2 Samuel 22:42

KJV

They looked, but [there was] none to save; [even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

KJV (with Strong's)

They looked {H8159}, but there was none to save {H3467}; even unto the LORD {H3068}, but he answered {H6030} them not.

Complete Jewish Bible

"They looked, but there was no one to help, even to ADONAI, but he didn't answer.

Berean Standard Bible

They looked, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but He did not answer.

American Standard Version

They looked, but there was none to save; Even unto Jehovah, but he answered them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:42, part of David's magnificent psalm of deliverance, starkly depicts the utter helplessness of his enemies. Despite their desperate search for aid, they found no human rescuer, and even their cries to the Lord, whom they had opposed, went unanswered. This verse powerfully underscores the futility of resisting God's anointed and highlights the divine sovereignty that ensures the ultimate failure of those who stand against His purposes, sealing their fate through His deliberate silence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within King David's grand "Song of Deliverance" found in [2 Samuel 22](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance"), which is almost identical to [Psalm 18](/psalm/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Psalm of Deliverance"). The psalm serves as a profound expression of thanksgiving and praise to Yahweh for His consistent and powerful rescue of David from all his adversaries, particularly from the hand of Saul and other hostile nations. The preceding verses ([2 Samuel 22:38-41](/2_samuel/22-38 "2 Samuel 22:38-41 - David's Victory Over Enemies")) describe David's triumph, empowered by God, over his enemies, whom he "pursued and overtook" and "consumed and destroyed." Verse 42 then presents the inverse perspective: the enemies' desperate and futile search for salvation, emphasizing their complete inability to escape God's judgment, a stark contrast to David's experience of divine intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was marked by relentless persecution, first by King Saul, then by various foreign enemies like the Philistines, and later by internal rebellions, notably Absalom's revolt. This psalm likely reflects a culmination of these experiences, celebrating God's faithfulness throughout his tumultuous reign. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the defeat of an enemy was often attributed to the superior power of one's deity. David's song, therefore, not only celebrates his military victories but also magnifies Yahweh as the true warrior and deliverer. The concept of seeking "salvation" or "deliverance" from a deity was common, but here, the enemies' cries to the Lord are met with silence, signifying divine rejection and judgment, a significant cultural and theological statement on the consequences of opposing God's chosen king.

* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "The Book of 2 Samuel - David's Reign"): **Divine Sovereignty and Justice** are paramount, illustrating that God ultimately controls the destinies of nations and individuals. Those who oppose His anointed will find no refuge or escape from His judgment, as seen in the broader narrative of David's rise and the fall of his enemies. It also highlights the **Futility of Human Opposition to God's Will**, demonstrating that no human strength or alliance can stand against the Lord's determined purposes. This stands in stark contrast to the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant People**, exemplified by His consistent deliverance of David, who cried out to Him and was heard ([2 Samuel 22:7](/2_samuel/22-7 "2 Samuel 22:7 - David's Cry and God's Response")). The Lord's silence to the enemies' pleas underscores the profound difference between His response to the righteous and the unrighteous, a principle echoed throughout [the Psalms](/psalm/1 "The Book of Psalms - Songs of Praise and Lament").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Save (Hebrew, _yasha'_):** This verb (ישע) is fundamental to biblical theology, meaning "to deliver," "to rescue," "to help," or "to bring salvation." It implies comprehensive deliverance from danger, distress, or oppression. In this context, it describes the desperate search by David's enemies for any form of rescue, whether human or divine. The declaration that "there was none to save" emphasizes their absolute and inescapable predicament, highlighting the futility of their efforts against God's determined judgment.
* **Answered (Hebrew, _'anah'_):** The verb (ענה) typically means "to respond," "to reply," or "to answer," often in the context of prayer, supplication, or a cry for help. When applied to God, it signifies His active intervention or acknowledgment of a plea. The phrase "he answered them not" is a powerful statement of divine refusal and condemnation. It's not merely that God was silent, but that He deliberately withheld His response, sealing the enemies' fate and signifying His rejection of their pleas for mercy or deliverance, underscoring their utter abandonment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They looked, but [there was] none to save;":** This clause vividly portrays the desperate plight of David's enemies. "They looked" suggests an active, frantic search for assistance, implying a recognition of their dire situation and an urgent need for rescue. The immediate follow-up, "but [there was] none to save," emphasizes the complete lack of human or earthly recourse. Their allies, their own strength, or any conventional means of escape proved utterly useless. This sets the stage for the next clause, highlighting the ultimate source of help, or in this case, the lack thereof.
* **"[even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.":** This second clause escalates the desperation to a theological level. Having exhausted all human avenues, their final, futile recourse was to appeal to the very God whose anointed king (David) they had opposed. The phrase "unto the LORD" indicates a desperate, perhaps even hypocritical, cry for divine intervention. However, the emphatic "but he answered them not" signifies God's deliberate and decisive refusal to intervene on their behalf. His silence is not indifference but an active judgment, confirming their condemnation and sealing their doom. It underscores His unwavering commitment to His covenant with David and His just retribution against those who defy His will.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 22:42 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message of divine judgment and the futility of opposition. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses "They looked, but [there was] none to save" and "[even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not" convey the same core idea of desperate, unavailing search for help, reinforcing the completeness of the enemies' abandonment. This structural repetition emphasizes their inescapable doom. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present; the enemies, who have opposed God's chosen king and thus God Himself, are depicted as finally turning to the Lord for salvation, only to be met with His decisive silence. This highlights their ultimate folly and the just recompense for their rebellion. Furthermore, the concept of God "answering" or "not answering" employs a subtle **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like communication (or lack thereof) to God, making His judgment more relatable and impactful. The verse's concise and direct language also contributes to its powerful, declarative tone, leaving no ambiguity about the enemies' fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the theological principle of divine retribution and the ultimate futility of human rebellion against God's sovereign will. It teaches that there comes a point when God's patience is exhausted, and His judgment is set, leading to a state where even desperate pleas for mercy are met with silence. This is not arbitrary cruelty but a just consequence for persistent rejection of His authority and opposition to His purposes, especially as manifested through His chosen instruments. The Lord's refusal to answer signifies His active condemnation, sealing the fate of those who have hardened their hearts against Him and His anointed.

