Brit-Am Commentary
"2-Samuel"
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Kingdom
of David
A Brit-Am
On-Line First Publication
2-Samuel 22
[2-Samuel 22:1] AND DAVID SPAKE UNTO THE LORD THE WORDS OF 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:
This song is similar to Psalm 18 though
there are differences. Abarbanel
counts 74 of them!
[2-Samuel 22:2] AND HE SAID, THE LORD IS MY ROCK, AND MY FORTRESS, AND MY
DELIVERER;
[2-Samuel 22:3] THE GOD OF MY ROCK; IN HIM WILL I TRUST: HE IS MY SHIELD, AND
THE HORN OF MY SALVATION, MY HIGH TOWER, AND MY REFUGE, MY SAVIOUR; THOU SAVEST
ME FROM VIOLENCE.
MY ROCK: in Hebrew "Tsuri".
This became another term for God. "Tsur"
meaning "Rock" was also the name of an important Phoenicians city called "Tyre"
by the Greeks.
"Tyre"
in place of "Tsur"
evidently is consistent with a northern Phoenician dialect.
Tyr
was also the name of a Scandinavian god. "Tyr"
was later equated with Odin.
Herodotos recalls that the
Scythians referred to their ancestor as "Tyrgitaus"
which could be taken to mean "Tyr
of the Geats",
"Geats"
being another form of "Goth".
[2-Samuel 22:4] I WILL CALL ON THE LORD, WHO IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED: SO SHALL
I BE SAVED FROM MINE ENEMIES.
God is worth praising. We want to praise
HIM. Not only is it good for us to praise God and what we really want to do but
we will be rewarded for it and protected from our enemies.
[2-Samuel 22:5] WHEN THE WAVES OF DEATH COMPASSED ME, THE FLOODS OF UNGODLY MEN
MADE ME AFRAID;
[2-Samuel 22:6] THE SORROWS OF HELL COMPASSED ME ABOUT; THE SNARES OF DEATH
PREVENTED ME;
Death, hell, and ungodliness are all
interconnected. It happens that ungodly companions try and seduce us into
sinning. They are not friends of yours. When you become weakened and vulnerable
through listening to the ungodly and sinning it will be they who seduced you who
will take advantage of you. They will not help you when you need it even though
it is because you listened to them that you got into a position where you need
help. These are extreme statements. They may not always be applicable but they
will be applicable more often than not. Taken over the long range they may be
considered applicable all the time.
SORROWS OF HELL: Hebrew "chevlei
shaul".
"Chevlei"
means labors and is used for the
birthpangs of a woman. Sin takes
away your manhood and puts you through tribulations rather than pleasure.
"Hell" is "shaul"
which literally means "place of the dead". In the north it could be pronounced
similarly to the English word "soul" and maybe there is a connected between the
two words?
[2-Samuel 22:7] IN MY DISTRESS I CALLED UPON THE LORD, AND CRIED TO MY GOD: AND
HE DID HEAR MY VOICE OUT OF HIS TEMPLE, AND MY CRY DID ENTER INTO HIS EARS.
HIS TEMPLE: Hebrew, "Haicaloy",
which could be rendered "His Palace" and refer equally well to the Tabernacle
which preceded the Temple.
[2-Samuel 22:8] THEN THE EARTH SHOOK AND TREMBLED; THE FOUNDATIONS OF HEAVEN
MOVED AND SHOOK, BECAUSE HE WAS WROTH.
[2-Samuel 22:9] THERE WENT UP A SMOKE OUT OF HIS NOSTRILS, AND FIRE OUT OF HIS
MOUTH DEVOURED: COALS WERE KINDLED BY IT.
[2-Samuel 22:10] HE BOWED THE HEAVENS ALSO, AND CAME DOWN; AND DARKNESS WAS
UNDER HIS FEET.
This will happen again. The enemies of
Israel and Judah will know that God has not abandoned them.
[2-Samuel 22:11] AND HE RODE UPON A CHERUB, AND DID FLY: AND HE WAS SEEN UPON
THE WINGS OF THE WIND.
[2-Samuel 22:1 AND HE MADE DARKNESS PAVILIONS ROUND ABOUT HIM, DARK WATERS, AND
THICK CLOUDS OF THE SKIES.
[2-Samuel 22:13] THROUGH THE BRIGHTNESS BEFORE HIM WERE COALS OF FIRE KINDLED.
[2-Samuel 22:14] THE LORD THUNDERED FROM HEAVEN, AND THE MOST HIGH UTTERED HIS
VOICE.
[2-Samuel 22:15] AND HE SENT OUT ARROWS, AND SCATTERED THEM; LIGHTNING, AND
DISCOMFITED THEM.
[2-Samuel 22:16] AND THE CHANNELS OF THE SEA APPEARED, THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE
WORLD WERE DISCOVERED, AT THE REBUKING OF THE LORD, AT THE BLAST OF THE BREATH
OF HIS NOSTRILS.
[2-Samuel 22:17] HE SENT FROM ABOVE, HE TOOK ME; HE DREW ME OUT OF MANY WATERS;
We have interpreted these verses or
verses that are very similar to these in our Commentary to Psalms 18.
http://britam.org/psalms/psalms18.html
It was the way of David to identify with all of Israel past and present and
future, and to identify with them wherever they were. The Power of David was far
more widespread than is generally acknowledged. All of his kingdom and the
subject thereof were in the yes of David his agents for whom he felt concern. He
identified with them and miracles that occurred to them were in his eyes done
for him.
[2-Samuel 22:18] HE DELIVERED ME FROM MY STRONG ENEMY, AND FROM THEM THAT HATED
ME: FOR THEY WERE TOO STRONG FOR ME.
[2-Samuel 22:19] THEY PREVENTED ME IN THE DAY OF MY CALAMITY: BUT THE LORD WAS
MY STAY.
<<DAY OF MY CALAMITY: Hebrew "Yom [day]
Aidi
[of my calamity]".
This word "aid" seems to connote a day or time of disaster but it could
originally have meant no more than simply "a time". The Hebrew "dy"
also connotes regularity or time or sufficiency. There may be a relationship
with the English "day".
When I first came across the word "aid" I automatically linked with the Latin
"ides" since many Latin words are also similar to Hebrew ones. I even considered
the possibility that the Hebrew had borrowed if from the Latin until I found it
mentioned in the Bible.
A closer examination however makes this possibility of a link between the two
words somewhat doubtful.
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/ides1.html
<<The soothsayer's warning to
Julius Caesar,
"Beware the Ides of March," has forever imbued that date with a sense of
foreboding. But in Roman times the expression "Ides of March" did not
necessarily evoke a dark mood; it
was simply the standard way of saying "March 15."
[2-Samuel 22:20] HE BROUGHT ME FORTH ALSO INTO A LARGE PLACE: HE DELIVERED ME,
BECAUSE HE DELIGHTED IN ME.
When we are in trouble we feel "hedged
in" and constrained. The Hebrew word for "trouble" is "Tsar" which literally
means "border, constraint". Release from whatever oppresses us is like being
let out into a wide space where we can go wherever we like. This also has a
physical dimension. As someone who has been incarcerated on a few occasion for
minor misdemeanors (or no misdemeanor at all) I can testify to that!
God releases us into wide spaces. He sets us free.
[2-Samuel 22:21] THE LORD REWARDED ME ACCORDING TO MY RIGHTEOUSNESS: ACCORDING
TO THE CLEANNESS OF MY HANDS HATH HE RECOMPENSED ME.
In the end God rewards us according to
our deeds.
THE CLEANNESS OF MY HANDS: It happens that a person leads a relatively good life
and endeavors to do what is right. For a long time it may sometimes appears as
if one's lifestyle is unappreciated and unrewarded. From such a state of mind
there develops a vulnerability to succumb to temptation. Alternately temptation
springs upon us when we are in exceptional circumstances. If we overcome under
such circumstances we will be rewarded. This is what it means by "cleanness of
hands".
[2-Samuel 22:2 FOR I HAVE KEPT THE WAYS OF THE LORD, AND HAVE NOT WICKEDLY
DEPARTED FROM MY GOD.
David could testify about himself since
on the whole it was true even though David too on one occasion had succumbed to
temptation.
BECAUSE DAVID DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE LORD, AND TURNED NOT
ASIDE FROM ANY THING THAT HE COMMANDED HIM ALL THE DAYS OF HIS LIFE, SAVE ONLY
IN THE MATTER OF URIAH
THE HITTITE [1-Kings 15:5].
[2-Samuel 22:23] FOR ALL HIS JUDGMENTS WERE BEFORE ME: AND AS FOR HIS STATUTES,
I DID NOT DEPART FROM THEM.
[2-Samuel 22:24] I WAS ALSO UPRIGHT BEFORE HIM, AND HAVE KEPT MYSELF FROM MINE
INIQUITY.
MINE INIQUITY: Each one of us has their
own inclination or weakness that we should be aware of and keep guard against.
Our own peculiar vulnerability may not always be the same as that of others. Be
on your guard. Be your own master and give an account to yourself. Do not shame
yourself in your own eyes. We all know what we can and cannot do and where we
are liable to go.
[2-Samuel 22:25] THEREFORE THE LORD HATH RECOMPENSED ME ACCORDING TO MY
RIGHTEOUSNESS; ACCORDING TO MY CLEANNESS IN HIS EYE SIGHT.
God knows even if we do not. Even if we
do not own up to what we could do for could or could have restrained ourselves
from doing for evil the Almighty knows and keeps an account.
[2-Samuel 22:26] WITH THE MERCIFUL THOU WILT SHEW THYSELF MERCIFUL, AND WITH THE
UPRIGHT MAN THOU WILT SHEW THYSELF UPRIGHT.
UPRIGHT MAN: Hebrew "gibor
tamim"
which can also be rendered as "innocent warrior".
The word "tam" in Hebrew (rendered here as "Upright") means "innocent, pure". It
is also used for animals. A "shor
tam" is a bull not known to attack animals or humans, i.e. "tame". This is
probably where the English word "tame" comes from.
[2-Samuel 22:27] WITH THE PURE THOU WILT SHEW THYSELF PURE; AND WITH THE FROWARD
THOU WILT SHEW THYSELF UNSAVOURY.
[2-Samuel 22:28] AND THE AFFLICTED PEOPLE THOU WILT SAVE: BUT THINE EYES ARE
UPON THE HAUGHTY, THAT THOU MAYEST BRING THEM DOWN.
[2-Samuel 22:29] FOR THOU ART MY LAMP, O LORD: AND THE LORD WILL LIGHTEN MY
DARKNESS.
[2-Samuel 22:30] FOR BY THEE I HAVE RUN THROUGH A TROOP: BY MY GOD HAVE I LEAPED
OVER A WALL.
A person like David or a soldier of
David would have been Divinely inspired to do great deeds. Very many of us have
been aware on certain occasions that great deeds that we would not dream of
being capable of are sometimes possible. Fear however and an all too vivid
awareness of our own restraints keeps us back. In the service of David such
inhibitions may not have been felt. To enter such service would have been a key
to adventure and never-ending exultation.
[2-Samuel 22:31] AS FOR GOD, HIS WAY IS PERFECT; THE WORD OF THE LORD IS TRIED:
HE IS A BUCKLER TO ALL THEM THAT TRUST IN HIM.
[2-Samuel 22:3 FOR WHO IS GOD, SAVE THE LORD? AND WHO IS A ROCK, SAVE OUR GOD?
[2-Samuel 22:33] GOD IS MY STRENGTH AND POWER: AND HE MAKETH MY WAY PERFECT.
[2-Samuel 22:34] HE MAKETH MY FEET LIKE HINDS' FEET: AND SETTETH ME UPON MY HIGH
PLACES.
[2-Samuel 22:35] HE TEACHETH MY HANDS TO WAR; SO THAT A BOW OF STEEL IS BROKEN
BY MINE ARMS.
God trains us to fight. He instills
within us an instinct to react and initiate on the field of battle.
STEEL: The Hebrew here is "nechushah"
meaning "copper" or "bronze". In Ancient Times an important weapon was the
composite bow which may have originated in the Land of Israel.
The composite bow was usually made of horns and sinew melted into wood creating
a weapon that combined high power with a smaller size. The main advantage of
such a weapon was for archery on horseback. The insertion of pieces of bronze in
such a weapon may have lent it extra power.
ALTERNATELY, "Nechushah"
(translated as STEEL and interpreted by us above as "copper" or "bronze") may be
related to the word "Nachash"
meaning "snake, serpent".
It could refer to a high-powered bow of certain shape.
Egyptian and Scythian Composite bows were presumably similar to those used by Israelites.
Pictures of these bows do suggest the shape of a snake and they could require a
great deal of strength to draw them.
|
Egypt
Com-
posite
|
Scythia
Recon-
structured
|
Cf.
"Projectile Type Weapons of Ancient Egypt" by Troy Fox
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/projectileweapons.htm
Cf.
"Projectile Type Weapons of Ancient Egypt" by Troy Fox
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/projectileweapons.htm
<<The composite bow was
adopted because of the inherent limitations of the simple bow. Achieving
greatest possible range with a bow as small and light as possible was of utmost
importance. The maximal draw length possible was the length of the archer's
arm. A bow which, while unstrung curved forwards, was under an initial tension.
The draw weight was thus dramatically increased. This could not be done with a
simple wooden bow. The wood had to be supported, otherwise it would break. This
was achieved by adding horn to the belly of the bow (the part of the bow facing
the archer) which would be compressed during the draw and sinew to the back
which could, thanks to its elasticity, withstand the tension. All these layers
were glued together and covered with birch bark to protect them.
<<The composite bow was
adopted because of the inherent limitations of the simple bow. Achieving
greatest possible range with a bow as small and light as possible was of utmost
importance. The maximal draw length possible was the length of the archer's
arm. A bow which, while unstrung curved forwards, was under an initial tension.
The draw weight was thus dramatically increased. This could not be done with a
simple wooden bow. The wood had to be supported, otherwise it would break. This
was achieved by adding horn to the belly of the bow (the part of the bow facing
the archer) which would be compressed during the draw and sinew to the back
which could, thanks to its elasticity, withstand the tension. All these layers
were glued together and covered with birch bark to protect them.
<<However, the composite bows needed more care than simple bows, and were much
more difficult and expensive to produce. They were more vulnerable to moisture,
requiring them to be covered. They had to be unstrung when not in use and
re-strung for action, a feat which required not a little force and generally the
help of a second person.
BROKEN: Hebrew "nichat"
which may also connote "brought down" or "drawn back".
God givers the warrior strength of will to draw and fire a bow of bronze.
[2-Samuel 22:36] THOU HAST ALSO GIVEN ME THE SHIELD OF THY SALVATION: AND THY
GENTLENESS HATH MADE ME GREAT.
THY GENTLENESS: Hebrew "anotcha".
This could mean "gentleness" (as translated in the
KJV)
or humility. Yehudah
Kiel ("Daat
Mikra")
quotes from different sources that explain the expression to be derived from "ana"
meaning "answer" which came to mean "war-cry". The war-cry or God or the word of
God have made me great.
MADE ME GREAT: Hebrew "tarbaini"
from the root "RB"
meaning "increase.
Calling out in the Name of God as HE gave me the ability to do has increased my
ability.
[2-Samuel 22:37] THOU HAST ENLARGED MY STEPS UNDER ME; SO THAT MY FEET DID NOT
SLIP.
[2-Samuel 22:38] I HAVE PURSUED MINE ENEMIES, AND DESTROYED THEM; AND TURNED NOT
AGAIN UNTIL I HAD CONSUMED THEM.
[2-Samuel 22:39] AND I HAVE CONSUMED THEM, AND WOUNDED THEM, THAT THEY COULD NOT
ARISE: YEA, THEY ARE FALLEN UNDER MY FEET.
The benefits of many victories are lost
because the victors do not complete their victory and let the enemy slip away to
fight another day.
[2-Samuel 22:40] FOR THOU HAST GIRDED ME WITH STRENGTH TO BATTLE: THEM THAT ROSE
UP AGAINST ME HAST THOU SUBDUED UNDER ME.
[2-Samuel 22:41] THOU HAST ALSO GIVEN ME THE NECKS OF MINE ENEMIES, THAT I MIGHT
DESTROY THEM THAT HATE ME.
[2-Samuel 22:4 THEY LOOKED, BUT THERE WAS NONE TO SAVE; EVEN UNTO THE LORD, BUT
HE ANSWERED THEM NOT.
[2-Samuel 22:43] THEN DID I BEAT THEM AS SMALL AS THE DUST OF THE EARTH, I DID
STAMP THEM AS THE MIRE OF THE STREET, AND DID SPREAD THEM ABROAD.
[2-Samuel 22:44] THOU ALSO HAST DELIVERED ME FROM THE STRIVINGS OF MY PEOPLE,
THOU HAST KEPT ME TO BE HEAD OF THE HEATHEN: A PEOPLE WHICH I KNEW NOT SHALL
SERVE ME.
[2-Samuel 22:45] STRANGERS SHALL SUBMIT THEMSELVES UNTO ME: AS SOON AS THEY
HEAR, THEY SHALL BE OBEDIENT UNTO ME.
[2-Samuel 22:46] STRANGERS SHALL FADE AWAY, AND THEY SHALL BE AFRAID OUT OF
THEIR CLOSE PLACES.
[2-Samuel 22:47] THE LORD LIVETH; AND BLESSED BE MY ROCK; AND EXALTED BE THE GOD
OF THE ROCK OF MY SALVATION.
[2-Samuel 22:48] IT IS GOD THAT AVENGETH ME, AND THAT BRINGETH DOWN THE PEOPLE
UNDER ME.
THE PEOPLE: Hebrew "amim"
in the plural.
[2-Samuel 22:49] AND THAT BRINGETH ME FORTH FROM MINE ENEMIES: THOU ALSO HAST
LIFTED ME UP ON HIGH ABOVE THEM THAT ROSE UP AGAINST ME: THOU HAST DELIVERED ME
FROM THE VIOLENT MAN.
[2-Samuel 22:50] THEREFORE I WILL GIVE THANKS UNTO THEE, O LORD, AMONG THE
HEATHEN, AND I WILL SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME.
[2-Samuel 22:51] HE IS THE TOWER OF SALVATION FOR HIS KING: AND SHEWETH MERCY TO
HIS ANOINTED, UNTO DAVID, AND TO HIS SEED FOR EVERMORE.
TO HIS SEED: This and similar verses
lend strength to the understanding that the Eternal Dynasty of David will always
rule over David.
See:
"Ruled by Sons of David"
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Attributes/roleDavid.html
