2 Samuel 22:46

KJV

Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.

KJV (with Strong's)

Strangers {H1121}{H5236} shall fade away {H5034}, and they shall be afraid {H2296} out of their close places {H4526}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Foreigners lose heart as they stagger from their fortresses.

Berean Standard Bible

Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.

American Standard Version

The foreigners shall fade away, And shall come trembling out of their close places.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 22:46, a profound declaration from King David's triumphant song of deliverance, encapsulates his unwavering faith in God's ultimate sovereignty and the inevitable collapse of all who oppose His divine will. This verse vividly portrays the complete subjugation and terror of David's adversaries, emphasizing that no human stronghold or perceived security can withstand the power of the Almighty, who ensures the victory and safety of His chosen servant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving (2 Samuel 22:1-51) that King David sang to the Lord "on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul" [2 Samuel 22:1](/2_samuel/22-1 "2 Samuel 22:1 - David's Song of Deliverance"). This extensive song is almost identical to [Psalm 18](/psalm/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Song of Deliverance"), highlighting its significance and David's deep, enduring reliance on God throughout his tumultuous reign. The preceding verses in 2 Samuel 22 detail God's dramatic intervention on David's behalf, describing divine judgment against his foes, while the subsequent verses continue to praise God for His steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. Verse 46 specifically serves as a powerful summary of the enemies' fate, reinforcing the theme of divine vindication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's reign was marked by constant warfare against numerous foreign nations and internal adversaries. The "strangers" (Hebrew: _zûrîm_) primarily refer to the surrounding hostile peoples such as the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Syrians, who frequently threatened Israel's borders and David's throne. Saul's pursuit of David also represents an internal "enemy." In ancient Near Eastern warfare, fortresses and "close places" (strongholds, walled cities) were crucial for defense and security. The declaration that enemies would "fade away" and be "afraid out of their close places" speaks directly to the futility of human military might and fortified positions when confronted by divine power. It reflects a worldview where national security was ultimately tied to divine favor and intervention, not merely strategic prowess.
* **Key Themes:** 2 Samuel 22:46 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within David's song and the broader narrative of 2 Samuel. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **God's absolute sovereignty and justice** over all nations and individuals, demonstrating His power to diminish and destroy those who oppose His chosen people and His anointed king. Secondly, it highlights **the ultimate insecurity and terror of the wicked**, illustrating that even in their most fortified or seemingly secure positions, fear and divine judgment will compel their downfall, echoing the truth that "the wicked flee when no one pursues" [Proverbs 28:1](/proverbs/28-1 "Proverbs 28:1 - The Wicked Flee"). Finally, the verse reinforces the central theme of **divine protection and deliverance**, affirming that true security and victory for God's servants come solely from the Lord, who actively fights on behalf of His own, as David declares elsewhere that "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" [Psalm 27:1](/psalm/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is My Light and Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strangers (Hebrew, _zûrîm'_):** This term refers to foreigners, aliens, or those who are not part of the covenant community of Israel. In the context of David's song, it specifically denotes the hostile nations and adversaries who continually threatened David's kingdom and the peace of Israel. The use of "strangers" emphasizes their external, non-covenantal status, marking them as inherently outside of God's protective sphere for Israel and thus susceptible to His judgment.
* **Fade away (Hebrew, נָבַל, _nāval'_):** This verb literally means "to wither," "to decay," "to fall," or "to languish." It is often used to describe the wilting of a leaf or flower, signifying a complete loss of vitality, strength, and substance. Applied to David's enemies, it conveys a sense of their inevitable, natural, and complete disintegration, not merely a defeat but a total loss of power and presence, as if their very essence is withering into nothingness.
* **Close places (Hebrew, מִסְגְּרוֹת, _misgĕrôt'_):** This plural noun refers to enclosed places, fortresses, strongholds, or even prisons. It denotes places of perceived security, defense, or refuge. The phrase "out of their close places" suggests that even these seemingly impenetrable bastions will offer no safety; the enemies will be so overcome with fear that they will abandon their most secure positions, revealing the utter futility of human defenses against divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Strangers shall fade away":** This clause declares the certain and complete demise of David's enemies. The "strangers" are the foreign, hostile nations and individuals who have opposed God's anointed king and His people. The verb "fade away" (Hebrew _nāval_) paints a vivid picture of their strength, vitality, and influence withering and decaying, much like a plant that loses its life. This signifies a comprehensive and irreversible decline, emphasizing God's sovereign power to dismantle and nullify all opposition to His purposes. It is a statement of divine judgment and the ultimate futility of resistance against the Almighty.
* **"and they shall be afraid out of their close places":** This second clause describes the psychological and physical consequence of the enemies' fading. Overwhelmed by fear, they will be compelled to abandon their most fortified and secure positions—their "close places" or strongholds. This highlights the depth of their terror, so profound that it overrides their instinct for self-preservation within their perceived safe havens. It underscores that no human-made defense, no matter how formidable, can provide true security when confronted by the terror inspired by God's judgment. Their flight from these places signifies their utter defeat and vulnerability.