* [Proverbs 1:28](/proverbs/1-28 "Proverbs 1:28 - Wisdom's Rejection")
* [Isaiah 1:15](/isaiah/1-15 "Isaiah 1:15 - God's Rejection of Unrighteous Prayers")
* [Jeremiah 11:11](/jeremiah/11-11 "Jeremiah 11:11 - God's Unanswered Cries")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 22:42 serves as a profound and sobering reminder of God's unwavering justice and the critical importance of seeking Him genuinely and repentantly while He may be found. It underscores the perilous state of those who consistently reject His ways, oppose His will, or stand against His people. The divine silence depicted here is not an absence of God, but a powerful, active judgment – a terrifying consequence for those whose hearts are hardened beyond repentance. For believers, this verse offers both a warning and a comfort: a warning against presuming upon God's grace or taking His patience for granted, and a comfort in knowing that the Lord is indeed sovereign and will ultimately vindicate His righteous cause and His faithful servants. It calls us to examine our own lives, ensuring that our posture before God is one of humility, obedience, and sincere reliance, rather than defiant opposition that will ultimately lead to an unanswerable cry.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does God's "silence" to the enemies' cries teach us about the nature of divine judgment?**
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's mercy and justice in relation to those who reject Him?**
* **In what ways might we, in our own lives, be "looking for salvation" in places where it cannot be found, rather than truly seeking the Lord?**
* **How does David's experience of God answering his prayers (as seen throughout the psalm) contrast with the enemies' experience, and what can we learn from this contrast?**

### FAQ
**Does God ever truly refuse to answer prayers, or is this just a poetic description of the enemies' despair?**

Answer: While the language is poetic, the theological message is profound and literal: God can and does refuse to answer the prayers of those who are in active rebellion against Him, especially when those prayers are not accompanied by genuine repentance or are made from a position of unrighteousness. This is not a sign of God's indifference, but rather an act of divine justice. Throughout Scripture, there are instances where God "shuts His ears" to the cries of the wicked or those who have persistently rejected His warnings ([Proverbs 1:28](/proverbs/1-28 "Proverbs 1:28 - Wisdom's Rejection"), [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God")). His silence here in [2 Samuel 22:42](/2_samuel/22-42 "2 Samuel 22:42 - Enemies Unanswered") signifies a final, decisive judgment against those who have opposed His anointed king and, by extension, His divine will. It underscores that there are consequences for persistent sin and rebellion, and that God is not obligated to rescue those who have defiantly set themselves against Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 22:42, with its depiction of enemies crying out to the Lord but receiving no answer, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between those who reject Christ and those who embrace Him. Jesus, the true and greater David, is the ultimate "anointed one" (Messiah) whom humanity has either accepted or opposed. For those who reject the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), there will come a day of ultimate judgment where their cries for salvation will go unanswered. Jesus Himself warned of a time when many would say, "[Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name...?](/matthew/7-22 "Matthew 7:22 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")" only to hear Him declare, "[I never knew you; depart from me](/matthew/7-23 "Matthew 7:23 - Depart From Me, You Workers of Lawlessness")". This echoes the divine silence of 2 Samuel 22:42, signifying a final, irreversible condemnation for those who have spurned His offer of grace. Conversely, for those who truly believe in Him, He promises, "[Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock")", demonstrating that His ears are always open to the repentant heart. Thus, the verse foreshadows Christ's role as both the merciful Savior for those who call upon His name in faith and the righteous Judge who will justly silence the pleas of those who have persistently rejected His redemptive reign.

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

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

1 Samuel 28:6

And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

Micah 3:4

Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

Proverbs 1:28

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Job 27:9

Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

Luke 13:25

When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Luke 13:26

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.