2 Samuel 22:39

And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.

And I have consumed {H3615} them, and wounded {H4272} them, that they could not arise {H6965}: yea, they are fallen {H5307} under my feet {H7272}.

I destroyed them, crushed them; they can't get up; they have fallen under my feet.

I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

And I have consumed them, and smitten them through, so that they cannot arise: Yea, they are fallen under my feet.

Commentary

2 Samuel 22:39 is part of King David's powerful song of deliverance, a psalm of thanksgiving to God for rescuing him from all his enemies, including King Saul. This verse, nearly identical to Psalm 18:38, expresses the completeness of the victory God granted David.

Context

This verse is found within 2 Samuel chapter 22, which records David's hymn of praise and gratitude to the Lord after being delivered from Saul and all his adversaries. It reflects on a lifetime of warfare and divine protection. The language is highly militaristic, reflecting the realities of ancient kingship and the constant threats David faced. David is not boasting in his own strength, but in God's power working through him to achieve decisive victories over his adversaries.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment for Victory: David clearly attributes his overwhelming success against his foes to God's active intervention and strength, not merely his own military prowess. It underscores the theme that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47).
  • Total and Irreversible Defeat: The phrases "consumed them," "wounded them," and "could not arise" convey an absolute and final defeat. The enemies are not merely repelled but utterly incapacitated and unable to recover or resist further.
  • Complete Subjugation: "They are fallen under my feet" is a potent ancient Near Eastern idiom signifying absolute conquest and dominion. It illustrates the victor's complete control over the vanquished, often literally depicted by a conqueror placing a foot on the neck of a defeated enemy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used here emphasize the finality of the victory:

  • "Consumed" comes from the root kalah (ื›ึผึธืœึธื”), meaning to bring to an end, to finish, or utterly destroy. It speaks to the complete eradication of the threat.
  • "Wounded" is from machats (ืžึธื—ึทืฅ), indicating a crushing blow or a severe, debilitating wound that renders one helpless.
  • The phrase "fallen under my feet" is a powerful visual metaphor for absolute subjugation, signifying that the enemies are utterly powerless and controlled. This imagery reappears in various biblical contexts, even in the ultimate victory of Christ over His enemies (1 Corinthians 15:25).

Practical Application

For believers today, this verse offers profound encouragement:

  • Trust in God's Power: Just as God fought for David, He fights for His people against spiritual adversaries. We can trust in His divine strength to overcome challenges that seem insurmountable in our lives.
  • Victory Over Spiritual Foes: While we may not face physical armies, we contend with spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). This verse reminds us that through Christ, we are given authority and power to see these foes defeated.
  • Attribution of Success: All true victories, whether personal, spiritual, or communal, ultimately come from God. This verse calls us to humility and gratitude, acknowledging Him as the source of our strength and deliverance from every enemy.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Malachi 4:3

    And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do [this], saith the LORD of hosts.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 110:1

    ยถ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • Psalms 18:37

    I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

  • Psalms 110:5

    ยถ The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

  • Psalms 110:6

    He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill [the places] with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
โ† Back