2 Samuel 22:42

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of King David's song of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 22. This chapter is almost identical to Psalm 18. David recounts God's powerful deliverance from all his enemies, particularly from the hand of Saul. In this specific verse, David describes the desperate plight of his adversaries, emphasizing their complete inability to find rescue or divine assistance, highlighting the futility of their resistance against God's anointed.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Futility of Opposition to God: The verse powerfully illustrates that those who oppose God's purposes or His chosen servants will ultimately find no help, neither from human sources nor from God Himself. Their search for salvation is vain.
  • Divine Justice and Sovereignty: It speaks to God's ultimate control over the destinies of men. When His judgment is set, the wicked will find no recourse or escape. The Lord's silence to their cries signifies their condemnation.
  • Contrast with the Righteous: This verse stands in stark contrast to David's own experience throughout the psalm, where God consistently heard and delivered him from distress (2 Samuel 22:7). It underscores the difference between the Lord's response to the righteous and the unrighteous.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "save" (yasha' or moshia', related to "savior") implies a comprehensive act of deliverance or rescue. The phrase "answered them not" uses the Hebrew verb 'anah, which means to respond, often in the context of prayer or supplication. The Lord's deliberate lack of response signifies His refusal to intervene on their behalf, sealing their fate.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a profound reminder of God's unwavering justice and sovereignty. It teaches us several important lessons:

  • Seek God While He May Be Found: It underscores the urgency of seeking the Lord genuinely and repentantly, as there comes a point when He may no longer answer those who have consistently rejected Him or His ways (Proverbs 1:28).
  • Reliance on God Alone: It highlights the complete futility of human strength or alliances apart from God. Ultimately, true help and deliverance come only from the Lord (Psalm 33:16).
  • Comfort for the Righteous: For those who trust in God, this verse offers comfort, knowing that their enemies, who oppose God's will, will ultimately fail and find no escape from divine judgment.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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