victory over the world through faith")).

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.