#### Literary Devices
2 Samuel 22:46 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The phrase "Strangers shall **fade away**" utilizes a striking **Metaphor**, comparing the decline of David's enemies to the wilting or decaying of a plant. This imagery evokes a sense of natural, inevitable, and complete loss of vitality and substance, emphasizing their utter destruction rather than a mere military defeat. The subsequent phrase, "and they shall be **afraid out of their close places**," employs **Hyperbole** to underscore the intensity of the enemies' terror; their fear is so overwhelming that it drives them from even their most secure and fortified positions, suggesting an absolute and inescapable dread. There is also an implicit **Parallelism** between the physical fading and the psychological terror, showing two facets of their comprehensive downfall. The verse as a whole is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of wilting, fleeing, and exposed enemies, which effectively communicates the divine triumph and the adversaries' abject defeat.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the biblical truth that God is the ultimate sovereign over all nations and powers, and that His purposes for His people will prevail. David's experience serves as a testament to God's active intervention in history, demonstrating that human strength and fortifications are ultimately futile against divine judgment. The "fading away" of the enemies speaks to the transient nature of worldly power and the inevitable collapse of all systems and individuals that stand in opposition to God's righteous reign. For believers, this provides profound assurance that our ultimate security rests not in worldly alliances or personal strength, but in the unfailing power of God, who defends His own. It reminds us that even when facing overwhelming odds, we can trust in God's ability to dismantle our adversaries, whether they be spiritual forces, societal pressures, or personal struggles, ultimately leading to His triumph.

* [Psalm 18:45](/psalm/18-45 "Psalm 18:45 - Strangers shall fade away")
* [Proverbs 28:1](/proverbs/28-1 "Proverbs 28:1 - The Wicked Flee When No One Pursues")
* [Psalm 46:1](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Samuel 22:46 offers profound encouragement and a powerful challenge for contemporary believers. In a world often dominated by fear, insecurity, and seemingly insurmountable opposition, this verse calls us to shift our gaze from the strength of our adversaries to the absolute sovereignty of God. It reminds us that no matter how formidable the "strangers" in our lives may appear—whether they are spiritual forces of darkness, systemic injustices, personal anxieties, or the pressures of a secular culture—their power is ultimately fleeting. We are invited to cultivate a deep trust in God's active involvement in our lives, knowing that He is able to cause all opposition to "fade away" and to instill fear in the hearts of those who resist His will. This confidence should empower us to stand firm, to pray boldly for deliverance, and to find our true refuge not in worldly security or self-reliance, but in the unshakeable presence of the Lord, who is our ultimate deliverer and protector.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strangers" or adversaries in your life currently feel overwhelming, and how might viewing them through the lens of God's sovereignty change your perspective?**
* **In what "close places" or perceived areas of security do you tend to place your trust, rather than fully relying on God?**
* **How does the concept of God causing enemies to "fade away" inform your prayers for justice, peace, or personal deliverance?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your confidence in God's protective power, even when circumstances seem dire?**

### FAQ

**Who are the "strangers" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: In the context of 2 Samuel 22, the "strangers" (Hebrew: _zûrîm_) primarily refer to the foreign, hostile nations and peoples who were persistent adversaries of Israel and King David throughout his reign. This would include groups like the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Syrians, who frequently engaged in warfare with Israel. More broadly, in a theological sense, "strangers" can represent any individual or power that stands in opposition to God's chosen people or His divine purposes, whether they are external threats or internal forces of evil. David's song celebrates God's deliverance from all such enemies, both foreign and domestic, as indicated in [2 Samuel 22:1](/2_samuel/22-1 "2 Samuel 22:1 - David's Song of Deliverance").

**What does it mean for them to "fade away" and be "afraid out of their close places"?**

Answer: "Fade away" (Hebrew: _nāval_) signifies a complete loss of vitality, strength, and substance, much like a plant withering and decaying. It implies a thorough and irreversible decline, not just a temporary setback. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's judgment and the ultimate futility of resistance against Him. "Afraid out of their close places" means that their terror will be so profound that it will compel them to abandon their most fortified positions, their strongholds, and places of perceived security. This vividly illustrates their abject defeat and vulnerability, demonstrating that no human defense can withstand the fear and judgment instilled by God's power. It underscores the biblical truth that "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer" [2 Samuel 22:2](/2_samuel/22-2 "2 Samuel 22:2 - The Lord is My Rock").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 22:46 speaks of David's earthly enemies, its ultimate and most profound fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ. David's victories over the "strangers" foreshadow Christ's decisive triumph over all spiritual adversaries. The "strangers" who "fade away" find their ultimate counterpart in the powers of sin, death, and the devil, whom Christ has utterly disarmed and defeated through His crucifixion and resurrection. Just as David's enemies were terrified and fled their "close places," so too has Christ triumphed over "principalities and powers," making a public spectacle of them and leading captivity captive [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities") and [Ephesians 4:8](/ephesians/4-8 "Ephesians 4:8 - Christ Leading Captivity Captive"). He has rendered powerless "him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" [Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death"). The security that David found in God, which caused his enemies to flee, is now fully realized in Christ, who offers believers an eternal and unshakeable refuge. Through His ultimate victory, Christ ensures that all who oppose His kingdom will ultimately "fade away," and He will reign until He has "put all his enemies under his feet" [1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies are Subdued"). This verse, therefore, points to the Lamb of God who has already secured the definitive victory over all the "strangers" that threaten humanity's eternal peace.

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

Micah 7:17

They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.

Isaiah 2:19

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Isaiah 64:6

¶ But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

James 1:11

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Isaiah 2:21

To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Amos 9:3

And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them: