2 Samuel 22:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.

NIV: David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

NASB: Now David spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day that the Lord had saved him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

CSB: David spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from the grasp of all his enemies and from the grasp of Saul.

NLT: David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul.

KJV: 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:

NKJV: Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.

Second Samuel 22:1–4 introduces the psalm David wrote to describe his lifelong relationship with God. No matter the difficult circumstance, David called out to God and God answered by rescuing him. God is David's salvation, safe place, strength, and refuge. The psalm continues with metaphorical descriptions of the circumstances in which God saved and blessed David. Second Samuel 22:2–4 is a variation of Psalm 18:2–3.

Through a psalm, David gives God credit for his life. David faithfully relied on God. In response, God rescued him from violent men, internal rebellion, and foreign armies. God strengthened David in battle, secured his throne, and made foreign nations serve him. God did so because David was blameless: David did sin greatly, but he also deeply repented his sin. David praises God for His love in establishing his kingdom for himself and his descendants. Second Samuel 23:1–7 speaks more about God's covenant with David. Psalm 18 records a slightly altered version of this chapter.

Second Samuel 22 is part of an epilogue. When originally written, there was a single book, which was later split into 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. This chapter begins to close out the story so far. This is the center of a mirror-like structure, called a "chiasm," seen in 2 Samuel 21—24. Despite Saul's sins (2 Samuel 21:1–14) and David's sins (2 Samuel 24), God gives Israel victory over their enemies (2 Samuel 21:15–22; 23:8–39). Second Samuel 22:1—23:7 describes how God used David in this. God rescued David from his enemies so he could fight for Israel and lead well. That blessing continues in the Davidic Covenant which is fulfilled in Jesus (2 Samuel 23:5). Psalm 18 is an edited version of 2 Samuel 22.

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 4/30/2026 6:10:22 PM